We recently had the chance to connect with Sonny Reza and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sonny, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built at IUF. What people don’t often see is how seamlessly we collaborate and how much we genuinely inspire one another. One of my biggest strengths is bringing people together, though it’s not always something that’s visible from the outside. Still, you can feel it in how smoothly everything runs now and in the fact that everyone truly enjoys working together. That means a lot to me, and I take real pride in having helped create that environment.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Sonny, owner and co-founder of Interview Under Fire, and it’s always great to connect with you all again. For those who may not know us, we’re a fully independent music and pop culture media publication and podcast. Our place in the media landscape continues to evolve, and so does my role within IUF — though I primarily focus on podcast interviews and concert photography. IUF was built from the ground up by a small group of passionate people who are, first and foremost, fans. That’s what I love most about what we do — we approach every interview from a fan’s perspective, asking the questions that listeners genuinely want answered.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Well, looking back on my childhood, it’s incredible to realize how introverted I used to be. I once believed that side of me was permanent — that I’d always stay in my shell. But “Interview Under Fire” changed that. It pushed me to find my voice and helped me grow into someone who truly enjoys connecting with people and expressing myself through what I do.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
That’s a great question — one my brother James (who’s also part of the IUF family) and I talk about often. It’s something I also tend to ask my own guests on the show. We went through some tough times growing up, but we always stuck together and made an effort to focus on the bright spots in our childhood. Still, it wasn’t always easy. I spent a lot of time worrying about things I couldn’t control and dealt with stress far earlier in life than I should have. If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be that everything really does turn out okay — that whatever felt overwhelming back then wasn’t the end of the world.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
My industry is obsessed with impressing other people within the industry. It can be really discouraging and exhausting – the idea that in order to be a good journalist, you have to constantly win the approval of other journalists. I try my hardest to remember that I don’t do this for them – I do it for the fans and for the artists. If I can capture a moment in a concert that reminds someone of what it was like to be there – I’ve done my job and I’m proud of it – whether or not another photographer thinks I’m good at what I do.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell a story of how I followed my own interests and passions and found ways to incorporate my strengths and the strengths of people I know. I also hope that people tell a story of how I was willing to make adjustments as I grew and as my industry changed, and how I never quit. Even if IUF never made another dime and we struggled for the whole time we existed – this is part of who I am and it’s what I do. I don’t do it for money, for clout, for approval, or anything else – I do it because it’s what I do. I hope that’s an encouraging story for someone to go out and do what they love too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://interviewunderfire.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interviewunderfire/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/interviewunderfire
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/interviewunderfire
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/45wC7QumAW38bzPNE9YZzy – SPOTIFY
Image Credits
Photographer Credits –
Anya Darnell
Zach Burns
Nick White
