Cover photo taken by Thong Luc
On a gloomy and rainy Saturday afternoon (the last Saturday of September 2023, actually) Chloe and I made our way to the Greek Theater. Sitting in typical LA traffic, I anxiously drummed my fingers against my steering wheel.
Admittedly enough, I was quite nervous as a COVID-lockdown-era fan of rockstar Towa Bird and her viral covers of various songs. Here we were, blessed with an opportunity to sit down with Towa herself and get an inside look at what makes her tick.
Chloe and I waited patiently (and quite eagerly) on the sidewalk outside of Towa’s tour bus, which is parked directly outside of the Greek Theater. I paced a bit, reciting my high school theater director’s tongue twister – seven slippery snakes slithering sideways, seven slippery snakes slithering sideways, seven sli–
In my peripheral, I see her bouncy curls approaching and in typical fan-girl manner, attempt to collect myself and remain as professional as possible. We introduce ourselves to Towa and are escorted onto the tour bus, led into the very back room in a dimly lit and quite intimate space. She chuckles as she shows us their DIY set up for ambient lighting- red SOLO cups are taped over the overhead lights, which sets a dim and reddish glow to the space.
As we put together the video and audio recording setup, the conversation begins to flow quite naturally– almost too naturally, as we shoot the breeze and forget to run through the entire formalities of introducing ourselves and Towa to the camera and whoever would end up watching the recording. Suddenly, we found ourselves in the middle of our interview:
“Like, I’m sharing a lot of parts of myself that I haven’t really spoken about before in this album… so I’m being really vulnerable… and in that way, it’s almost like, that is the new ‘heroic,’ you know?”
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity purposes
Chloe: Speaking of bars though…
Towa: Speaking of bars… I like the Douglas, have you ever been to the Douglas in Echo Park?
It’s kind of like a pub-ish vibe.
I’m trying to look for anything that resembles any sort of British culture, so looking for like a grungier…beer… like that kind of vibe – pints, rather than like, cocktails.
Chloe: Looking for nostalgia in the US?
Towa: Yes, exactly, exactly. [chuckles] And have I found it? Not really, but, I’m gettin’ close!
—
Chloe: Since you’re in America, we wanted to know… we got a tidbit, American Hero…
What is the context behind it? What is your aesthetic [around the music videos and the album itself]?
Towa: Well, the concept for American Hero isn’t supposed to be entirely ironic– because obviously, I’m an immigrant in this country and spent like, a long, grueling couple of months trying to get my visa, and it was like, a whole process.
Writing these songs, was kind of like, I was between places and it was sort of like, a transformation period of my life moving from the UK to the US and trying to like, acclimate to the culture and like, figure out how people speak here… all of the different things that I was adjusting to whilst writing this.
So, I’m not American. I have no American language.
Chloe and Luna: (playfully sarcastic, due to Towa’s clear British accent)
Really???? [both laughing]
Towa: [laughs along] Yeah I know, surprising right? [chuckles]
So yeah, I’m not American and also when I think of like, “an American hero,” I think of like… like kind-of Chris Pratt… like the 6’4” white guy and like, obviously, I’m an Asian queer woman… like, that’s nothing that I resemble… so, it’s supposed to be entirely subversive, this concept.
But then at the same time, you know, a lot of my lyrics are quite vulnerable. But open.
Like, I’m sharing a lot of parts of myself that I haven’t really spoken about before in this album… so I’m being really vulnerable… and in that way, it’s almost like, that is the new “heroic,” you know?
It’s like, now it’s cool… to be emotionally open, to be vulnerable.
Chloe: So like… sort of taking back… the concept of “hero,” what it is?
Towa: Yeah, exactly. So that’s sort of like, the broad brushes of all that stuff.
But like, musically, it kind of falls between this newer… sort of like… this English/American/indie rock sound…
I pulled a lot of influences from like, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Strokes, and that kind of New York scene.
And then like Blur, Oasis… Kasabian, The Vaccines, all of those British bands.
And then, sort of meet in the middle… just sort of this clusterfuck of white boy rock n’ roll [laughs] …but through me, you know?
—
Chloe: I thought it was interesting when you mentioned the “hero” part being like, Chris Pratt.
Because I guess… seeing your music video for “Wild Heart,” I was like, oh! They might be going for more like, Wild West/Frontier-esque [vibes]…
But I think that’s really interesting– because thinking about the Marvel movies and stuff that come out from America, it really is just like, this buff white guy. Like, just conquering, and we all know what happens, so–
Towa: Exactly. “Gets the girl.”
Yeah, what was interesting about the “Wild Heart” thing was like… the lyricism is quite like, I’m being quite like playful and campy about like, the whole Wild West, cowboy-esque aesthetic– but then, in the music video it’s set in a British pub, right? So then it’s like, again, it’s the combination of those cultures…the halfway point between being a British person in America, trying to find some sort of like, normalcy in this new culture.
