– A kick, a belief, and an entire album

For many years, Sofie Tollefsbøl has been a leading provider of Nordic soul, funk and RnB with the band Fieh – praised by, among others, Elton John, and signed to the British record label Decca. In 2024, the TONO grant opened the way for her to realize a new, personal project: the solo project Sofi O.

– I had 100,000 song ideas and 500 kroner to record them, sort of. I was in a bit of a discouraged period and wondered if what I was doing really meant anything to anyone. When I got the grant, I was so incredibly happy. Suddenly it was possible to do things, and it gave me a new “kick”. I thought that if I get this money, I have to earn it. Also, it means that someone believes in me. That little push can mean an incredible amount.

Also read TONO's interview with Fieh from 2018: – We'll take it as far as we can.

From idea to reality

With the TONO grant, Tollefsbøl was given time and peace to write new music and record his debut album in Studio Paradiso – a dream location for many artists.

– I've had a fantastic time, with great people and great musicians. I'm incredibly grateful for the support I've received to do it.
The first single, Gogogogo, was released at the end of February. In March, she made her live debut as Sofi O at the New Colossus festival in New York – and on May 23, she will play for the first time in Norway as a solo artist, at Nattjazz in Bergen.

A life in music

Tollefsbøl comes from Eina in Vestre Toten, and studied music at Gjøvik Upper Secondary School before continuing on to the Oslo Academy of Music. Music became a calling early on, inspired by an older brother who introduced her to soul and blues.

– Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin hit me incredibly hard. Eventually I got hooked on a lot of musicians – Amy Winehouse, Kanye West, The Doors. Then I found out that playing music myself gave me something that nothing else in life could give me. I still meet a lot of cool musicians who are also good people – and that inspires me all the time.

A piece in the patchwork

The TONO grant is not only a creative boost, but also a practical necessity.

– These grants make it possible to live as a musician. They are part of the financial patchwork that is needed to make the record, write the songs and pay the expenses. Concerts, TONO income and grants make up almost all of my income. In some periods, such grants are crucial to being able to make music now – instead of having to wait a year.
– I really think that very few people want a society where absolutely everyone is a broker and accountant. Most people need art. The TONO grant and other grants help us have that.

A clear piece of advice

– Imagine that we can apply for support to write music! It's fantastic, and we are incredibly lucky. To anyone considering applying: Do it!