girli, photo credit: Claryn Chong
Heralding a new era for girli, newly released album ‘Matriarchy‘ is a bright, evocative and insightful record that sees the celebrated, multi-faceted artist take the reins with full creative control.
To celebrate the release, girli travelled around the UK for a selection of in-store performances at record shops across the country connecting with fans and this came just weeks after she wrapped up her Australian tour.
You can check out ‘Matriarchy‘ below alongside a music video for single ‘Feel My Feelings’
We managed to catch up with girli as she talked about her latest album ‘Matriarchy‘, latest tour, fans and more!
So how has your latest album Matriarchy gone down with fans so far?
The fans have been the cutest. Doing a week of intimate record store shows straight after the album coming out really meant I could feel their immediate response to the songs. It was pretty emotional!
What’s your favourite track from the album and why?
It changes every day – at the moment it’s ‘Overthinking’, because I think it’s the most vulnerable song on the album. I’m really just like “yup, I’ve got nothing to hide” in those lyrics.
You’ve expressed that the album is about ‘the pain and joy of the queer experience and the rollercoaster of adulthood and mental illness’ among other important topics, what do you wish to achieve with the fans for this album?
I hope that the fans can find lyrics that make them feel seen, and that help them with whatever stage of life they’re going through – whether it be heartbreak, or healing, or all the messiness in between. I hope my songs can be the antidote to them feeling isolated in their feelings.
How was your tour in the US and Australia earlier this year and how does this compareto your latest tour in the UK that finished this week?
The album concept, matriarchy, is all about creating your own community and safe spaces, and that is really what the shows have felt like. Places to cry, laugh, scream, get it all out together. And mostly, to have fucking fun! The UK run of shows was different because they were special acoustic performances in record stores, so a lot more intimate than usual shows; they were beautiful in a different way. All my shows feel like dancing and singing with a room full of loads of friends, but the instores were VERY like that.
So you’ve set up an Instagram broadcast channel that has over 2,6k members already titled VIPs (very important pinkies), how important do you think it is to connect with your fans on a daily basis?
Sooooo important. Social media can be so fake and actually make you feel more disconnected from people despite its name. My broadcast channel and my discord, which also has 2,000 members, mean I can chat directly with them and give them my time and gratitude for how they’ve literally made my career happen.
As an ambassador for the LGBTQIA+ community, what do you think needs to be done to move forward and progress in society?
It all boils down to representation of LGBTQ+ people everywhere. Taking up space and inspiring others to do the same is what makes change.
We interviewed you five years ago in Southampton (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcRMyo9NjgU), how far would you say you have come in your personal journey with music since then?
Honestly, me five years ago was an entirely different person. I’ve taken back control creatively and personally. I felt so doubtful of myself and my music back then, and was surrounded by people, both professionally and personally, who didn’t give a flying fuck about me. I’ve learnt to set boundaries and really found my voice.
What would be your dream show to perform at? So who would be your support acts and your dream venue to perform at?
Glastonbury baby!!!
Upcoming tour dates:
Jun 03: Leeds, The Wardrobe
Jun 04: Brighton, Patterns
Jun 06: Paris, La Maroquinerie
Jun 07: Amsterdam, Paradiso Tolhuistuin
Jun 09: Copenhagen, RUST
Jun 11: Berlin, Frannz
Jun 12: Warsaw, Hydrozagadka
Jun 14: Vienna, B72
Jun 16: Zürich, EXIL
Jun 19: Manchester, Academy 2
Jun 20: London, Heaven