Soul with a Scandinavian Groove
Talent artist Sofi O
Photo Henriette Sagfjord
Styled Vana Perisa
Dress Alexandre Vauthier
Shoe Alexandre Vauthier
From bedroom-produced Garageband demos to festival stages from Øyafestivalen to SXSW, Sofie Tollefsbøl—known to most as Fieh—is a one-woman groove generator. Her voice has been called “husky, whimsical… a gigantic personality captured by the microphone”, and over the past decade she’s built an eight-piece neo-soul/funk collective that’s put Norway firmly on the global soul map.
We sat down with Sofie to talk early beginnings, musical wanderlust, and the magic of a groove you can’t ignore.
Sofie Tollefsbøl — Background & Role n few words
• Born in 1994, in Eina—Vestre Toten, Norway.
• Studied music in Norway at Gjøvik videregående skole and later attended the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo.
• Gained early recognition with her song “My My My” when she won the Ukas Urørt feature on NRK P3 in 2014.
• Other Projects: Member of the duo xoxoplanetgirl alongside Solveig Wang, and also releases solo material under the name Midisofi.
Early Sparks for Sofie....
🎶 From Eina to Elton 🎶
That's say a little bit how talented Sofie is as an artist
At 19, Sofie Tollefsbøl uploaded her first bedroom tracks to SoundCloud.
Shortly after, she founded the 8 pieces band FIEH with friends from high school.
4 years later, the band had signed with british major label Decca and were highlighted by Elton John on his Rocket Hour radio show.
Sofi : “husky, whimsical… a gigantic personality captured by the microphone”
From singing in free jazz ensemble Andreas Røysum playing bass with house artist Bård Berg, frequently appearing as a collaborator as a singer, producer or something else in different corners of the Norwegian music scene, Sofie is always looking to follow her latest kicks and dreams through her work the latest years, Sofi has blossomed into a full blown alternative soul/RnB songwriter. She is combinating catchy yet melodies, beautiful arrangement and left field RnB sounds with Sofie's voice. For fans of Shuggie Otis, Steve Lacy, Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu. Sofie has a distinctive voice that cannot be insensitive to everyone.
Named as Norway’s funkiest eight-piece export, praised by Elton John and heard on stages from Øyafestivalen to SXSW.
Sofie's voice is described as “husky, whimsical… a gigantic personality captured by the microphone”, Sofie blends neo-soul, funk, and RnB into grooves you can’t ignore. In this issue, she opens up about small-town roots, the magic of collaboration, and why Friday nights in Norway can be wilder than you’d think.
GOING BACK TO THE ROOTS…
HELLO SOFIE...
RM : Your journey began at 19 with self-produced tracks on SoundCloud. What was going through your mind when you hit “publish” for the first time?
Sofie: I remember feeling super shy, but I also really wanted people to hear my music out there. But not my classmates, haha!
RM : Growing up in Eina in Norway, how did your surroundings shape your ear for music?
Sofie: My brother is a guitarist, and he introduced me to blues, soul, and RnB. It’s a bit of a quirky thing, but there’s actually a pretty strong tradition of funk and soul music in the Gjøvik/Toten area where I’m from. There’s been this awesome community of musicians jamming together since the 60s or 70s, which is a bit funny because it’s a pretty rural place!
RM: You’ve played in jazz ensembles, house projects, and funk collectives. Why such a broad palette? what made you so open to exploring different genres early on?
Sofie: I’m a huge music lover! I’ve been through so many musical phases since I was a child, and I get super obsessed with the music and the musicians. Music can be so many things, and it’s beautiful in so many different ways.
Sofie...The Birth and Growth of FIEH
FIEH, a band formed in Oslo in 2014, consists of Sofie (vocals), Andreas Rukan (bass), and Ola Øverby (drums). Their name, derived from Sofie’s first name with the “So” dropped and an “h” added, reflects their unique sound. Sofie Tollefsbøl was the founder, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter of FIEH, a standout Norwegian neo-soul/funk collective formed in 2014. She goes by the stage name “FIEH,” and through this project—and her solo ventures—she has established herself as a powerful creative force in the Scandinavian soul scene.
