Welcome to today’s exclusive interview with UPSAHL, the boundary-pushing singer-songwriter who’s reshaping the pop landscape with her electrifying sound and magnetic stage presence. With over 700 million worldwide streams and critical acclaim from BBC Radio 1 to Billboard, UPSAHL has solidified herself as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Join us as she takes us behind the scenes of her latest single “Summer So Hot” and offers insights into her upcoming Melt Me Down tour.
“Summer So Hot” captures a nostalgic summer vibe. What personal experiences or memories inspired the song, especially given its creation during London’s winter?
I grew up spending a lot of my summers with my grandparents on the lake in Arizona and on the beach at “surf camp” in SoCal. When I think of summer, I just imagine the feeling of being by the water with the people I love. When we wrote it in London when it was pouring rain and freezing, I think we were all feeling pretty nostalgic for that feeling.
You’re about to embark on your biggest tour yet. How are you feeling about it, and what can fans expect from your live shows this time?
I’ve played a lot of shows in the past couple years, and I would say my biggest goal going into my headline tour this year is to make the set feel world’s apart from the sets I’ve been playing on recent tours. Obviously, my show will always feel like a rock show because those were the shows I grew up loving, but I want to take the crowd on a bit more of a journey with this tour. I want people to feel like they get to live in their own little world with me during these shows.
“Summer So Hot” marks a new sound for you. How did you approach creating this song, and what makes it special to you?
I started developing the sound for the new music and my album with Khris Riddick Tynes (A&R, producer) in the fall of last year. I wanted it to feel very nostalgic, pulling a lot of inspiration from music in the early 2000s: Gwen Stefani X Pharrell, Nelly Furtado X Timbaland, Britney Spears, Fergie, etc. I think “Summer So Hot” is just the tip of the iceberg of the world that this new music lives in.
You’ve had some incredible career moments. What’s been the highlight for you so far, and why?
A highlight that will always stand out to me was my set at Lollapalooza last year. I have never felt that present on stage before, and it truly felt like a “holy sh*t, this is my life” moment.
The music video for “Summer So Hot” looks like a blast to film. Any fun stories or moments from behind the scenes?
The real tea about the “Summer So Hot” music video is that it was actually freezing cold and overcast that whole day. It took me back to the same longing for summer feeling I had when writing it—life imitates art, I guess (laughs).
Talking about “Summer So Hot,” you mentioned escaping to wherever the day takes you. What are some of your favourite summer activities or places to unwind when you’re not making music?
I lovvvvve going to the beach. I feel like I am 10 years old again when I get to swim in the ocean; it really is the most recharging thing I do during the summer.
You’ve written songs for artists like Dua Lipa and Demi Lovato. How does your songwriting process differ when it’s for yourself compared to others?
Any chance I get to work with another dope artist, I feel so inspired. Not only does it get me out of my own head to tell somebody else’s story, but I get to learn so much from them while working together.
As you prepare for your upcoming Melt Me Down tour, how do you get ready for such a busy schedule of performances?
I actually feel like my life is calmest when I’m on the road. Even though it’s chaotic, I love the routine and idea of “same sh*t, different city.” I get to fully immerse myself in the tour and be fully present the whole time, which is sometimes hard to do when I’m back home in LA.
Your music mixes pop with alternative influences. How do you balance these genres, and what else inspires your creative process?
I grew up listening to a lot of rock and punk music because my dad was in punk bands throughout my childhood. I feel like no matter what genre I do, that punk influence will always sneak its way into the music. I try not to think too much about genre when writing; to me, it’s more about just making music that feels authentic to me at the time.
In 2023, you did UPSAHL PRESENTS: THE PHX TAPES. Are there more experimental projects like that coming, and how do they challenge you creatively?
Oh definitely! Working on the PHX Tapes was so freeing… I don’t think I would have been able to make this new album had it not been for the creative freedom that The PHX Tapes taught me. It challenges me to get out of my own head, not worry about “fitting into a box,” and to let the music lead the way. I feel like I’ve taken a lot of that perspective into making this new album.
As you continue to evolve as an artist and connect with audiences worldwide, what do you feel is the most important message or feeling you want your music to leave with listeners?
I mainly want to empower people to just be the realest most unapologetic version of themselves through my music. Whether it’s by listening to a song that makes you feel like a badass, or listening to a more vulnerable stripped down song, my goal is to inspire people to embrace wherever they’re at in life.
Don’t miss your chance to experience UPSAHL live on her Melt Me Down tour! Visit her official website for tour dates, tickets, and exclusive updates. Join us in celebrating her electrifying music and unforgettable performances across the globe.
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