Chaotic charm and creative chemistry.
The Sophs frontman Ethan Ramon writes from the perspective of the worst version of himself, letting the music carry what real life shouldn’t. It’s messy, uncomfortable and often very funny. That fearless approach caught the attention of Rough Trade label bosses Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee almost immediately. Ramon had cold emailed a demo reel to a handful of his favourite indie labels with little expectation of a reply. Instead, Travis and Lee were in his inbox the next day asking to talk and before the band had even played their first show, they had found a home at Rough Trade Records. It's a great story, something of a modern-day indie fairy tale and a shining reminder to young, hopeful musicians everywhere that sometimes, sending the demo really can change everything.
“Sometimes it's important to write from the perspective of the worst part of yourself so that version of yourself can live through the music rather than exist in your day-to-day life”
Ethan Ramon
Musically, The Sophs refuse to sit still. The Los Angeles six-piece's debut album GOLDSTAR thrives on a restless spirit. The band approach songwriting with a pop-art sensibility by borrowing, twisting and rebuilding familiar forms until they become something entirely their own.
Closer to home, The Sophs have quietly been a Rough Trade staff tip since the back end of 2025 with their early singles on constant rotation across our head office speakers. A recent visit to Rough Trade East by Ethan and Sam found genuine music heads with a collaborative spark and a sense that anything could happen once the band plugs in. They’re the kind of group that can turn a room on its head in minutes, so if the tour rolls through your city, don’t hesitate to grab a ticket.
For fans of: Pavement, The Strokes, Weezer, Bright Eyes
We're excited to announce The Sophs as part of Rough Trade On The Rise, our dedicated curation putting a spotlight on the emerging music we are the most excited for you to hear, to follow and become a fan of. Read on to discover more about the band in their own words and don't miss debut album GOLDSTAR on Rough Trade.
Five by Five
5 Qs, 5 As
Describe The Sophs in 5 words?
R slash music slash wicked
5 records you listened to prior to making your album?
Real Gone - Tom Waits
Devil in the Flesh - Billy Childish
Fevers and Mirrors - Bright Eyes
New Orleans Street Singer - Snooks Eaglin
Bury Me at Makeout Creek - Mitski
Top 5 career moments since forming?
Performing in a different country for the first time.
Playing our first show for Jeannette Lee.
Seeing the well-endowed Cerne Giant.
Selling out Windmill, Brixton.
Trying jamón in Madrid.
5 tips or words of wisdom you'd offer an artist entering the industry in 2026?
It’s the year of the crazy guy. The year of the nonchalant guy is over.
Honesty can be incriminating. Don’t be afraid to incriminate yourself.
Find a good lawyer.
In the first leg of your career, loyalty is infinitely more important than whatever little money you’d be getting from music. Split that pie evenly!
Learn what kind of drunk you are fast, and act accordingly.
5 essential items on your tour rider?
A bottle of whiskey
Herbal tea
Some sort of clown or jester
Chips and hummus
A roast beast