Blending the captivating elements of Goth-Rock and Heavy Metal, America’s Sonja emerges as a band that demands your attention. Their music is both compelling and intriguing, making them a must-listen act. In the previous year, the band unleashed their highly acclaimed album, ‘Loud Arriver,’ which resonated deeply with fans. Now, in 2023, Sonja remains fully immersed in their craft, dedicating themselves to relentless songwriting and extensive touring. We had the privilege of securing an exclusive interview with the band’s front woman, Melissa Moore, who graciously shared her insights with us.

THE NWOTHM: How did you all meet and form the band and did any of you have any projects before hand?

Melissa:  All three of us were living in Philly and at some point we all played in the band Woe (at different times) which was a band that started as philly based.  Grzesiek (drums) and myself really shared a similar outlook to rock n roll so eventually it was natural for us to start a band together.  We quickly asked Ben (bass) to join as as we knew what he could deliver musically, on stage and as a person.

THE NWOTHM: And how did you choose the name Sonja?

Melissa: We were originally called Strange Nights, but the lawyer for the rapper Tech N9ne sent us a cease and desist because they owned a label called Strange Music.  They didn’t want anyone else to use the word Strange.  Seems absurd but we couldn’t pay a lawyer to fight this properly so decided on Sonja while hanging out in Prague before playing fest with one of our old bands.

THE NWOTHM: Who were your favourite bands and artists growing up and who influenced the sound of Sonja?

Melissa:  My 3 favourites growing up were Manowar, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, and Iron Maiden.  Some others that had albums which I loved and still love are Celestial Season “Solar Lovers” , Bewitched “Pentagram Prayer” , Dissection “Storm of the Lights Bane”.  I also listened to stuff like Billy Idol and Enya.

THE NWOTHM: Out of all the amazing female vocalists out there was there any one who had a massive influence on your singing?

Melissa: I became obsessed with Lana Del Rey I guess a few years ago and she is my guide as a vocalist. Since we play music that is much louder, there is a subversion of that style that needs to take place for it to work. But she’s the dreary light that I follow.  

THE NWOTHM: And when you are creating your music what lyrical themes do you tend to aim for?

Melissa: Total self exposure and honesty to a terrifying degree.  Giving access to all secrets no matter how vulnerable.  But there is also intense power and fire.  As time progresses and I give less fucks, the level of revealingness will increase.

THE NWOTHM: You guys are from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! What is the metal scene like there?

Melissa: The Philly scene has good energy right now.  I remember growing up there were very few good bands.  Especially very few that had longevity and reach outside of the city.  But now there are too many to many to count.  

THE NWOTHM: In the early days of the band up until your first release Nylon Nights/ Wanting Me Dead, what did you guys get up to? Did you do a lot of shows or mainly focus on writing?

Melissa:  We were so focused on writing and becoming ourselves at those times.  We played very few shows before our album came out.  The only ones we did play were sort of just us testing our ideas.  We weren’t ready to be a live band until recently.  Our actions were just kind of getting from nonexistence into an initial state of being that was something beyond what we had ever seen or were used to. 

THE NWOTHM: The Nylon Nights video is killer being full of energy and uplifting? Can you tell us more about the song and video and what it means to you?

Melissa: When experiencing the uncaring nature of this world that will use us all and throw us out, there is no choice but to tame the human wilderness to your own will and benefit.  The video maybe shows a development of energy in that sense.

THE NWOTHM: Some describe your music as a mix of heavy metal and goth rock? Do you feel the darker things of life have shaped the bands music in any way?

Melissa: Yes for sure.  I mean we strongly come from a black metal background so when we are continuing our rock n roll lives there must always be darkness.  My childhood band was called Solace in the Shadows.  It just feels like home.

THE NWOTHM: Last year you released “Loud Arriver” which seems to have been a massive hit with fans! Can you tell us more about the writing and production of the album?

Melissa: The writing spanned over the course of many years as we searched for ourselves and our true sound.  The vision that we had was strong from the beginning, but we did not rush the process of fully and powerfully realizing it.  Everything that this first album has turned into is exactly what we set out to do.  Even the recording was a long and very detailed process, but we needed to take any amount of time to get the result we absolutely required.  

THE NWOTHM: Do you each have a favourite track from the album?

Melissa: I think the boys like “Pink Fog” the most but for me it’s “Fuck, Then Die”

THE NWOTHM: What is next for Sonja? Any big shows coming up you would like to mention?

Melissa: Touring, writing, everything. We have a number of fests to finish our 2023 and then 2024 looks like our live presence will be massive.  We are deep in the darkness writing alluring music.  I can’t say specifically what I’ve been up to, but I am caught up in these underworld ordeals which will influence our lyrics for the next album.

THE NWOTHM: And where can fans buy your music and merch?

Bandcamp is our hub right now

Bandcamp: https://sonjaband.bandcamp.com/album/loud-arriver

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sonjabooking