Arabella Lucia has refused to conform to expectations from day one. From her early days performing Led Zeppelin covers at open mic nights to relocating from Canada and establishing herself on London’s music scene, she has steadily built a reputation as one of the capital’s rising rock talents. With appearances at The Alt Escape, BludFest and London’s Gibson Garage already under her belt, Lucia continues to make her mark on the city’s thriving live circuit.
With a five-track EP on the horizon, the self-proclaimed ‘Rockstar Princess’ is carving out a space where femininity and rock music coexist unapologetically. Rejecting stereotypes and embracing individuality, she brings a rebellious spirit to everything she does. We caught up with Arabella to discuss transforming the pop classic ‘Unpretty’ into a fearless rock anthem, the origins of her ‘Rockstar Princess’ persona, and why playing it safe has never been part of the plan.
Hi Arabella, how are you?
Hey Original Rock! I’m doing great. Thank you for the feature!
What’s it been like finding your feet in London, releasing your first music and starting to make your mark on the city? How are you finding the music scene around you?
It’s been incredible so far! Moving from Montreal, Canada, to London was a dream come true, and starting to release the music I’ve been working on has been so rewarding, thanks to the incredible and overwhelming response. I love how vibrant the grassroots music scene is in London, and it’s quickly become home to experiences, lifelong friends, and opportunities that are at the center of a city I now call home.
You’ve released ‘Unpretty’ – a punchy take on one of TLC’s most recognisable late ‘90’s songs. What was the first thing you heard in the original that made you think, I could actually turn this into a rock song?
The lyrics and the meaning of the song immediately stuck out to me because they’re so honest, raw, and unapologetic. That’s the essence of rock at its core, and I knew that once we brought in electric guitars and some distortion, we’d have a rock song on our hands!
You’ve taken a song rooted in R&B and pop and rebuilt it around crashing drums, heavy bass and searing guitars. What was the process of transforming it into your own?
A big part of my sound as an artist is my live band, and this version of Unpretty really captured that essence perfectly. Each instrument in the classic 4-piece rock band is highlighted and brings a different feel to the song from the get-go. Additionally, my voice is distinct in tone and style, and I knew that to make the song my own, I had to lean into that rather than imitate a version that didn’t need to be redone just for the sake of it. It was all about intentional changes rooted in my clear artistic identity.
You’ve described your music as a ‘Rockstar Princess’ world with a punk attitude. What inspired that aesthetic, and what does pairing femininity with a rebellious edge mean to you?
Just before moving to London, I was working as a kids’ party princess. It was quite a contrast to simultaneously making guitar-driven music. This created “Rockstar Princess”, which quickly caught on with fans and became such a big part of my artistic identity. It represents the duality and multifacetedness that’s always resonated with me. Ever since I was a 7-year-old singing Led Zeppelin at open mic nights and seeing the pure shock on people’s faces, I’ve been inspired to embrace standing out rather than conforming to expectations. Challenging what punk looks like is part of what punk means to me. By making room for femininity in rock, we invite more women into a male-dominated space that often dismisses and rejects traditionally feminine traits. Rockstar Princess proves you don’t need to fit into a box; create your own.
You’ve performed at the likes of Bludfest, The Alternative Escape and Gibson Garage London. What makes a great show for you, and what do you want people to feel when they leave?
A great show for me means giving everything I’ve got up on stage, finding the beauty in the ever-present slight imperfections of live performance, and knowing the audience I shared those moments with felt something. I want people to leave my shows feeling empowered, enlightened, and understood by myself and my music.
What’s your non-negotiable pre-show ritual?
A really good vocal warm-up is an absolute non-negotiable. Honourable mentions include: morning ginger shot, room-temperature water pre-show, and a few moments of breathwork to focus before going up on stage.
Who would be your dream artist to support?
My dream artist to support at the moment would be Olivia Rodrigo. She has so many of the same influences and idols as me that I know we’d absolutely smash a Weezer cover and share a lot of fans.
If you could give your fans a name, what would it be?
Well, as I’m the Rockstar Princess, it’s only fitting that my fans be Rockstar Royalty!
Following the release of your upcoming debut EP on November 13th, You’re currently recording your debut album at Eastcote Studios. Can you give us a glimpse into the creative process and what you’re learning along the way?
It’s been such an incredible and fun process. We wrote these songs in intimate sessions with the same team, so it’s easy to start with a good chat and write about something that feels vulnerable and real. Having a safe space to do that is really special. From there, it’s a mix of playing around with chords or riff ideas (usually on an acoustic guitar), jotting down lyrical phrases in a Google Doc, and keeping the voice-memo app on hand to capture any improvised melody worth remembering. With a 10 am start, we usually have a full song written with a one-take vocal demo by 6 pm. That said, the refining, rewriting, live instrument tracking, vocal takes, harmonies, etc. that go into the rest of the process shouldn’t be overlooked. I’ve learned so much through these experiences, but most of all, I’ve learned the power of collaborative songwriting. These were my first times writing in an environment beyond my bedroom, and I’ve grown significantly as a songwriter in turn.
Finally, you’ve said you have “absolutely no interest in playing it safe.” What’s something you’d love to do on the album that might surprise people who discovered you through ‘Unpretty’?
I’m Armenian, and I grew up in Montreal, which means I’m trilingual. I would definitely hint that this is an important part of the Arabella Lucia sound, and it’s still waiting for its moment to shine!