EMPRESS OF US
Lorely Rodriguez (Empress Of) sits down with us during her international tour to talk new music, influences, and empowerment.
What is your new album ‘Us’ about? What inspired it?
My album has been out for almost a year now. It meant something totally different when I put it out. The songs were so fresh. About my friends, my family, about collaborating. Now the songs mean so much more. I’ve traveled the world playing them everywhere. This album is about growth and evolving through these songs. It’s about all the faces I see when I play!
Your debut album was titled ‘Me’ and your new album ‘Us’. Is there a continual or meta-narrative being told through your music?
I like a series. Not saying the third album will have anything to do with this, but the titles felt appropriate, especially because I took a big leap and collaborated with other artists.
You have spoken previously about your parents and their influence on your love of music. Do any moments or memories stand out as being particularly influential?
My dad is an incredible pianist and forced me to read and play music from the age of 6. I remember being young and trying to play a Beatles song off the sheet music but not being able to read but being too stubborn to ask for his help haha.
Who are your more recent artistic influences?
I love a lot of young artists all over the world. I really think Slow Thai is doing some crazy shit. I love Clairo and Ambar Lucid. There’s so much good music coming out right now.
You live in LA and the United States is socially and politically very divided at the moment, as is much of the Western world. Does this change the creative space for you as a woman of color?
I think it hasn’t impacted my music in an organic way yet. I’m not writing protest songs. For me, that stuff has to just flow out of you for other people to believe it. That’s why I think people relate to my song Woman is a word. I NEEDED to write that song. Right now I try to empower other minorities and womxn by just working hard and giving back to my community whenever I can.
Your costumes and outfits are very special, as your Mom makes many of them. How do you feel creating and performing while wearing them? Has your Mom always made clothes for you?
My mom used to make my clothes as a kid. I asked her to make the first outfit for tour because I didn’t have enough money to buy what I actually wanted. It’s been a blessing in disguise. She’s grown so much over these last looks. I’ve learned a lot about fabrics and my body. It’s a new passion of mine. It also makes me feel like a total boss on stage :)
Listen to her new release with Kito ‘WIld Girl’ here
For more tour dates & merchandise here
Lorely is wearing; Kit X with dooc Martens, Holiday the Label with Reliquia Jewellery, tour merch with Mariam Seddiq skirt, Nike shoes & Valet Studio earrings, ASOS dress
Photography | Simone Taylor, Words | Elizabeth Milstead, Styling | Isabella Mamas, Assistant | Jay Rickards, MUA | Tri Anh Nguyen
Special thanks to Jodie, Juliette & Christina