Sophia St. Helen drops “Radio Silence” and connects with us to reveal the story behind the haunting track
- STAFF
- Jun 30
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 1
By: Staff
“Radio Silence” is a breathtaking masterclass in emotional depth, vocal power, and cinematic songwriting.
We recently discovered "Radio Silence," the latest release from the talented Sophia St. Helen.
With vocals that are both ethereal and commanding, the artist delivers a performance that feels timeless, effortlessly blending strength and vulnerability in every note. The song itself, “Radio Silence,” is a slow-building wave of emotion: haunting, cinematic, and tender in all the right ways. It carries a quiet intensity, wrapping you in its atmosphere and refusing to let go.
The pairing of her voice and the song’s emotional depth is nothing short of stunning, and after experiencing the track, we knew we had to reach out. We wanted to understand the vision behind the music, the creative choices, and the story that shaped it all.
The conversation that followed was inspiring, intimate, and full of insight, and now, we’re excited to share it with you.
Dive into our exclusive interview with the artist behind “Radio Silence.”
Begin Interview:
Hello, Sophia St. Helen, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q: For the fans meeting you for the first time, is Sophia St. Helen your given name or a stage name? What inspired you to choose that for your artist persona?
A: Sophia St. Helen is my stage name, although Sophia is my real first name and Helen is my middle name. I’m Greek, and I have a very long last name that people often mispronounced and misspelled growing up, so I wanted something that felt like me but was a little easier to remember. I also wanted a name that sounded like a real last name—something with a little weight to it. When I landed on St. Helen, it just clicked. It felt powerful and a little mythic, which matched the kind of mood I like to create with my music.
Q: Your voice is incredible. That powerful, airy quality combined with such control reminds us of the best vocalists out there. Comparing you to your mentioned influence, Florence and the Machine, doesn’t feel like an exaggeration; it feels spot on. When did you first realize you had this talent, and what was a defining moment that pushed you to record your voice and share it with the world?
A: Oh wow, thank you — that means a lot. My voice has evolved quite a bit over the years. I’ve always resonated with expressive, breathy vocal styles, but it wasn’t until I started vocal lessons that I really began to understand how to shape and expand my sound.
When I was younger, someone once told me not to take lessons because it would “ruin my unique voice,” and I unfortunately believed that for a while. But when I finally started vocal training, I realized it gave me something even more valuable: choice. Now, while I often lean toward a quiet, intimate delivery, I can also tap into something more powerful when the song calls for it. Radio Silence was one of those songs. It needed that intensity to fully express the story, so I trusted that instinct.
I think the first time I realized I had a real connection to singing was around 16. I had a guitar teacher who heard me sing and told me he thought I had something special — that I should share it. It was the encouragement I needed. That small moment gave me the confidence to start singing for people, which eventually led to songwriting, performing, and recording my music.
Q: What was it like working with your collaborators: Dimitris Stasinos (arranger, producer, guitars, keyboards, percussion), Vasilis Alexopoulos (engineer, mixing), and Vasilis Nissopoulos (co-producer, bass)? How did you find this team?
A: They’re truly the best — I feel really lucky to work with them. I found them one at a time, starting with Dimitris Stasinos, who was actually my guitar teacher in college. Over the years, he became my go-to sounding board, and it naturally evolved into him taking on the role of producer. It works so well because we have a close relationship and he really understands my vision.
Dimitris also introduced me to a lot of people in the music scene, and together we found the right collaborators for this project. Vasilis Alexopoulos (our engineer and mixer) and Vasilis Nissopoulos (co-producer and bassist) are both incredibly skilled and each bring so much to the table. I trust all of them to contribute their own ideas and perspectives, which makes the process collaborative, dynamic, and really fun.
Q: Do you see “Radio Silence” as a natural progression of your musical journey, or were there specific personal or musical experiences that influenced this direction?
A: Not exactly. The direction was really shaped by the song itself. It’s slightly more polished and pop-forward than what I usually make, but I really loved the song and I’m proud of how it turned out. I tend to write based on instinct, and when something comes through that moves me or feels strong — even if it’s not the style I thought I was heading toward — I follow it. Radio Silence had a certain weight and clarity from the beginning, and my team and I just focused on serving the song and letting it lead.
