Disclaimer: This interview included free tickets to a paid event.
Manchester’s very own Pale Waves have always thrived on nostalgia, glittering synths and queer celebration. Forming in 2014 when Heather Baron-Gracie met drummer Ciara Doran at university, the band drew attention from record label Dirty Hit, and won BBC’s Sound of 2018 poll before their debut album My Mind Makes Noises even dropped. Since then, Pale Waves have supported the likes of The 1975 and Halsey, stacked up four UK Top 40 albums, millions of streams and a devoted fan base.
Now, they embark on the Still Smitten tour this October, and Pale Waves’ lead singer Heather Baron-Gracie reflects on their fourth album, released last year, Smitten. Loved up and dreamy, this synth pop sound feels like a diary entry in its delivery, becoming an unofficial soundtrack for young queer romance, something Heather embraces sincerely.
Heather is no stranger to mixing things up.
“It’s always good to bring different people to the circle”, she says.” When you write with the same person you usually get a similar feeling”.
This checks out. Singles like Kiss Me Again, Perfume and Glasgow feel like sister songs. Their cohesive guitar riffs and ethereal beats form one romantic web. Those tracks were written with Simon Ashcroft in LA, a longtime collaborator. “What we create is some of my favourite stuff”, Heather adds.
Back in the UK, Heather writes with a different energy. Alongside bandmate Hugo Silvani and Ben Leftwich (known for his work with The 1975 and CMAT), she creates something with a rougher sound. Together, they crafted the passionate Miss America. “I don’t think we would have created something like Miss America with Simon”, Heather admits. Keeping an uncomplicated, small circle is key; “You don’t want too many people; it can just be like a shitshow.”
Of course, people and places are not the only influences. Pale Waves and nostalgia are synonymous with each other; an 80s pop synth throwback with 21st century edge. Like many of us, Heather resorts to the comfort of old favourites: “I listen to the same stuff all the time. I like what I like. I always listen to the Cocteau Twins, The Cranberries, Paramore”.
So how does the band keep its distinct sound while holding onto its familiar favourites? “I write new stuff because I write with new people. They bring a new taste to the equation”, she explains. However, this does not make the process any more predictable, even for Heather. “With evolving the sound, I never know with me. I can never trust myself. The fans are always like, “you always do your own thing, we never know what we are gonna get from you” and I’m like I never know what I’m gonna get from myself!”
Creative uncertainty can be both thrilling and infuriating. “I’ve started writing for the next project and we’ve got nine songs but I’m not sure I like any of it now. And I might change the direction of it going completely”, she says exasperatedly.
Heather isn’t the only one shocked by the songs; the fans are too. Smitten delighted many who missed the romantic sounds of the earlier albums but did not send positive waves to everyone. “Some people were annoyed. They were like, ‘I really liked what they were doing with Unwanted. That shocked me, is that what people really liked from us?”
Through it all, Heather remains committed to one area: representing queer love. She’s long been open about her sexuality, stating in Vanity Fair, “When I came out of the womb, I was gay.” While each Pale Wave album explores queer relationships, Smitten feels like an openly lesbian love letter. Perhaps more importantly, it has a sense of normality. “There’s a lot of gay male songs out there. I love that but for women, there aren’t that many. There is more now, like Chappell Roan and Renee Rapp”.
There is power when she plays live. “When we play, She’s My Religion, I can see it’s a moment to so many people in the crowd. When you’re in a huge festival, it’s still amazing but when you’re so close to people and you can see their faces and their expression, you can tell they feel a sense of identity, and they feel seen from hearing me and seeing me up there.”
As Heather wears her heart on her sleeve, I cannot help but think how right she is. While making small and slow strides, the space for lesbian love songs is limited, and too often sexualised. Think I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry.
The boy meets girl narrative is everywhere, almost to the point of cliché. But what about girl meets girl? Well, Pale Waves never shy away from that narrative. They celebrate all types of love.
“It’s who I am. I am Queer. I’m always gonna talk about it. It’s a huge story of my life.”
Q&A
Are there songs you think you will become fonder of and some less fond of on tour?
“I have a love hate relationship with many Pale Waves songs. Theres some songs that I am never gonna play like Loveless Girl. We tried that once and it was a disaster. A song like Heavenly, I’ve not played that song in five years or something. I decided to play it at this secret set for Leeds festival. Might bring that to the tour but not sure yet. There are some songs I love like Jealousy. I get to have my unhinged moment so Jealousy will always stay.”
Will there be any throwbacks on the setlist?
“Maybe Heavenly. There will definitely we surprises. The fans will be surprised by some of the picks for this tour. It’s not 100% yet, but there will be some surprises.”
Do you or the band have any pre or post show rituals?
“They’re always partying. An hour before stage then five hours after stage. They pop all the bottles of prosecco and Ciara’s on the Jamieson. I always say to them as long as you’re not too drunk on stage then I’ll let you off.”
“I’m really boring though. I just drink my tea. I’m usually in a different room warming up. I get off stage and meet all the fans. I shower and go to bed.”
You can’t always be rock and roll, right?
“I’ve done it for many years. Been there, done that now.”
A lyric from smitten that sums up your mood right now?
“Dreaming? Am I Dreaming?” because I’m so tired and out of it right now.”
What is one song you wish you had written by another artist?
Stay by Shakespeare’s Sister.
What is one tour essential?
“VocalZones. It’s like a little menthol throat sweet. I always pop five before I go on stage. I couldn’t go on without one”
Have you got a most excited city to play in?
“Glasgow or Manchester.”
How do you want fans to feel when they exit the venue?
“Good overwhelmed. Excited. Gay.”
Catching Heather in her mid-tour prep, reflecting on their latest album, it’s obvious Pale Waves are all about being honest with themselves. Whether that’s chasing new sounds with L.A. collaborators or scrapping a whole album because it doesn’t feel right, Heather thrives on unpredictability. With that, along with their open celebration of queer love, Pale Waves are so much more than a nostalgic act.
For those eager to experience Smitten in all its live glory, fans can catch the Still Smitten tour across the UK this Autumn. With promised setlist surprises, moments for vulnerability and a crowd devoted to queer expression, Pale Waves promise a thrilling night out.
Words By Emma Howe