Sophie Hiroko is a singer/songwriter native to Duluth, MN, and a daughter of Lake Superior. She describes the genre of music she creates as “tender bubble grunge” which aims to describe the marriage of her soft vocals alongside a grungy backing band. Hiroko draws inspiration from themes of death, rebirth, social justice, and girlhood. Her sound can be compared to the Lilith Fair movement of the '90s, merged with the femme grunge movement that took place within the same time period. Fans of The Breeders, The Sundays, Mazzy Star, and Juliana Hatfield will love Sophie Hiroko.
Hiroko was the 2025 recipient of the Palomino grant, which is offered annually by Trampled by Turtles to one deserving Duluth-based musician, based on quality of songwriting and artistic drive. She opened for Trampled by Turtles and S.G. Goodman on the Bayfront stage in Duluth, MN on July 5, 2025.
This past August, she had the opportunity to open for Minnesota’s beloved Jeremy Messersmith at Glensheen Mansion for their summer “Concerts on the Pier” series.
Hiroko’s latest project is a five-track EP titled to the core, released on July 5, 2025. This project was recorded on vintage equipment at Soft Cult Studio in Minneapolis with sound engineer Matt Castore, following the release of her successful first single, “ashes,” which has received great airtime on The Current, as well as several local radio stations across the country.
In October 2025, Sophie took her EP on tour, playing solo shows in Madison, Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo NY, and Brooklyn NYC.
