Indie Rocker, Sonia V. has captured listeners around the world with her indie rock vibe by taking modern rock into a more cutting edge territory. Sonia's music has a sound of it's own as an unmistakable female rock voice that is unique among other artists in the industry. With a musical style that captivates modern pop culture and MTV viewers, Sonia is often described as "a Rock Chick with attitude". Although her roots are in gospel music, Sonia's unique sound isn't the typical package you'd expect, allowing her to reach a broader audience with her music. Sonia states "Despite all the raised eyebrows I've seen throughout my life, I have learned to just be me, and that I'm alright that way.
I grew up singing in church and traveling the country singing gospel music with my family every week of my life." Sonia says. "Although I wrote & sang a lot of worship and church music, I soon realized the stuff coming out of me wasn't "churchy" sounding and was relating to people who didn't really go to church . I began to feel a call and vision to write & perform music that would touch people who don't go to church and don't believe in Christianity for that matter, but still needed someone to reach them. I wanted my music to be accessible to anyone, yet retain its message and help people find a pathway to God, bring hope, peace and healing in their lives. I think God has given me a unique packaging that most people don't expect from a Christian. I have never been mistaken for "normal" and once you catch a glimpse of who I am, you'll never forget me. It's the wild hair, crazy quirks, and rock-lovin' weirdo that I am. I think everyone just needs to know they're alright for who they are no matter what anybody else thinks."
Out of this vision and passion, Sonia released the much acclaimed "a thing or 2" which gained national recognition by the music industry and garnered the award for "Contemporary Christian Album of the Year" in the 2006 Independent Music Awards sponsored by Music Resource Group making Sonia V. one of the hottest independent artists this year and "a thing or 2" one of the best independent album releases in the country. Sonia V's album was selected by a prestigious panel of judges including Nora Jones, Melissa Ethridge, Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones), Billboard Magazine and many others. This year marked the largest number of album entries MRG has received to date, making this a very honorable recognition. The Music Resource Group distributed "a thing or 2" to all Borders stores and released the radio single "Tell Me" to radio nationwide in early 2006 by the leading radio promotion company, The Planetary Group. A promotion and publicity campaign are underway to promote Sonia's album throughout 2006 to the music industry. "a thing or 2" has crossover appeal and has hit the charts in both the Christian and secular arena taking Sonia to number one on several stations, acquired rave reviews, countless media interviews, and spotlights.
Also awarded the honor of being named "Female Breakout Artist of 2005" by the American Christian Music Awards and featured on the cover of the American Christian Music Journal, Sonia received international attention with her release, "a thing or 2", charting at #1 on countless radio stations worldwide and receiving raving reviews for the Modern Rock/Alternative release that has been prominently featured on countless media sites, radio stations, magazines, and radio shows across the globe. Sonia received recognition by the VH1 benefit, "Song of the Year Contest" for her exceptional song writing ability for the song "A Thing Or 2", the title track off the release, and was recognized as one of the "must hear artists" by the Song of the Year panel. Sonia competed against songwriters from all over the world for this honor. Song of the Year is an international song writing contest supporting VH-1's Save the Music Foundation. The Song of the Year judges are some of the biggest names in music including many Grammy Award winners. International Songwriting Competition selected the title track "a thing or 2" to the semi-finals round of judging in the Pop/Top 40 Category for Song of the Year. Yet another songwriting honor emerged from "International Songwriting Competition" which selected the title track "a thing or 2" for the semi-finals round of judging in the Pop/Top 40 Category for International Song of the Year. "Billboard Song Competition" highly praises "Superstar" in critique. Sonia also received the award for "CCM Song of 2002" by the Gospel Music Association proving her extraordinary talent is worthy of being recognized by some of the most prominent music organizations. In addition, Sonia was also nominated for Female Rock/Alternative Vocalist of the Year in January 2005 by CMCentral.com along with well known artists Plumb, Charity Von and Sarah Kelly.
Sonia's "a thing or 2" CD release covers cutting edge modern rock territory and includes all original tunes penned by Sonia and a few music friends including producer Chris Shandrow (The Frantics, Goodbye Audio, Miss Angie, Stereo Deluxx), independent artist friend Teresa Garcia and Jerome Fontamillas of Switchfoot. The first single and title track "A Thing Or 2", has already made it's mark on Rock, Alternative and College radio charts hitting #1 on several stations and hitting #1 on the National Modern Rock/Alternative Singles Chart along with "Alive" co-written with Jerome Fontamillas of Switchfoot which debuted at #1 on the ACMJ Modern Rock Charts it's first week out. "Superstar" has crossed over into the secular radio market and has also hit #1 in numerous individual radio stations internationally.
Full of passion, originality and ready to rock, Sonia V. is making noise in the independent music scene and has turned a few heads in the industry by bringing her music messages to thousands across the globe through her independent releases and with her explosive internationally syndicated hit radio show, "The Indie Rock Show" in which Sonia brings the best independent rock talent to the airwaves each week as host and producer of the show. "The Indie Rock Show" received honors by the American Christian Music Awards with an award for "outstanding rock radio show" for the 2004 awards and nomination for "Favorite Syndicated non-commercial radio show of 2005". Carrying the torch for independent artists everywhere, all the horn tooting for others has not left Sonia in the shadows. Her own music has developed a strong grassroots following that has turned into an impressive professional status for an independent artist, charting alongside of some of the heaviest rockers in the music biz like Switchfoot, P.O. D., Fallout Boy, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Nickelback, Anberlin, Kutless and others.
After touring the globe with the success of the "a thing or 2" CD release, Sonia is coming back full force with a 2009 release entitled "Oh Sweet Tragedy - anthems from the ashes" which features Michael Sweet (Stryper/Boston) on guitars and a killer duet, Tracy Ferrie on bass (Stryper, Plumb, SonicFlood, Guardian), Derek Kerswill on drums (Unearth) and McKendree Augustas (SonicFlood) on keys and effects that is even harder edged rock with songs that are destined for success. Co-produced with phenomenal producer Kenny Lewis (Stryper, Michael Sweet, Mtv's Real World -Confederate Yankee, Slaughter, Freddie Jackson, and more).
Discography
"Oh Sweet Tragedy - anthems from the ashes" - Atomic Planed Records 2009
"a thing or 2" - Atomic Planet Records 2005
"Passion of My Soul" - Independent worship EP 2002
"For Your Glory" - worship project 2001
"Truth Comes Out" Project - 2003
Awards:
»"Contemporary Christian Album of the Year" - Independent Music Awards 2006
»"Female Breakout Artist of the Year" - American Christian Music Awards 2005
»VH1 Song of the Year - "a thing or 2"
»International Songwriting Competition selects "a thing or 2" for Semi-finals Pop/Top 40 Song of the Year!
»Billboard World Song Contest - "Superstar"
»Gospel Music Association - CCM Song of the Year - "You are My Life"
»Nominated Female Alternative Rock Artist - CMCentral
»#1 Alternative/Modern Rock Album - ACMJ
»Sonia V. was the host and producer of "The Indie Rock Show - an internationally syndicated radio show airing the hottest independent rock artists on the planet! The Indie Rock Show was awarded
"Outstanding Modern Rock/College Radio Show of 2004" by the American Christian Music Awards! and Nominated "Favorite Syndicated Non-Commercial Radio Show of 2005"
Sonia V. just finished rockin' the stage with Stryper in Finland. Check out the photos in the photo gallery!
Get the Award Winning CD
"a thing or 2" by Sonia V.
ON SALE HERE ONLY - $10 (plus $2 shipping)!
