More about: Arlo Parks
'I’ve never felt more alive and full of purpose'
Arlo Parks posted a cryptic Tweet yesterday afternoon (18 October). "Green Eyes is coming on Tuesday along with some mind bendingly big news" she wrote alongside a mesmerising self-portrait fashioned as cover art. Is the big album news incoming? We think it's definitely possible!
It's been a huge, huge year for Arlo, who has collaborated with Glass Animals, Phoebe Bridgers and Easy Life as well as released a string of ever-delectable tunes. She's the darling of radio and the one to watch in the history of ones to watch.
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It's been over a year since we sat down and spoke to her at the AIM Awards 2019, where she was nominated for (what else?) the One to Watch award. A life-altering 365 days later, and we caught up with Arlo again.
Gigwise: Hi Arlo! I interviewed you last year at the AIM Awards when you had quite recently been signed and were on the beginning of this nuts trajectory that's happened in the time since. How has it been for you?
Arlo Parks: It’s been overwhelming, surreal, exciting, exhausting - a whirlwind essentially! I’ve never felt more alive and full of purpose.
GW: Last September you'd just finished up your A-Levels - have you been able to focus on your music more instead? How has that been?
AP: I’ve been doing music full time all year. It’s been so beautiful to be able to immerse myself in my work fully, I do feel like I’m in a bit of a bubble though as most of my friends are at uni.
GW: And of course you won the (AIM One to Watch) award this year - what did that mean to you? Were there any memorable moments from the night inside the Roundhouse?
AP: It meant the world to have this level of recognition this early in my career, I couldn’t quite believe it. It reinforced the fact that what I’m doing is helping people. I think running around with Marika, Wes and the Transgressive lot was my highlight [from last year].
GW: Your new song 'Hurt' made me cry! Are there any particular moments over the course of the last year that you could have used that same kind of empathy?
AP: I’m glad it moved you. I feel like everyone has been having bad patches recently, there were moments where I felt pretty lonely and terrified about the future but what’s important is to focus on what you do have (whatever that may be) and invest in your own joy.
GW: 'Black Dog' is equally moving. Does it come from a personal place? It touched a personal note for me.
AP: I wrote it for my best friend who was going through an incredibly hard time. All of my songs are written through my eyes or are something I’ve lived.
GW: Have you developed how you write your beats at all?
AP: Definitely. My process is constantly changing and shifting, I’ve been into a lot more jamming and improvisation lately.
GW: What kind of ambitions do you have that are outside of music?
AP: Writing a poetry book, being in or directing movies, curating exhibitions, owning a dog.
GW: What spaces and things influence your poetry?
AP: My friends, flowers, after-parties, living rooms, parks, beaches and long drives.
GW: Phoebe Bridgers said she'd work with you again - is the feeling mutual?
AP: Most definitely, she’s a star.
GW: You've been doing a lot of covers recently - what do you try and bring to a song that you like?
AP: I try and bring myself to the song - it’s the song through my lens after all.
GW: And the poundshop version of a cover...karaoke! What's your favourite karaoke song?
AP: 'I’m a slave 4 U' by Britney Spears.
GW: What's next for you? What are you most excited for?
AP: I’m putting out my album! And I’m most excited for playing gigs and producing more tunes myself.
GW: Thanks Arlo!
Eyes peeled for the big secret news this Tuesday.
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More about: Arlo Parks
Photo: Press/Twitter
