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Photo: Sandra Jamaleddine

If you love pop music and haven’t tuned in to Rose Gray yet, you’re already behind. You’re also probably straight. Her debut album, Louder, Please, is making waves as the weather grows hotter, celebrated for its timeless nature and addictive pure pop sound. When we heard Rose was making her U.S. performance debut at OUTLOUD Festival at Weho Pride, we knew we had to capture the moment in history. We chatted with the rising star about her American debut at Pride before her set, which attracted a crowd of excited festival-goers prepared to get “Wet & Wild” and dance the day away. 

OnesToWatch: This is your first time playing a show in the U.S…ever.

Rose Gray: I know, a bit dramatic isn’t it? 

It's the perfect setting, you could not be in a better place. How are you feeling about it? 

I feel really good. I'm always a bit of a weirdo before shows, I become quite reserved. I think I’m saving my energy, but I’m really excited. 

Photo: Sandra Jamaleddine

You just toured with Sugababes, what surprised you? 

What surprised me is how different every city is, in the energy. I knew before which ones are more clubby, obviously, like Paris, Manchester, Amsterdam. It was a really good experience. Also, watching the girls, after growing up listening to them, was so impressive. They do a two hour set with all of the hits, all live. It's really inspiring. 

Such a perfect pairing too. I'm interested to see what you think when you tour the U.S. later this year. What cities are you going to? 

Charlotte, Florida, Atlanta…My management keeps being like, “Oh If you think L.A. is hot, get ready.” But I’m excited because I’ve only ever been to New York and Los Angeles. 

Florida has such a Louder, Please vibe. 

The tour finishes in Florida, as well! I have to have a holiday. 

Photo: Sandra Jamaleddine

Your debut album has been out for a couple months, but now that it's getting hotter I feel like it’s blossoming. It’s Louder, Please season. 

Yeah, doesn’t it? I've noticed every day there's more people reaching out and connecting with me, or just discovering me. It’s really interesting because it's been a slow build. I'm also working on Louder, Please’s sister that I will start to release very soon... 

Oh my God, that’s so exciting. Last time we chatted you said that you make music all the time, so I’m not surprised. 

It took me a little bit of time to figure out the businessy things, otherwise I would’ve put it out months ago. But I’m so excited for everyone to hear it, I think the timing will work out. 

Obviously, pop stars with queer fan bases are such a cultural staple. How does it feel to know how much the queer community is already supporting you? I literally discovered your music through gay Twitter. 

From people posting the artwork? 

Yes! I was like, “Let me see if this music sounds as good as this artwork” so you can imagine how gagged I was. 

I am deep in the hole of gay Twitter. Everyone was telling me to leave the platform and then I found my community on there. It is a bit of a lifeline for me, I'm always on it. I ask fans questions and ideas for remixes, or who they want me to support. It’s really helpful. 

Having a gay fanbase means the world to me. I've grown up with all my friends being queer. At points in my friend group, I've been the only one in a relationship with the opposite gender. It's all I know. They’re my people. They know the best clubs, wear the best fashion…there’s a sensibility that queer people have. I just think they’re such wonderful humans. They have all the best bits too. 

Photo: Sandra Jamaleddine

How did you pick the setlist for OUTLOUD Festival at Weho Pride?

Honestly, I've just chucked everything in. I always start with “Damn”, which I didn’t do at the Sugababes tour because I didn’t want to scare the mums. [Laughs] I start with a little spoken word “Hackney Wick” moment into “Damn”, I put “Wet & Wild” at the front to get all the movement out. I’m happy with the setlist, it’s actually a bit over 30 minutes…

The lineup is obviously crazy. How do you feel like performing alongside so many gay icons and who are you most excited to see play? 

Paris, Rebecca Black, obviously Shygirl, she's a really good friend. Definitely Remi Wolf. Also Tommy Genesis, who’s right next door. It’s rare to look at a lineup and know every single artist, I don’t know them personally but I actually know everyone’s name. It’s such an amazing list. 

Why do you think the queer community connects with your style of pop music so deeply? 

For my music, the club element is a big part of it I reckon. I don't want to toot my own trumpet, but I definitely have found a lot of inspiration in the pop icons who have come before me and my contemporaries. 

Like we said earlier, you're a student of pop. 

Yeah, I love the science of pop music. And the structure of it. 

Pop is in such an exciting place right now, what’s exciting you the most? 

We're in an era of wonky pop. And by that, I mean it's not straight down the line. It's the weirder, the better, even for artists like Sabrina. Obviously Chappell and Charli have changed so much. Personally, I’ve noticed a massive shift. I’ve been making this music for years and for it to now make sense to a room full of men in the industry…I don’t know if I love it or hate it. But at least I’m able to sign exciting deals and feel like whatever I put out next will be supported. I’ve been very much an indie girl and I loved that, but it comes with difficulties. Now, I feel like my music's going to travel further. I'm going to have the resources to do it. So, I'm thankful that electronic pop is being taken very seriously now. 

I really feel like Charli just opened the floodgates. 

And even Shygirl with “Nymph”, she was tapping into that. There are loads of underground artists who have been doing it for years and years. But “BRAT” changed a lot.

Photo: Sandra Jamaleddine

When I saw you were on the lineup for WeHo Pride, I knew I had to capture this moment in history. I personally believe this is the start of an amazing journey. 

Aw, thank you. I do feel it as well! I was held back for so long with this album, it was finished a very long time ago. I've got so much more in me. I’m very proud of Louder, Please, but I also see it as just the beginning. 

That's one of the best qualities of Louder, Please, the timelessness of it.  

I feel it has a timeless energy. So many people are coming back to this album, I’ve noticed. I was dismissed by some at first, but I see posts online where people are actually changing their mind about it. 

Photo: Sandra Jamaleddine