As a songstress with a smooth signature sound, Sofia Verbilla created Harmony Woods. A rotating cast of friends accompany the Philly lead singer’s vocals instrumentally, which is a harmonious match, which especially shines through on their 2019 album, Make Yourself at Home. Keep reading to hear about Sofia’s experience in Philly’s DIY music scene, the story behind the album, and why Philly shows are like no other!
Credit: Ashley Gellman
Philly PR Girl: What has been your journey with music? How did you create Harmony Woods?
Sofia Verbilla: I started taking guitar lessons when I was 10, and began writing my own songs when I was 16. I likely would’ve never shared anything with the world if it weren’t for my dad. At the time I just saw myself writing songs as messing around and having fun, but he helped encourage me to keep writing. I would play those songs to friends and, eventually, I ended up recording a few on my phone and put them on Bandcamp in 2016 under the name Harmony Woods. Since then I’ve been playing and releasing records with a full band made up of a rotating cast of pals, and it’s been an amazing experience.
PPRG: How has the Philly DIY scene impacted how you approach music?
SV: I’ve been going to DIY shows in the area since I was 15, so the thought of playing shows was a bit daunting when I first started. My impostor syndrome would kind of kick in. Ever since the beginning though, folks have been so kind and encouraging and I will always be grateful for that. DIY has had a major effect on how I approach and release music. Even though I’m currently in school for music business, it’s hard to see my band as a business. Even if nobody were listening, I would still be playing and releasing music. As an artist, having a DIY mindset is heavily rewarding, because it prioritizes community and personal growth over financial gain.
PPRG: For a first-time Harmony Woods listener, which song is a ‘must-listen?’
SV: I‘m especially proud of “Ghosts” from Make Yourself at Home. “Ghosts” was the first song I ever fully finished at 16, and it originally appeared on my super lo-fi 2016 Bandcamp demo. I’m a huge sucker for when artists re-record or rearrange songs over time, so I’m really stoked that the song was able to follow a similar path. It’s essentially an existential crisis-fueled panic attack in song form, and I feel that both arrangements give each song a different mood and perspective.
Credit: Ashley Gellman
PPRG: You released the album Make Yourself at Home last year, where you can hear your passion on each track. What was your main inspiration behind the concept of the album?
SV: In short, Make Yourself at Home is the story of a doomed relationship told in two parts: the couple’s first night spent together (tracks 1 through 5), and their final night together (tracks 6 through 11). Many details in the lyrics are fiction, but were heavily influenced by my own experiences and traumas. In my opinion, it’s vital that people try to understand just how much our childhood experiences can influence the ways we act in relationships later in life.
PPRG: Do you have any fun stand-out stories from writing and recording the album?
SV: We recorded Make Yourself at Home with Chris Teti of TWIABP at Silver Bullet Studios in Burlington, Connecticut. It was a rewarding experience, but one thing I come back to is the obscene amount of Taco Bell we ate in those 10 days. If I recall correctly, I was eating cheesy bean and rice burritos (shout out to the value menu) nearly every day. One time we were about to track vocals, and it felt like every inch of my intestines was shutting down one by one. It turned out that I’m a huge baby (no surprise there) and that it was just gas. Now I enjoy my Taco Bell in moderation.
PPRG: You’ve performed up and down the East Coast, what have you found is unique to performing in Philly?
SV: We’ve played in some really lovely cities at some really sick venues, but our Philly shows are the ones I pretty much always look forward to the most. The community you build as an artist in your hometown is unlike anything else. Before COVID-19, at every show I would go to, even the ones I wouldn’t be playing, I could always expect to see at least one pal. Saying that in the past tense hurts, but I’m keeping hope alive that I’ll be running into a group of old friends at a show again one day.
Credit: Ashley Gellman
PPRG: How have you adapted to COVID-19 restrictions with performing and recording? How can listeners continue to support you?
SV: I’ve been streaming live sets from my bedroom every so often, which has definitely been interesting. On one hand, playing songs from the house does not make an artist immune to technical difficulties. I seriously have to step up my wi-fi game. That being said, it’s super wonderful being able to connect with multiple people from different parts of the world at once and share music with each other in such an awful time. I’d say the best way to support artists right now if one has the means is to either buy directly from the artist’s Bandcamp or label website. A lot of artists will also have Venmo or similar info posted during live streams. However, if you’re wondering how to support me and Harmony Woods specifically, I ask that you consider using that time and money to donate to your local community bail fund and donate/get involved with local racial justice organizations instead. To name a few for Philly-based folks, check out phillybailout.org and Philadelphia Housing Action at philadelphiahousingaction.info, among many others who are doing extraordinary work.
Check out Harmony Woods on Instagram and Facebook and visit their website!
