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Soulful singer and former Bahrain Bayan School student Sonia Alsowaiegh, who has been sharing her struggles and emotional journeys through her music, has joined a festival in Dubai aimed at celebrating women.
Femme Fest 2021 features an array of female DJs, musicians and panellists marking March’s international women’s month through their love of art, words and sound.
“I was beyond excited to join this amazing movement,” said the content creator for a clothing brand in Dubai. “And since it also went digital due to Covid-19, it felt special that my friends and family in Bahrain could watch it too!
“I’m excited to be taking part on this platform that celebrates all types of women. As a woman, it’s hard to express myself and be vulnerable at times when you have to be strong and I aim to change that stereotype with my music.”
Sonia, 26, of Bahraini and Saudi heritage, describes her Neo-soul, Rhythm and Blues music style as vulnerable with lyrics that express a lot of pain, confusion and emotions. In fact, her EP Adulting and Adapting, which she performed over the weekend live and virtually in the festivities, is near and dear to her heart because she wrote it during a difficult time.
“It was written at a time where I felt lost and didn’t know what the next step of my life would be,” said Sonia who graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK in digital media and communications. “I wrote three of the songs between May and August last year.
“Those months were very hard for me mentally and the only way I could let those emotions out was through writing and recording. Once life started to pick up again, I felt motivated to create the album cover and release it on all platforms last October.
“This EP discusses all the hardships of adapting to adulthood and all the emotions that come along with it.”
Sonia started singing at a young age, taking vocal lessons at 12 and auditionining for several musicals in Bahrain. She even joined competitions such as Bahrain’s Got Talent twice, where she sang covers. She has performed at Market 338 and in her school’s talent shows.
She posted her covers on YouTube up until she moved to Manchester where she took a four year break that she says pushed her back.
“I got into an insecure cycle with music and felt like I wasn’t good enough until I learned the lesson that I need to make music for me and not for anyone-else,” said Sonia.
“It’s not a matter of taste but expression. That is what inspired me to release my first official single called Mello in 2018. After that, I dedicated my time to writing and recording which led to the release of my EP.
“With all the hardships of adjusting to being an adult and finding peace in a very busy world, music grounds me and helps me express myself in ways I could never do.”
Sonia grew up in a musical household. Music always played in the background and her father would sing to her and the family every night. She always knew she’d become a singer and says her biggest inspirations are her mum and sisters.
“I’m happy to have a beautiful support system that allows me to express myself the way I do and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she added. “I’m waiting for things to cool down with cases so that I can come back to Bahrain. I miss everyone so much!”
Sonia’s next Femme Fest performance is due on April 2 and 3.
For details on her music and upcoming performance, follow her @shessonia_ on Instagram.
