Sophie Straat - Smartlap is Not Dead (LP)

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EAN code : 8720693686238
Carrier : LP
Release Date : 10-3-2023

Dutch protest singer Sophie Straat (real name Sophie Schwartz) grew up in the late 90s in the Pijp in Amsterdam and writes, together with her companion and partner Wieger, about social and societal injustices such as the effects of gentrification, feminism and police violence. In addition to her role as interpreter of the levenslied, Sophie is an artist and makes socially engaged work.

Despite starting during the pandemic, Sophie Straat had a lightning start to her career. She won an Edison in the 'Dutch' category for her debut EP 'T is niet mijn Schuld', with the jury praising her "topicality and urgency". She had a festival summer hit with Tweede Kamer together with Goldband in a summer where no festivals were allowed to take place. She played with Andre Hazes (jr.) in the Ziggo Dome, with Donnie in AFAS Live, with Willeke Alberti in the Olympic Stadium and with The Opposites in the Gashouder. Her life songs have now collected more than 5 million streams and Sophie Straat has played at festivals from Oerol to Best Kept Secret and from Wildeburg to Lowlands. In no time, she has proven to be the undisputed queen of a new generation of protest singers.

On March 3, debut album Smartlap Is Niet Dood will be released, on which the traditional life song of the EP is supplemented with more modern pop music. What remains is the problems that are sung about: sexism, racism, inequality and abuse of power are themes that are discussed. For example, recent single Mannen is about mansplaining and the patriarchy and new single Mooier Als Je Lacht is about street intimidation. Sophie says about this in Vrij Nederland (Dec '22): "My goal is to spread a message and I notice that songs help with that because people sing along to them easily. I cannot convey my message more literally. Sophie Straat's music must be art, not a sermon. We avoid the risk of a didactic tirade by using humor. The songs must above all be fun to listen to, and for us to play. It's about the message, but it is a nice side effect that I love to bring that message live."

Tracklist:

• 1. Smartlap is Not Dead
• 2. The Forgiveness
• 3. House of Representatives
• 4. More Beautiful When You Smile
• 5. My Club
• 6. Dad
• 7. Men
• 8. Freedom, Equality, Sisterhood
• 9. Orange Above
• 10. Never Enough
• 11. What Sucks Being a Cop
• 12. The City is Ours