Q: Can you tell us the story behind the song? We heard it originated as a love song but evolved into something deeper — a meditation on loneliness and the longing to be heard. How did the phrase “radio silence” become the emotional anchor for this piece?
A: Radio Silence was definitely a song that evolved over time. I wrote most of the music in one sitting at the piano, just playing around and singing mumbled phrases without real lyrics. I really liked the feel of it but kept it in my back pocket while I focused on other things.
Over the next few weeks, certain lines would pop into my head. I remember being on an airplane when I scribbled down, “I’d never felt a fire burn quite so bright, as when you looked into my heart right through my eyes.” I thought, okay, maybe it’s a love song. But when I brought it back to the piano and tried writing it that way, it just wasn’t clicking. The song didn’t seem to want to go there.
Then one day, as I was singing through the sections again, I hit this melody and sang out, “radio silence, radio silence.” It felt completely right. That phrase landed in a way nothing else had, and it became the emotional anchor. I scrapped most of what I had written — except that airplane line, which stayed but shifted perspectives — and from there, the song came together quickly. It turned into something about disconnection and longing, the ache of not being heard. Once I understood that, the rest came easily.
Q: Which instrument typically serves as the foundation for your songwriting process? And how does it influence the emotional tone or direction of your finished work?
A: Most of the time, I write on acoustic guitar. It’s been the foundation of a lot of my songs. Radio Silence, though, was piano-based. I love writing on piano because it pulls me out of the habits I fall into with guitar and really influences the emotional tone and direction of a song.
There’s something a little more grandiose, maybe even dramatic, about the path the piano takes me down. With guitar, I tend to keep things soft and close. It can almost act as a kind of shield. But piano pushes me into bolder dynamics and gives the song a different kind of emotional weight.
Q: Is there a song from your early years of listening to music that you’d love to cover in the studio — something that still connects you to who you are as an artist today?
A: Ooh, fun question. One song I love covering at shows is Jolene. I know it’s a popular choice, but I’ve come up with a version that still honors Dolly while bringing in a bit of grit — kind of a middle ground between her original and the White Stripes version. It feels like its own thing, and I like that it touches on all the genres I love: folk, Americana, and rock. Maybe I’ll record it one day.
Q: We feel like we’ve learned so much about you from this one song, and that’s such a powerful way to connect with fans. But what’s one surprising fact about you that people might not expect?
A: People are usually surprised to learn that I play competitive backgammon at international tournaments. It’s a pretty niche world, but I really enjoy it.
Q: On both a business and emotional level, in a world where the music industry can be so demanding, have you ever had moments where you questioned continuing? What motivates you to push through those times?
A: Sure, the industry can be tough. But I’ve never seriously considered quitting. Music has always felt non-negotiable to me. Of course there are hard days, but that comes with the territory. I just keep going because I know why I’m doing it.
Q: Which top three live music venues or festivals are on your dream list to perform at one day?
A: Tiny Desk, Coachella, and Red Rocks. Those are what came to mind first!
Q: What part of the music-making process is the most stressful for you: the creation, the recording, or the actual release day? Why?
A: Easy. The release and promotion. Making music is the fun part. It’s creative, inspiring, and energizing. But putting it out into the world, figuring out how to market it, and hoping it reaches people — that’s where the pressure comes in.
Q: What’s the most inspirational thing a fan — or anyone — has ever told you about your music?
A: Ooh, I have a couple, but one really stayed with me. Someone once told me that one of my songs, Until Clouds Appear, helps her remember and connect with her daughter who passed away. That kind of message just puts everything into perspective.
Around the same time, someone else told me that the same song had become their song with their fiancé, and that they dance to it together at home. Those two messages couldn’t be more different, but they both taught me something really important — once you release music, it’s not really yours anymore. People make it their own, in ways you could never predict. That’s when it becomes something real. Not just a song, but a part of someone’s life. That shift is powerful to witness.
Q: Your energy feels so warm and magnetic, and your music reflects that. What’s one fun or unexpected fact about you that your fans might not know?
A: Aw! Well, despite the fact that my songs tend to be kind of sad and dark, I’m actually really fun and happy in real life! Lol.
Q: We can't thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what's next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A: Thank you! I really appreciate your thorough questions. You can look out for a single coming out at the end of the summer — and perhaps these singles are leading up to something bigger. I hope you’ll stick around to find out. Thanks again!
Sophia St. Helen, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Sophia St. Helen’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!