FIEH blends neo-soul and funk with influences from soul, funk, disco, R&B, and modern music. Initially a trio, the band has grown into a diverse collective, with members including Jørgen Kasbo, Kai von der Lippe, Solveig Wang, Lyder Øvreås Røed, and Thea Arnesdotter, among others.
Their breakthrough came in late 2017 with the release of their debut single, “Glu,” which propelled them onto the international stage. Since then, FIEH has achieved several notable milestones :
- They were featured on the FIFA 20 soundtrack with the song glue
- They have released three albums: Cold Water Burning Skin (2019), In the Sun in the Rain (2022), and III (2023).
- They have performed at major festivals, including Norway’s Øyafestivalen (2018 and 2022), SXSW, and Reeperbahn.
Album Insights & Song Breakdown Highlights
“Cold Water Burning Skin” (Debut Album, circa 2019)
• Sofie handled lead vocals and wrote the lyrics, while the entire band is credited with the music.
• Critics praised her “captivating vocals” and noted the album’s genre-hopping appeal ( blending funk, pop, jazz fusion, and soul ) creating rich, groove-oriented arrangements rooted in improvisation.
SHE WEAVES NEO SOUL ANTHEMS ALIVE WITH INFECTIOUS ENERGY AND MAGNETIC CHARM
• One review emphasized her pivotal role: the band’s name stems from her name, and her voice is described as “flawless and versatile.”
“In the Sun in the Rain” (Sophomore Album, 2022)
• The track “Grendehus Funkadelic” stands out—a playful, groove-heavy funk journey inspired by the transformation of shy villagers into lively dancers in a local venue. Sofie describes the concept as “people… stiff all week… and then on Friday night they suddenly go wild,” capturing that weekend magic and spontaneous chaos.
• The album features rich instrumentation, including horns, bass, keys, drum grooves, and layered harmonies. Songs like “Fast Food” offer clever cultural metaphors (e.g., Spotify, MasterChef Australia) to critique modern consumption habits.
• Tracks such as “Howcome” leverage dynamic drum licks and harmonious builds to explore themes of love and emotional depth. Meanwhile, “Grendehus Funkadelic” injects high-energy funk, and slower pieces like “Hero” and “Anger Management (Jesus)” provide thoughtful, spacious moments to soak in Sofie’s vocal nuance.
|
Album / Track |
Notable Aspects |
|
Cold Water Burning Skin |
Sofie wrote lyrics and delivered soulful vocals; genre-blending grooves |
|
Grendehus Funkadelic |
Funk-influenced, based on village party scenes; vivid storytelling |
|
Fast Food |
Metaphoric social commentary with modern cultural references |
|
Howcome |
Emotional build-ups with strong rhythmic and harmonic interplay |
|
Hero / Anger Management |
Slower, contemplative tracks showcasing vocal expressiveness |
RM : How did Fieh’s first jam session turn into an eight-piece soul/funk powerhouse?
Sofie: I had posted some songs on SoundCloud, and I asked some friends at school who also had interest in soul music too to play it with me. At our first performance the crowd received it in such a good way that I think we felt we had something good straight away.
RM : The band name comes from your own name ins't it ? does that make it feel more personal or a shared collective project ?
Sofie: Hahaha, MANY have been confused! We did consider calling the band «Fieh and the something something», but decided to just make the whole band Fieh. Fieh is a collective for sure, even though I am the front person.
RM : Elton John gave you a shoutout early on. How did it feel to get that kind of recognition so soon ?
Sofie: very absurd. It feels like people like him kinda live in another world, and suddenly I got to see a little bit of that world, or yeah at least we were recognized. Depending on my confidence, I would sometimes think «well….we deserve it!», hahaha!
The Sound
RM : Your music blends catchy hooks with unexpected harmonies and “left-field RnB” sounds. How do you approach songwriting?
Sofie : I definitely have a thing for bass lines and drum grooves. A bass line or drum groove can carry an entire song in my opinion. I often think of a bass line or drum groove, and I record it in Logic and go from there.
RM : Do you start with groove, lyrics, or melody—or does it change every time?
Sofie : I have a big big big collection of grooves and instrumentals - in fact so big that my MacBook crashed today, haha - and i have a collection of lyrics, poems or lyric ideas. And I have a collection of vocal melodies recorded on my phone. So I can start anywhere!
RM : Which track from In the Sun in the Rain best captures your personality, and why?
