Rising Irish pop star Sophie Doyle Ryder has steadily been building her profile over the last year or so with the release of singles like ‘Hunni Hunni’ and ‘Mood’. 

Now, ahead of a busy summer of festival dates, the 19-year-old Dubliner - who was tipped as one of the RTE 2FM Rising acts for 2022 - has released her debut EP ‘Beginner’s Luck’.

‘Beginner’s Luck’ is described as “a special piece of art that portrays all the possible emotions of being a young person… full of bright and powerful feelings whilst also being fun and easy going.”

To mark its release, we caught up with Sophie to learn more about her music and her influences.

1.What’s the music that you listened to growing up, that you still listen to today?
Definitely Coldplay, Gwen Stefani and Mary Black. My parents were super musical, so I was always surrounded by music. 

2. In three words, describe the minute before you walk on stage.
I’m gonna puke (in a good way.)

3. How do you wind down after a gig?
I always need something like a pizza or McDonald’s.

4. What’s the one song (by another artist) you wish you’d written or recorded first?
'The Sweet Escape’ by Gwen Stefani.

5. What is your pet peeve?
When people can’t say please and thank you! So simple. 

6. Name one record, one book and one film that everyone should hear / read / see.
‘Sparks’ by Coldplay.
‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’ by Susan Jeffers.
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ - my fave! 

7. Pick the director and lead actor(s) for a biopic about your life.
Judy Craymer as the director for sure - and I think Saoirse Ronan would be good to play me.

8. You’re ordering take-away, what do you get?
Brezzi’s Pizza in Portmarnock, obviously!

9. Describe your perfect day off.
Naps & splash Coke.

10. Recommend a podcast and tell us why we should subscribe to it. 
‘The Laughs of Your Life with Doireann Garrihy’ - she’s absolutely hilarious!

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‘Beginner’s Luck’ is out now.