YOUR QUEER SOUNDTRACK
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You’ve moved from Australia to London as an emerging queer pop artist—how has that transition shaped your sound and your identity as a songwriter?
Growing up in a racist and backwards country like Australia, I often felt very suppressed and shut out from the world. Moving to London, I got to experience being a gay man in a way I never knew was possible. It was like finally seeing in colour! And that's allowed me to write about experiences that are much richer but also from a place of loving myself.
Your music often blends vulnerability with high-energy pop production. How do you balance emotional storytelling with creating tracks that are built for the dance floor?
When writing, I always prioritise writing lyrics that allow for connection, after all that's what music is about! And the vibe of the song will organically show itself as I develop the song. So even though I may be writing a dance floor track, I often still have lyrics that will evoke emotions and couldn't imagine writing without doing so.
As a queer artist, how important is visibility and representation in your work, and how do you intentionally (or unintentionally) reflect that in your songwriting?
While telling stories about being a person of colour in my work is important, one of the most crucial aspects of my writing is showing that I am a multi-faceted person. So although I'll write about feeling invisible, I'll still write about feeling sexy. I am not a single faceted person and my stories are never soley focussed about one aspect of my silly gay life!
Who are some of your biggest musical or cultural influences right now, and how are they showing up in your current creative direction?
Currently I am stanning Rita Ora and Dua Lipa - these two girlies I feel embody the pop music of the noughties. Pop music has evolved so much but I just can't let go of the structures and melodies before the era of TikTok. So in that sense, I still write to traditional structures of the songs that I grew up to. I just loved boy bands and girl groups so much!
What has been the most challenging part of building your career independently in the UK music scene so far?
I can't name just one because the whole journey is a challenge. Such as an over-saturated market, AI making music and taking space from real human artists and having to rebuild after the pandemic. The biggest challenge though (and I appreciate this isn't specfic to the UK scene) is the constant demand to create social media content when making music is already so consuming. Lastly, the cost of living crisis has impacted live music; people are spending less on entertainment, resulting in fewer performance opportunities.
Your new single Madrid (Dance All Summer) is out now—what’s the story behind it, and what inspired its sound and energy?
To be honest, I was due for a summer song. I had been performing a previous single, "Chasing Highs," to death! The sound and energy were inspired by my trips to Spain and time spent on the beaches there. I wanted to evoke that distinct feeling when the air smells different, watching the beautiful Spanish men and their inherent cultural link to music.
“Madrid (Dance All Summer)” feels like it carries a strong sense of escapism and movement. What does “summer” represent to you in this track?
For me, it means being with people I love, with complete freedom to express myself. I look up at the sky and immerse myself in the beauty of the life I've built to lead to this moment on the dance floor. For me, summer in Madrid represents fully giving myself to that moment.
How does your songwriting process usually begin—do you start with lyrics, melody, production ideas, or lived experience?
I'm sure many artists say this but it changes from song to song. Sometimes I'll hear a new song and want to emulate a similar vibe, other times, I'll start with a hook, and sometimes I'll start with a story. But wherever it starts, I will always want the lyrics, melody, or structure to have a sense of addictiveness.
What do you hope queer listeners specifically take away from your music and your journey as an artist?
I want my queer listeners to feel their own unique beauty when they listen to my music. Whether it's sexy, imperfect, brave, or insecure - the whole rainbow of emotions is beautiful and I want them to see that in themselves.
Looking ahead, what’s next for you after this release—are there themes, collaborations, or sounds you’re excited to explore in 2026 and beyond?
I have a few demos already in the works, currently thinking of making an EP called 'Wonderboy' which depicts a more vulnerable side to me but my music always evolves as I make it so we shall see! I'm just excited to be making more delicious pop music!