Sofie : You know, the album feels like it really captures a whole chapter of my life, like each song is a snapshot of a different mood from that time. To me, it’s all about exploring, snow, thinking things over, feeling a bit lonely, but also finding friendship even when things are tough.
The songwriting
In 2022, We have been involved in the styling of the Brazilian norwegian artist Charlotte Dos Santos at the Norwegian Spellemann awards. We were so honoured and proud to have participate to the norwegian grammy when she received the grammy as best artist of the year in category soul.
She mentioned on stage that it was difficult for her career to find a front figure, an icon in her category in Norway. We talked previously about artist as Shuggie Otis, Steve Lacy, Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu to identify your profile.
RM : Who are the artists that inspire you in your career ?
Sofie : Ooooh my. Sooo many - Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Joni Mitchell, D’Angelo, Solange, Steve Lacy, Shuggie Otis, Sly and the Family Stone, Outkast, Tyler the Creator, The Beatles, Madison Cunningham, Wet Leg....
Talent artist Sofi O
Photo Henriette Sagfjord
Styled Vana Perisa
Dress Richard Quinn
Hair Jewellery The Rebirth of the princess
RM : Norway isn’t usually the first country people think of when they hear “neo-soul.” What’s special about making this kind of music here?
Sofie : I think the genre used to be somehow new or foreign to a lot of people here, but of course that has has changed thoughout my career. Young people now are way more used to hearing soul or RnB i think, and we have a nice soul music scene growing I think. However, the genre is really still way too small to live from in Norway, so we must play abroad for sure. I find that the general public is unfortunately mostly exposed to a very monotonous mix of music, big labels pushing either «party music» or very bland and polished pop. So everything besides sounds a little «weird» to many people.
SOFI O .. A new chapter
From FIEH to SOFI O
Talent artist Sofi O
Photo Henriette Sagfjord
Styled Vana Perisa
Dress Atelier Unttld
Today, she’s the driving force behind a new project. She came with a new EP project this year with new arrangement, new music and with so many references.
RM : Which track from the last songs feels most like “you”? Gogogogo, Mercury in Retrograde , Clique Clique Claque or Métal dress ?
Sofie : Honestly, I love them all! They just feel like different versions of me right now.
RM : You’ve played festivals from Øyafestivalen to SXSW—how does performing at home compare to playing abroad?
Sofie: In some other countries, like Germany, you can really tell that culture and music has another role in society than in Norway. People dont go to shows to drink and socialize, they go to actual listen to music, and they respect the musicians in a different way. We played a quite random and not too big german city with Fieh, and 2000 people with no knowledge of us beforehand listened carefully to us for 1,5 hrs. That would not happen in Norway I believe. I really like playing abroad!
RM : How has your audience evolved since your first record?
Sofie : It has grown I think, haha! It seems like people of pretty much any age listens to my music, and I think that is very cool!
The Personality
RM : Outside of music what’s inspiring you lately (books, films, everyday moments) ?
Sofie: scents! I love scents so much, how scents can make you recall moments in specific ways is so fascinating to me. I love beautiful scents and niche perfumery. I went to a perfume museum in Mexico City last year. Traveling inspires me, and experiencing Mexico City really gave me energy. Other than that I am inspired by small beautiful moments in everyday life. People being kind is an inspiration.
My boyfriend just showed me a band called Pentangle this morning, so I’m listening to that right now !
RM: Does your next album will bring out a different side of you?
Sofie: Yesss for sure, I feel like this album is very much me. Fieh is, like I mentioned, a combo of many people ideas. This album is more minimalistic, I really feel like it has its own sound.
RM : Dream scenario: If you could dream up your next five years in music, what would it look like?
Sofie: It would be touring the world for sure. Traveling is the best thing to me. In between traveling I would want to be in the studio because thats the second best thing on earth, haha.
6 — The Style
Talent artist Sofi O
Photo Henriette Sagfjord
Styled Vana Perisa
Dress Atelier Unttld
Hair clip Area
RM : Your stage outfits are often bold but relaxed, mixing vintage vibes with streetwear some Japanese style . How do you approach your personal style?
Sofie : I have always had an attraction to both punk and more preppy-punk kind of things, and Japanese manga style, plaid/check skirts, shirts, big puffy arms, strong colors.
