Sophie Marcella Cates[1] (born August 25, 1999), formerly known as Silver Sphere, is an American singer-songwriter. She independently released her debut album Yikes! in October 2019, and was subsequently signed to RCA Records. In September 2020, she released her first EP, All My Boyfriends, through RCA. She released her second EP, Basement Party, in November 2022. In March 2024, she released her second studio album, SUPERNOVA.

Sophie Cates
Born (1999-08-25) August 25, 1999 (age 25)
EducationColumbia College
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Musical career
Also known asSilver Sphere
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2018–present
LabelsRCA
Websitethesilversphere.com

Career

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In 2018, Cates independently released her debut single, "Drinking Games", using the stage name Silver Sphere. She wrote and produced the song herself at the age of 18 while studying at Columbia College.[2] This was followed by other singles including "Boys In Bands"[3] and "Sucks 4 U".[4] On October 2, 2019, she independently released her debut album, Yikes!.[5] Abby Wright of The Central Trend described the album as "a vibrant treasure map of pockets" and stated that she "really, really liked" the project.[5]

The release of Yikes! led to Cates being signed by RCA Records, and on July 22, 2020, she released her debut major label single, "Crowd".[6] On the day of its release, she announced that her second extended play, All My Boyfriends, would be released on September 23, 2020.[7][8] Prior to the EP's release, she released "Handle Me" as a single on August 12, 2020.[9] After the EP's release, Sienna Estrada of Earmilk praised Cates for demonstrating artistic growth, noting the contrast in sound between Yikes! and All My Boyfriends, noting her "bright pop melodies and attitude".[10] On November 25, 2020, she released the single "Football Game".[11] In July 2021, Cates announced via social media that she would be using her birth name as her professional artist name.[12] In 2022 she self-released "Nasty" and "Cardigan" as singles from extended play Basement Party. She released the extended play in April 2022.

On March 29, 2024, Cates released SUPERNOVA, her second studio album. The album is thematically focused around her breakup with fellow singer-songwriter Lauv. The album's genres have been described as electronic pop and indie sleaze.

On August 16, 2024, Cates released the single rotation. The video for the single was directed and edited by Cates' longtime friend, Maximilian Kelly.

Personal life

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In 2020, she entered into a relationship with fellow singer-songwriter Lauv.[13] They have since broken up.[14]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Details
Yikes!
SUPERNOVA
  • Released: March 29, 2024
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

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Title Details
All My Boyfriends
  • Released: September 23, 2020
  • Label: RCA
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Basement Party
  • Released: November 11, 2022
  • Label: Independent
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

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As lead artist

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Title Year Album
"Drinking Games" 2018 Yikes!
"Take it Away" Non-album single
"Boys in Bands" 2019 Yikes!
"Lost Cause"
"Sucks 4 U"
"Waste My Time"
"Crowd" 2020 All My Boyfriends
"Handle Me"
"Football Game" Non-album single
"Bad Mood"
(with Natasha Hunt Lee)
2022 The End Of The World!
"Nasty" 2022 Basement Party
"Cardigan"
"rotation" 2024 Non-album single
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Title Year Album
"speaker"
(umru with Ravenna Golden, Sophie Cates)
2022 comfort noise
"i don't reply"
(Internet Girl, Sophie Cates)
2023 parasocial interaction (EP)

Music videos

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Title Year Director(s)
"Drinking Games" 2018 Unknown
"Take it Away" Brit Wigintton
"Boys in Bands" 2019 Maya Cruz
"Lost Cause" Maya Cruz, Malcolm Ryshavy
"Sucks 4 U" Maya Cruz
"Boys Are Dumb! Duh!" Christian Vazquez
"I'll Go Goth" Drake Li
"Handle Me" 2020 Tusk
"Ghosts!"
"Football Game"
"Bad Mood"
(with Natasha Hunt Lee)
2022 Hunter Moreno
"Nasty" Kevin Chen, Callum Hutchinson
"Cardigan" Unknown
"rotation" 2024 Maximilian Kelly

Songwriting credits

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List of songs produced or co-produced for other artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Artist(s) Album
"Rushing Back"[15] 2019 Flume, Vera Blue Non-album single
"26"[16] 2022 Lauv All 4 Nothing
"All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love)"[17]

Tours

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Supporting

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References

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  1. ^ "BOYS IN BANDS". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  2. ^ "EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE: Silver's "Drinking Games" is for Anyone Who Has Ever Thought They Were in Love". Ones to Watch. May 4, 2018. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  3. ^ "Song of the Week: Silver Sphere – "boys in bands" | Review". Pursuit Of Pop. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  4. ^ "Silver Sphere boasts post-breakup bravado with 'sucks 4 u'". Vanyaland. June 19, 2019. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "yikes! was a unique soundtrack of heartbroken songs". The Central Trend. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  6. ^ "Silver Sphere Makes Major-Label Debut With "crowd"". Idolator. July 22, 2020. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  7. ^ "Reinventing Pop in Her Own World: An Interview With Silver Sphere". Her Campus. September 21, 2020. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  8. ^ "Silver Sphere has debuted her brand new 'all my boyfriends' EP". Dork. September 24, 2020. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "Let Silver Sphere transport you to a galaxy all her own". i-D. August 12, 2020. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  10. ^ "Silver Sphere unveils new EP "all my boyfriends"". Earmilk. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  11. ^ "Silver Sphere links up with 100 gecs' Dylan Brady for 'football game'". DIY. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  12. ^ Sophie, Cates (July 30, 2021). "changed my name today, playing @lollapalooza tomorrow, and releasing new music very very soon. i love u guys so much 💗and im so excited to show u what im all abt 🧚‍♀️ now can someone teach me how to change my instagram handle? lol". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  13. ^ "Is Sophie Cates in a Relationship? Who is her Boyfriend?".
  14. ^ marcobmartinez (March 28, 2024). "Sophie Cates album 'SUPERNOVA' dropping this Friday". r/popheads. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  15. ^ Rushing Back, September 25, 2019, retrieved August 28, 2022
  16. ^ All 4 Nothing, August 5, 2022, retrieved August 27, 2022
  17. ^ All 4 Nothing, August 5, 2022, retrieved August 27, 2022
  18. ^ "Sophie Cates Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2022) | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
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