With her powerful voice, fearless lyrics, and vibrant energy, Sone is quickly becoming a name to watch. Her latest single, “Rollercoaster”, isn’t just a pop anthem—it’s a rallying cry for self-acceptance, emotional freedom, and unapologetic joy. From going viral for singing opera in Paris restaurants to recording music that reflects a life lived across continents and cultures, Sone’s artistic journey is as dynamic and unexpected as the title of her track suggests. In this candid conversation with Urbanista Magazine, Sone opens up about finding confidence, embracing her “too much”-ness, and using music as a tool for healing and expression. Whether she’s laughing loudly, singing in the streets, or turning vulnerability into empowerment, one thing’s clear: Sone is here to ride her rollercoaster—and she’s inviting us all along for the ride.
You’ve described “Rollercoaster” as an anthem for self-acceptance—what do you hope people feel when they hear it?
I hope that when people listen to this song, they feel empowered and excited. It’s okay to dance down the street, laugh really loud, band bursts out into song. Be whoever you want, and if someone is bothered by it, then that’s their problem.
That lyric—“If you don’t like my rollercoaster, go ride a different one”—has become a statement. Have you always had that confidence, or did it take time to claim?
That definitely took time to claim. Growing up, I was a loud kid, I had a lot of energy, and I was extremely talkative, which was not very appreciated by other kids. I was the weird one for sure. I went to behavioural therapy and trained myself to be more “chill”. As I was growing up, I just didn’t want to be held down anymore- why do I have to hide my personality in order for others to be more “comfortable”. Maybe those aren’t the people I want to be around- I want to be around those who accept me and laugh loudly with me, experience life with me.
As someone who grew up between cultures and languages, how has your identity shaped the music you create today?
Every culture has shown me a different side of myself- if that makes sense. I grew up speaking Russian and English, and then I moved to Germany at 18 and lived there for 6 years, speaking German. Now I’m living in Paris, France. I observed each of these cultures in a different way. American culture brings out the bubbly side of my personality, Russian brings out more of the grounded part of me, German culture brought out a much more deep side of me- and helped me to articulate and communicate my thoughts and feelings, and being in France has taught me to give in to being vulnerable. So in my music, I guess you can kind of see the bubbly side, the grounded side, the deeper side and the vulnerable side.
Going viral for singing opera in restaurants is such a modern origin story. How did social media change your path as an artist?
At the time, I was living in Germany, and I visited Paris over a weekend, which is where the video was shot. After that went viral, I went to Paris more often to shoot more videos, and I actually ended up moving to Paris. That’s where I met Theo, the sound engineer and producer I worked on ‘Rollercoaster’. Social media has opened the doors to so many opportunities. It’s a great way to get to know more artists, musicians, and have a relationship with followers through story and post interactions. It’s so much fun.
You’ve built a loyal following online by being completely yourself—what are the challenges and freedoms of being that vulnerable in front of thousands of people?
I sometimes overthink posts. I am completely myself with my followers, but I have ideas sometimes that I’m insecure about. But I try to remind myself that it’s okay if not everyone likes everything I do- that’s not the point of creating. It’s amazing if people resonate and connect, and if they don’t, that’s okay- I’m still gonna do my thing.
From singing with your grandfather at the Kremlin to releasing singles worldwide, your career has already been a journey. What’s something your younger self would be shocked to know you’ve done?
Oh my gosh. I think she’d be shocked that I learned how to speak German and that I moved to Europe. Also that I write songs and go into a studio and record them. When I was a kid, that’s all I wanted to do, I wanted to record music and perform and be able to say that it was “my song”.
Your music encourages people to embrace their full emotional selves. What advice would you give to someone who feels “too much” in a world that wants them to tone it down?
When someone wants you to tone it down, that is their problem. Maybe they don’t have the ability to tone it up themselves, and they want to bring down your light so they can feel better about themselves. Who knows. If someone tries to ruin the fun for you – screw that. The whole point of being alive is experiencing things and embracing yourself.
How do you stay grounded creatively while navigating the pressures of a growing fan base and public presence?
A lot of long walks and talks to my closest friends and people I trust. Namely, my grandmother. She’s my best friend and guiding light, I have no clue what I’d do without her.
Mental health and emotional expression are core themes in “Rollercoaster.” What role does music play in your own healing and growth?
Writing music and working on my music are the only things that ever help me heal or make me feel better. Music saves me and also helps me to understand myself and the world around me. I have the possibility to express my emotions, and get them out of my system. When I come out the other side of working on a song, I have a new perspective on that emotion or feeling.
What do you want your legacy to be—not just as a singer, but as an artist and storyteller?
When someone wants you to tone it down, that is their problem. Maybe they don’t have the ability to tone it up themselves, and they want to bring down your light so they can feel better about themselves. Who knows. If someone tries to ruin the fun for you – screw that. The whole point of being alive is experiencing things and embracing yourself.
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