I am also very inspired by 60s stars like Brigitte Bardot and Pattie Boyd, their playful and soulful style.
I used to mostly like boys clothes and you know check shirts and Converse as a kid, but as I grew up i realized that dressing up in cool colors and textures really makes me feel so good, and I feel like every day is an opportunity to make someone happy with what you wear. When I see a cool outfit on someone it makes me happy.
Talent artist Sofi O
Photo Henriette Sagfjord
Styled Vana Perisa
Dress Atelier Unttld
RM : Your stage outfits mix bold colors, vintage finds, and a bit of streetwear edge. How would you describe your style in three words?
Sofie: Oooooh, hard! Layers, chaotic, mismatch (in a fun way) (hahah this is more than three Words :)
RM : Do you see a connection between fashion and music?
Sofie: Definitely! Both things are about expressing yourself. Maybe you want to be flamboyant, maybe you want to hide, maybe you want subtle and silent beauty, maybe you want craziness. You can get it in both music and fashion.
Talent artist Sofi O
Photo Henriette Sagfjord
Styled Vana Perisa
Dress Alexandre Vauthier
Shoe Alexandre Vauthier
RM : Any favorite places to shop or find inspiration?
Sofie: I only shop in thrift stores, and thrift stores in New York is a dream! As for inspiration I really like the brand Chopova Lowena.
RM : If you could design a stage outfit with no budget limits, what would it look like?
Sofie: Oh my god, I would make many different «worlds» and the concert would consist of different phases in different «worlds». Scenography would be SPECTACULAR haha! Right now I am making scenography for my next show in my attic. I really love working with scenography, trying to create a vibe in a room.
The Rebirth
RM : Our magazine is called The Rebirth — what does the idea of “rebirth” mean to you, both as an artist and as a person?
Sofie: You know, it’s all about seizing the chance to keep pushing forward, even when things didn’t go as planned yesterday or the results weren’t what you were hoping for. Every single day, you’ve got the power to “throw out of the window” everything and everyone who might stand in your way. I’m living the life I’ve always dreamed of. I think you can totally reinvent yourself every single day
Talent artist Sofi O
Photo Henriette Sagfjord
Styled Vana Perisa
Dress Richard Quinn
Hair Jewellery The Rebirth of the princess
Sofie will be on stage live at the Parkteatret on November 12th in Oslo, Norway.
Sofie’s personality in Three Word after this journey.
Three words that define Sofie during her time with us in Oslo at the end of summer this year and it is compassion, passion and love.
COMPASSION is an evidence in her interactions with the industry. Despite meeting many people, Sofie is a beautiful soul and human being. She was very patient and careful with the team on and off set, creating a positive and collaborative atmosphere.
PASSION is evident in her dedication to her work and her enthusiasm for the topics we discuss both on and off set. Her expressive nature is captivating, even during a fitting. Despite the challenges of the wind affecting the material and the light necessary for the photoshoot with Henriette, she remains positive and engaged during the setting breaks.
Finally, LOVE is a defining characteristic of Sofie. Her warm personality is evident in her interactions with others and her ability to involve them in her narrative. She is generous and her positive energy and attitude are evident on and off set. Her talent and knowlege is as vast as her heart, and she deserves the very best because of her unique personality. We were honoured to have such a positive exchange and a memorable moment with her during this journey with Sofie.
Talent artist Sofi O
Photo Henriette Sagfjord
Styled Vana Perisa
Dress Alexandre Vauthier
Shoe Alexandre Vauthier
REBIRTH MAGAZINE is a nonprofit arts and culture publication dedicated to educating, inspiring, and uplifting creatives
The Rebirth Magazine is a fresh, vibrant publication dedicated to celebrating creativity, culture, and soulful artistry. It shines a spotlight on emerging and established voices in music, fashion, and lifestyle — with a focus on authenticity, passion, and stories that inspire personal transformation and artistic rebirth.
Through in-depth interviews, thoughtful editorials, and stunning visuals, The Rebirth connects readers to artists as Sofi O who push boundaries, blend genres, and redefine what it means to create and express in today’s world.
Whether it’s uncovering a breakthrough artist like Sofie Tollefsbøl or exploring the latest in sustainable fashion, The Rebirth Magazine aims to be a source of inspiration and a community for those seeking deeper connection through art and culture.