Top and skirt Sanēa / Jewellery Alsolike

You recently opened for Sabrina Carpenter at Hyde Park here in London. How was that experience?

Oh my God, it was amazing! It was so fun. I was a little nervous on the first day, at the beginning. But once I settled in after a few songs, I was like, “Oh right, I got this!” It was good vibes, I just had fun on stage. And it’s such a well-organized festival too, which is nice.

You’re going to be opening for Sabrina again on her “Short n’ Sweet” tour this fall. What are you most looking forward to?

You know, I’ve seen the show, yesterday was actually my 14th time seeing it! So I’ve kind of done the whole in-and-out thing, just being backstage and hanging. Now it’s really exciting to actually be a part of the full tour. We’re really good friends, so getting to make music, perform, and share all of that together is just so special. It’s also going to be a little more nerve-wracking this time because I’ll be performing instead of tagging along like a groupie. But I’m mostly excited for the fans. Her fans are so sweet and supportive! Sabrina herself is an absolute sweetheart. She puts so much effort into everything she does. I’m just really excited to be part of it.

Is there a city you’re especially excited to play?

Yes, definitely Madison Square Garden in New York City. I was raised on and off in NYC pretty much my whole life, and that venue is just so iconic to me. So I’d say that one for sure.

How are you preparing for this tour—emotionally or creatively?

Honestly, I’ve been trying to give my body a bit of a reset. No alcohol, and just really getting physically in shape. Building up that endurance to perform every night again. With the exception of last night, I had my first drink since February! But yeah, mostly it’s been about the physical prep more than the mental side this time around.

Top Yue Qing Wei / Skirt and Shoes Georgia Clarke / Jewellery Dévé, Alsolike

Are you doing the whole treadmill while singing thing?

Honestly, I don’t have a treadmill. I’ve been doing it on a bike, like not a Peloton, but something similar.

You experienced grief at a young age and channeled that into your music. How do you find the courage to be so vulnerable? And how did it feel when those personal songs were released to the world?

Oof. I still struggle with it, honestly. It’s something I continuously deal with. This anxiety around vulnerability. But I think it’s so important, especially when writing, to come from an authentic place. Of course, sometimes it’s fun to just make up a song for the vibe, but for me, it flows easiest when I’m writing about real experiences. I don’t really think about the fact that people will hear it when I’m writing. But once I realize it’s a good song and might actually go out into the world… Yeah, that’s when the nerves kick in.

It was hard for me to express myself in conversation after my mom passed. Music kind of became my way of understanding and articulating my feelings. And through that, I’ve realised people connect with those emotions. Grief is such a universal thing we all experience it or will at some point. So in that sense, I found a sort of community through the music.

Now, with the new project, it’s more about love and heartbreak. And honestly, that’s been even harder to express! I think because I’m so private about my relationships. But I’ve been learning to open up in that way, too.

How do you protect your inner world while sharing so much of it through your music?

I try to remind myself that there’s nothing wrong with how I feel or what I’ve experienced. I aim to be as open as I can, within reason. Sometimes I’ll hit a point where I’m like, “Okay, I don’t want to talk about this right now,” and that’s okay too. It’s all about context and comfort. I end up being pretty open, but it’s definitely nerve-wracking at times. Still, these are all human feelings, and that’s what I try to come back to.

Top Minji Kim / Skirt Indira Studios / Shoes IZIE / Jewellery Alsolike

What song of yours hits differently when performed live?

“Mixer.” People love that song, and I do too, but it’s never been one of my top personal favourites. Yet live, it’s one of my absolute favourites to perform now. It’s just so fun and has this energy that really comes alive on stage. Also, “Sink In,” from the new EP. I was nervous about that one, it’s fast-paced and clubby, and I wasn’t sure how it would translate. But with the live band, it took on a whole new life. So yeah, both of those surprised me in the best way.

You grew up in a very nomadic and multicultural environment. Do you think that shaped how you approach music and the industry?

Definitely, how and where you’re raised really sticks with you even subconsciously. I was exposed to so many different sounds and cultures, and I absorbed a lot of it without even realising it at the time. Whether it was whatever my mum was listening to, or just the environment I was in, all of it has found its way into my music. Even certain sounds or genres I’m drawn to now, and I realise those connections only after the fact. I definitely wouldn’t be making the kind of music I make today without all of those experiences growing up.

I always find it interesting how our parents’ taste influences us. My dad loved Meatloaf, now I do too!

That’s sick! My mum was really into Stevie Wonder, Sade, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ella Fitzgerald… She was the biggest ABBA fan. Her name was Mia, so we’d always sing “Mamma Mia” to her. I feel like those artists really shaped me, especially Stevie. He’s my number one. 

Your visual style with fashion, artwork, and videos feels so intentional. How does fashion play into your creative expression?

I feel like I’m still figuring that out! I’m a total homebody, so I’m usually in pyjamas. But I do love fashion. I think about it a lot, especially when it comes to visuals, artwork, or shoots. I like things to feel effortless, but still thoughtful. I like little accent pieces or colors that pop. I don’t know if I’d call myself “fashionable,” but I love crafting looks that feel true to whatever story I’m telling in the music.

Top Rebecca Halpenny / Skirt Ruby Yazmin / Shoes 10th Floor / Jewellery Alsolike

Well, you look fashionable on social media!

Thank you! That means a lot.

What’s a recent moment big or small that made you feel really present?

Honestly, recently performing. It goes by so fast, but I’m very much in the moment during those sets. I’d say Hyde Park was one, and then this little intimate headline show I did last Thursday. Both made me feel really present.

Now onto your latest release “In My Head.” The production brings an environmental sound to it, as in when listening you can feel that “I’m at the club dancing with a stranger” and that “oo I can see where the night will take us” – or at least that’s how I feel listening to it, it makes me want to go clubbing! Is that something you try to strive for with your music, that transporting feeling when listening? 

Sometimes, yeah! I love tapping into different emotions. I actually didn’t produce that one; Chris Lake did. We originally wrote it during a camp a few years ago, and I always loved it, but never found the right place for it. Chris loved the vocals and asked for them. At first, I said no, selfishly, I just wanted to keep it! But eventually I was like, “You know what, go do your magic.” And he sent it back, and it made me want to go to the club too! I was like, “Have fun—I’ll be at home with my cat.”

That’s where the real club is at.

Exactly.

What was living ‘in your head’ when you wrote that song? Was there a specific moment that sparked it?

Yeah, that was about the early stages of a relationship that later became a big part of my life. We were writing a lot about that “crush” feeling, those first few weeks of butterflies, and wondering where things are going. “In My Head” was one of those songs. It’s just about those thoughts you don’t always say out loud.

Top and skirt Ahluwalia / Shoes MO&Co / Jewellery Dévé, Alsolike

And there’s a new album coming, what can you tell us?

Yes! It’s all about boys, basically [laughs]. It explores long-term relationships, short ones, unrequited love—both giving and receiving. It’s been four years since my last record, and I’ve had some experiences. I went through a really intense, on-and-off breakup, and that made its way into a lot of the songs. It’s emotional, bittersweet, but also upbeat in moments. I love a slow build, a juxtaposition between heartbreaking lyrics and danceable production. There’s a nostalgic feel to it, sonically it draws from the ’70s and ’80s. I could say more, but I don’t know how much I’m allowed to reveal yet… That’s the gist!

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