Sophie de Quay – Take Control Now Podcast

In this episode of the Take Control Now podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming Sophie de Quay, a duo made up of Sophie (vocals) and Simon (musician).
Based in Geneva, they share how their personal journeys led them to build an artistic project that is also a genuine music business.

Who is Sophie de Quay?

• Sophie: born in Switzerland, she grew up between Singapore, New York, Paris, and Shanghai.
  She started writing songs as a child, developed her passion for the stage through musical theatre, and trained at Les Ateliers du Funambule in Nyon.
  She also studied sinology and completed a programme at the École Hôtelière de Lausanne, which gave her the project management and communication foundations she applies within the group today.

• Simon: a pianist since the age of 6, trained at the jazz conservatory in Lausanne.
  A multi-instrumentalist, he has played in numerous bands and accompanied artists including Bastien Baker.
  He brings musical rigour and production to the project, complementing Sophie's intuitive, business-minded approach.

The Birth of the Duo

The duo met in 2016 and quickly decided to build a project together.
Their debut album Drop the Mask marked the start of a professional adventure, followed by international tours across Asia, New York, Lebanon, Romania, Spain, Belgium, and France.

With their second album Why, written largely during the pandemic, they explore the big questions of their generation — ecology, society, the future, identity.

A Musical and Entrepreneurial Project

Being an artist, in their view, means above all being an entrepreneur:

• managing communication and marketing,
• creating visual and digital content,
• organising tours and events,
• developing merchandising (clothing, wine, collaborations).

They also launched the concept Avant Première: self-produced concerts that blend music, networking, gastronomy, and local partners.

"Being an artist today also means knowing how to run a start-up."

The Challenges of Being an Artist in Switzerland

• A limited market in French-speaking Switzerland, which pushes artists to look abroad.
• Few support structures, unlike countries such as France with its intermittent worker status.
• The constant need to stand out and reinvent yourself.

Their Vision

👉 Stay curious, dare to try, and remain determined in the face of rejection.
👉 Build bridges between cultures and generations through music.
👉 Find the right balance between artistry and business to make a living from their passion.

Where to Find Sophie de Quay

• YouTube @sophiedequay
• Spotify Sophie de Quay
• Instagram @sphiedequay
• Website sophiedequay.com

Conclusion

With Sophie de Quay, Sophie and Simon prove that a music project can be built like a genuine entrepreneurial venture.
Their journey illustrates the importance of daring to leap, surrounding yourself with the right people, and turning passion into a structured project.

👉 An inspiring episode for anyone looking to launch a creative or artistic project in Switzerland and beyond.