Susannah Joffe has released a new single titled
“Sofia Coppola song by Susannah Joffe,”
combining heartfelt nostalgia with ethereal sounds. Dropped on Valentine’s Day, the song pays homage to Sofia Coppola, the acclaimed filmmaker, while capturing Joffe’s signature dreamy ambiance.
Though Sofia Coppola’s father, Sir Francis Ford Coppola, faced setbacks with his recent film Megalopolis, the Coppola name continues to carry weight in creative circles. For a rising artist like Joffe, naming this single after such an iconic figure is a strategic nod, potentially broadening her audience.
Susannah Joffe’s Musical Roots in Austin’s Live Scene
Joffe grew up immersed in Austin’s rich live music culture, a city well-known across America for its vibrant scenes. Her early exposure to local performances at venues like Shady Grove, Threadgills, and Antones helped shape her sound.
I grew up going to small open mics, watching bluegrass and country bands at places like Shady Grove, Threadgills, and Antones, which feel exactly how they sound,
she shares.
That organic Texas sound has always informed my music. It did then, and it still does now.
Initially performing songs written by her father, Joffe soon established her voice as a songwriter with the release of her self-penned single “Backseat” in 2021, which she regards as the real beginning of her project.
Transitioning into a Dreamy, Whimsical Phase of Creativity
Since that debut, Joffe has steadily released singles and two EPs—The Punch and Your Mother’s Name—building her artistic identity. Now, she signals a shift towards producing music that embraces whimsy and dreaminess, often blending lightness with darker tones.
I see my project as really having begun
with “Backseat,” she reflects.
The songs are super production heavy and the visuals are a huge part as well because I really want to create an alternate universe for the project and fans to live in.
“Sofia Coppola” as an Introduction to this New Creative World
Produced by Los Angeles-based Ben Coleman, “Sofia Coppola” features an ethereal beat that supports Joffe’s intimate and affectionate lyrics. The song’s poetic lines, such as
Cherry soda’s sweet but you’re sweeter, baby,
and
You make me feel like spring, so come on, please, just be my baby,
emphasize its tender theme.
The song not only expresses an admiration for a love interest but also directly references the director Sofia Coppola, particularly her 2006 film Marie Antoinette, a personal favorite of Joffe’s childhood.
That movie felt like a sweet piece of cherry flavored candy in a shimmery wrapper, and I wanted this song to feel like that too, like you could just taste it,
Joffe explains, highlighting the deliberate sweetness the song aims to evoke.
A Song Born from Reclaiming Personal Joy and Sexuality
The sweetness in “Sofia Coppola” also serves as a counterpoint to difficult times Joffe was undergoing around its creation. Emerging from a phase of disconnection with her body and sexuality, she began to rediscover herself in a significant way.
I had just gotten out of a painful year of feeling incredibly out of touch with my body and sexuality, and I was just beginning to rediscover that side of myself in a very climactic way,
she admits. The song poured out naturally as a reflection of that personal journey.
[it] was of those songs that just kinda spilled out of my brain onto my lap,
she adds.
She characterizes the song‘s mood as
pastel pink, dreamy, whimsical, and horny,
celebrating the creative excitement of reconnecting with her playful side. Joffe notes how this evolution is mirrored in the production of the track.
A Fresh Approach through Freestyle Composition
Unusually for Joffe, who typically crafts her lyrics carefully, “Sofia Coppola” was created through freestyle improvisation. This spontaneous method marked a significant departure from her previous songwriting style.
I actually freestyled all the verses,
she reveals.
This was a drastic switch from all my previous music, which I painstakingly crafted line-by-line.
Visuals Reinforce the Song’s Nostalgic and Southern Charm
The accompanying music video enhances the single’s nostalgic sweetness, directed by fellow Austin local Ruby Bowman. Its warm, southern aesthetic aligns with the direction Joffe envisions for her current project.
The video channels a very nostalgic, sweet and southern feel, which is the aesthetic direction my project is headed towards right now,
Joffe explains.
Live Performances and Continuing Momentum
Looking ahead, Joffe plans to perform “Sofia Coppola” extensively, eager to connect with audiences face-to-face during the coming summer season.
I’m eager to get on the road as much as possible,
she shares with a smile.
With her distinct blend of sweetness, dreaminess, and authentic self-expression, Susannah Joffe is poised to build a growing body of music that resonates deeply with listeners, beginning with this evocative Sofia Coppola song by Susannah Joffe.
