‘Songs From a Room’ or ‘Sofar’, as it is affectionately known, is the brainchild of friends Rafe Offer, Rocky Start and Dave Alexander. Anna Templeton caught up with Rafe to find out where it all began and what they’re up to next.

Tired of going to concerts and finding that no one was listening and that people seemed more interested in who was getting in the next round, co-founders Rafe, Rocky and Dave decided to create their own version of a concert, from their very own living room.

Open to true music lovers, who sign up to their mailing list and get told about the location just hours before, their gigs are intimate and unplugged, championing emerging talent in both music and spoken word. Talking and social media are discouraged during the performances and instead they urge people to listen, sing along and simply enjoy the pleasure live music brings.

Now in more than 60 countries across the world, Sofar discovered the talents of Bastille, Hosier and Kate Tempest (to name but a few), long before the record labels came knocking. But it’s not just about unearthing the next big thing, it’s about a shared passion for live music, as we discovered…

What is the Sofar ethos?

Bring respect back to live music experience – a quiet audience, sharing what they like and in an intimate environment.

Have you been to all countries where Sofar is?

Ha! I wish… I’ve been to about seven of them – mainly while I was on holiday or on a short city break.

How do you make sure they are all of the same standard?

By empowering the community that runs them to respect the ethos, then letting them do their thing.

What is it that you love about live music?

It takes me to a place of peace and relaxation. Nirvana, almost. People say it’s magic when they hear great music. I agree.

How do you select your bands?

It’s a community decision, up to 10 people listen and vote on what they feel would work in a small space. It’s not about being popular, it’s just about being, well, good.

Which bands are you most excited about today?

Sofar alums of course. Aurora, Norma Jean Martine, Moon Hooch… and a Sofar alum who made it big: Hozier.

What do you think about today’s music industry?

While it’s not about the money for many artists – it’s a passion thing for them – ultimately the bigger guns are focused too much on trying to sell out stadiums…

Who are the biggest stars you’ve had at Sofar Sounds?

Bastille, The National, Hozier, James Bay, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, George Ezra… Will Young!

What’s next for Sofar? 

More magic in more places. We hit 500 gigs a month by the end of last year. So the good news is more people can come and listen to live music in cities all over the world.

Sofar Sounds brings live music sessions to Carousel on a monthly basis, for intimate, underground gigs in Central London. Our spacious, warehouse-feel Downstairs offers great acoustics and the perfect backdrop for these nights of new music. If you’d like to experience one of Sofar’s evenings of pop-up acoustic magic, email info@carousel-london.com to apply for tickets. Keep an eye on the Experiences page of our website for dates.