Check out TampaMystic’s interview with Sophia Mengrosso
By Rebecca Haines
LOS ANGELES – A hellacious, new voice is shining a light on the difficult topic of domestic violence in the world with fiery passion, remarkable strength and no shame.
Sophia Mengrosso said her 13-track album “Unforgiven” embodies everything an artist holds dear including personal stories, raw emotion and song lyrics that were born at her piano. This strong, Hispanic female artist beautifully connects one spectrum of music to another – Metal and Opera – particularly with a song that calls out domestic violence in a most powerful way … “Demonizer.”
“’Demonizer’ started many years ago as a story – some feelings I put on music sheets about domestic violence and abuse,” Mengrosso said. “Growing up I saw it a lot. It was hidden. No one talked about it. There was no bringing people to justice. Victims are afraid to be shamed or to be blamed. I was scared, and I wanted to empower people who suffer from these things – to take power back. Sometimes people say forgive, but I don’t believe that. Society pressures us to forgive someone who destroyed your life. It keeps eating us. Destroying us. There was never justice. Some things cannot be forgiven. I believe you have to claim your power back, and take what they took from you … That’s my way of justice.”
The song’s message belongs perfectly under the “Unforgiven” title, and its sound reverberates its boldness. While Mengrosso’s classically trained vocals lure the heart, the Metal thrash exemplifies the emotion. Visuals for the “Demonizer” music video use hellish darkness and flames.
“I wanted it to be strong and I wanted it to be dark, because it’s a dark subject,” Mengrosso said. “It’s OK to have rage – it’s OK to have the dark energy and to let it out. It gives me power to pull out of darkness. It means I want to have justice and burn out what harms. It’s my rage on those people. It’s what they deserve.
“People who deal with those horrible things feel weak. I have found a way to express that it’s like a storm – something massive you woke up that’s not going to back down until this entity is clear. You have power to push back and not be silent.”
Relating deeply to the societal norms of the vibe “be nice – don’t talk about dark things,” Mengrosso fights the influence of putting limitations on people. Even in music, she found too many rules in the Classical genera and longed to express herself more. She said Rock and Metal was where she found freedom.
“In my years, people have limited me – put in a box to suit some styles – but music is made to make our lives better,” Mengrosso said. “Rock is for strong vocals and this is where I found myself. Something in my brain resonates and stimulates with that sound – I just love Rock and Metal. It soothes my soul and resonates with me with how I feel inside. As a female artist, it gives me power to express myself, makes me feel strong and room to improvise with how to send my message.”
Born in Siberia, Mengrosso fell in love with music at a young age – particularly the piano and later the harp. By the age of 15, there was no doubt in her mind that she was born to create music. She moved to the U.S. when she was 18 and in a few years achieved a position of a polished singer and songwriter that flawlessly connects her classical training and the rebellious world of Rock and Metal.
Today Mengrosso uses her platform to empower women – not just in the face of abuse, but also to pursue whatever their heart desires.
“People will make you feel small for their comfort,” she said. “There is pressure to be nice, quiet, calm – because that’s more convenient for them. My main point is to be loud. Take your place. And don’t be afraid to speak up about problems. Deep inside, you know what’s right for you. When you put it away, that’s when depression happens … Things like this need to be brought up – celebrated. Don’t see it as weakness – it’s a part of you. And if you can help someone else, that’s the best part of being a human being. And for me as an artist, if I can inspire people I’ve never met – that’s the biggest reward.”
As Mengrosso continues to lean into an incredible future in the music industry, she is anticipating a collaboration project with Snoop Dog this summer. Next, she’ll go on a music-filled trip to Europe where she will reunite with past teachers, and then stateside fans will welcome her home with live performances in Texas, New York and LA. Make sure to stay connected to Sophia Mengrosso on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.
Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B0CBQF9W28/sophia-mengrosso
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sophia-mengrosso/1697167028
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2v2izImh5Klqia6oxOQC2F
YouTube: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC0TxBlMHC7tODcQyDKxqOuA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophia_mengrosso/