girli on Matriarchy

Photos by Elise Abotomey

Words by Sara West

Last month, UK alt-pop artist girli paid a visit down under to rock out with her Australian fans ahead of her new album Matriarchy, which is out today. Matriarchy is girli’s second album and is packed with vulnerable queer anthems that empower listeners to be their authentic selves. PLEASER sat down with girli to discuss the new album plus touring and the era of queer pop. 

PLEASER: I hope the Australia tour has gone well so far! Being half-Aussie, do you feel a special connection when playing shows in Australia?

girli: Definitely! I have so many memories here from childhood and loads of family in all the cities the tour is stopping by, so it feels like a full circle moment to come back here to perform. Having rooms full of fans in the places where my dad grew up is also really special; it makes me feel closer to the version of him when he was my age!

PLEASER: We’ll discuss this more in a bit, but so much of your music is about gaining strength and being authentic. How do you cultivate a safe space for fans to be unequivocally themselves at your shows?

girli: I’m very clear online and on stage that my gigs are a zero-tolerance-to-bullshit space. In every venue I play in, the staff who work there and my whole touring team know that it’s super important to protect the sanctity of the space for women & LGBTQ+ folk and anyone who is marginalised. My fans always come to the shows dressed amazingly and expressing themselves how they want to. Lots of people make friends at my shows because everyone is so nice, and I think that comes from the vibe of being relaxed and free.  

PLEASER: Matriarchy is your second album. How are you feeling about the release? Did releasing your debut album feel different? Are both releases just as exciting?

girli: I’m more excited for this release than any before. My debut album release was weighed down by so much pressure around me from management, my label, and the industry, and there were too many cooks in the kitchen - so many people telling me what to say and look like. This album has been exactly what I want to make, musically and visually, and I feel like it encapsulates me so beautifully from start to finish.

PLEASER: The theme of Matriarchy is about taking back power and having the strength to be yourself. I’m sure getting to this point wasn’t easy, so do you have any advice for readers on how to reach a point of confidence that allows them to be the matriarch in their own lives?

girli: Set boundaries and don’t expect it to be painless. You have to let go of a lot to gain love and respect for yourself.

PLEASER: The album explores many stages of love, including having a crush, being in love, experiencing heartbreak, and more. However, I love that you end with a song called ‘Happier Her’ to end the album positively. When deciding on the tracklist for Matriarchy, how did you decide on the order, and why did you choose to end it the way you did?

girli: I wanted the album order to tell the narrative that I was going through at the time of writing, so I ordered it pretty much as the events unfolded. But ‘Happier Her’ was actually one of the first songs I wrote, a hopeful song about a future, happier version of me. That did end up being how the story turned out, so I wanted to put it last.

PLEASER: Speaking of songs on the album, do you have a favorite or one that resonates with you most right now?

girli: I’m obsessed with ‘Overthinking’ right now!

PLEASER: We are in an era where queer pop is on the rise, with artists like Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp, and others becoming some of the most iconic names right now. How does it feel knowing that music is finally becoming more inclusive and music that isn’t heteronormative can thrive?

girli: FINALLY. That’s how it feels. Fucking finally!!

PLEASER: Following that, what artists are inspiring to you right now?

girli: I’m a big Chappell Roan fan! I’m also loving Lola Young, Donna Missal, and 070 Shake.

PLEASER: For someone who has never heard your music before, how would you describe it in 5 words?

girli: Vulnerable, storytelling, queer, quirky, pop.

PLEASER: What song of yours most represents your sound, or what song would you recommend people listen to first?

girli: Sound-wise, I don’t have one song that sums me up sonically because each song is so different musically. But songwriting / message-wise, it's probably ‘Matriarchy.’

PLEASER: Do you have any final thoughts for our readers?

girli: Join my matriarchy!