Growing up in Los Angeles can lead to many connections in the entertainment industry. In singer-songwriter Sophie Stern’s case, they directed her to projects with Britney Spears, Shwayze, Cisco and Kendrick Lamar. And though these are hefty collaboration projects, Stern decided to start her own band.

While attending Berklee, she met David Greenbaum, and together the two formed Bom Bom. The project showcases both of the musician’s prominent talents—Greenbaum’s production skills and Stern’s vocal abilities—and ranges from ‘80s pop to hip hop to electro. Though Bom Bom is a new endeavor, the duo is jumping in headfirst and is already beginning to create some buzz in their hometown of L.A. Stern recently chatted with me about the best (and worst) things about being in a band in L.A., her star-studded collaborations, and what’s next for Bom Bom.

Katrina Nattress: How did you two meet?

Sophie Stern: We met in Boston. We both attended Berklee and ran in the same group of friends.

KN: You currently reside in L.A., are you natives?

SS: Yes! Lakers ride or die.

KN: What do you think is the best thing about being a band in L.A.?

SS: The little stands with bacon wrapped hot dogs. You can lie on the beach and make music, or be up in the city and make music, or take a break in the mountains or desert and make music… And mostly we are surrounded by so many talented people to work with and be inspired by—makes us be on our best game.

KN: The worst?

SS: There are so many talented people it’s confusing. 

KN:  I’ve read that you have a Britney Spears credit under your belt. Can you tell me about this?

SS: I had just started working as a songwriter for Dr. Luke and he hooked me up with Britney’s A+R who gave me the opportunity to work on her album. It was really fun. “Trip to Your Heart,” the song I did, was produced by Bloodshy from Miike Snow. It was an honor to work with him and his production team.  I remember going to buy the album not knowing they cut my track and seeing the song and I texted Luke like “uh..my song is on iTunes is this a fluke or real?” and he was like “real” and I was like, “real like I should drink now or wait?” and he was like “drink now”. But I didn’t. I couldn’t believe it ‘til the album was actually released. I kept thinking they would take it off iTunes. It was such a trip. 

KN: You also were featured in a Shwayze and Cisco track along with Kendrick Lamar in 2011. Tell me how this came about.

SS: Me and Shwayze have been friends since we were 5. He and Cisco hit me up when they were making their album to come collaborate with them. We wrote “Over and Over,” and next thing I know they get Kendrick Lamar to feature on it.  Crazy!

KN: You are quite the collaborator; do you plan on incorporating guest appearances in your music with Bom Bom?

SS: For sure! We love working with peeps. 

KN: You released your first single, “Woman,” in January. It’s got a real old-school pop feel. Is this what we can expect from future material?

SS: Yeah, expect some throw back, some future, some right now, some soul, hip hop, pop and reggae influences, all mixed in with weird little David sounds. 

KN: Since you two take on such distinct roles in the band, what’s your writing process like?

SS: Always different. Usually David makes a beat, I come listen, put melody/lyric ideas down, sit there and write it while David is bored. I ask him if what I’m saying is cool or dumb, he tells me it’s dumb, then I say no it’s cool, then he says OK, then I change it because it’s really dumb.  Once in a while we collaborate more on the beat. On “Woman” David had the drum part and I came in and played the keyboard riff and he built the rest of the song. Sometimes David has the melody and song idea. His voice is beautiful; you should ask him to sing sometime.

KN: Are you working on an album?

SS: Yes. We have written and are writing a bunch of songs. We will put out an EP soon and full-length to follow.

KN: Do you have any shows/tours planned?

SS: We will start playing this month in L.A., and hoping to be on the road by the summer.

 

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