Chloe: Yeah, a place for your identity to be at… I like the contrast I guess [between the cultures]… it highlights it.
Towa: Yeah, I’m trying to think about this stuff, yanno? [chuckles]
Chloe and Luna: [laughs along]
Towa: I’m trying to be intentional.
Chloe: I do that all the time, like try to make it more poetic.
Luna: So you spoke a bit about, you know, vulnerability and being heroic and things like that.
I find comfort in just being able to relate to your lyrics, especially from “This Isn’t Me” – “We can pretend that we’re gonna be best friends / After tonight, I’ll never see you again.”
It was just kind of like, this amicable breakup kinda thing, kinda a case of bad timing to where maybe there’s hope down the line? But just realistically, “I’ll never see you again.”
So I was wondering, like, you’re able to tap into that and you know, communicate that through your lyrics. But for you, how do you cope with heartbreak?
Like, what brings you joy during those times– do you like going out more in nature… do you kind of just like, uhm, spend more time with friends? What helps you?
Towa: Well, I’m Fillipino so like, what has always been really important to my family and growing up is like, a sense of community– whether that be through like, friends or family.
You kind of are very outward with your emotions…yeah I love to be around people even though I’m like… a quiet extrovert, yanno? Like, I’m not the most loudest in the room but I love being around people…that’s how I get my energy… being around my friends, being around my family.
My family live in Hong Kong and my sister lives with them and so we’re all kind of like spread out. So whenever I do get the chance to like, talk to them and catch up with them I’m very grateful for for that.
So, yeah. People really. People that I love too, to short-answer your question. It’s huge to me.
Towa: But I also do love being outside. Like I had a very “BBQ” summer.
Luna: Nice! Very “American” of you. [laughs]
Towa: Yeah, exactly. [laughs along]
Chloe: American-cooorrrreee.
Towa: Yes, also like butch-lesbian-core.
Chloe and Luna: [cheers]
Towa: Like I was out there in my tank top and my little shorts and was like flipping burgers… and yeah, it was good.
“I love to be around people even though I’m like… a quiet extrovert, yanno? Like, I’m not the most loudest in the room but I love being around people…that’s how I get my energy… being around my friends, being around my family.“
—
Luna: So I am also Southeast Asian– I’m Cambodian, so I love just like, having that representation…
Chloe: For the headlines, it’s like, okay– [to Towa] You’re a TikTok star, you’re queer, uhm, Asian… like…
Towa: Box-checkin’… University applications’ wet dream.
Chloe: Literally! I’m like, where’s that diversity quota…
I guess like… everyone has like, labels that are identity. I’m queer, mixed, yanno?
Does it feel empowering to you to be able to represent that? Or is it scary that you have to be the face of that? Or is it like… you feel boxed-in?
I feel like, in the industry it’s like, “Oh this is the best woman artist” but like – “I’m a good artist”… Humans are multifaceted. You’re more than just that, obviously…I’m curious to hear what you think about that.
Towa: Honestly? I don’t really give a fuck… I have spent many years trying to figure out, like who I am and who I want to be. And yeah, I feel very secure in my identity like, whether that be labeled or label-less.
Like, I know who I am… I feel super strong in that, so like, whatever people decide to assign me as then like, I’m okay because I’m happy and I’m content…
I also think that it is really important to represent, you know, like this is who I am– all of these things, whether it be queer, mixed, Asian, woman, whatever it is… there isn’t that much of that in culture and in society- or like, represented in media. So like, I think that’s super important… for me to be that for people. And it is really meaningful when kiddos will like, DM me, or like come up to me after shows and be like, “Thank you for being ___” and then insert one of the words— “Thank you for being so open about your sexuality.” — “I’m Asian, I grew up in an Indonesian household, thank you for speaking on that.”
Honestly? I don’t really give a fuck… I have spent many years trying to figure out, like who I am and who I want to be. And yeah, I feel very secure in my identity like, whether that be labeled or label-less.
So if I can do that for them, then that means well. But you know, I’m not thinking about it like I’m just talking about myself. I’m talking about my upbringing, I’m talking about my culture. And then if that helps people out, then [makes a heart shape with her fingers] swag. [laughs]
Chloe: No, it’s nice… to be seen, to be heard, like within those spaces… it means so much to people… It’s like, you’re not even doing that…
Towa: I mean at the end of the day, I’m just like, talking about myself… like any other like, white person would be doing, you know? So like… [shrugs].
Luna: I feel like ten years ago it was harder to feel like you could see yourself in the things that you consume, you know? So, I think that’s something that’s really nice for Gen Z to have… to just feel seen.
Towa: Yeah, absolutely. It’s so important.
—
Luna: I just noticed [gestures to Towa’s left hand] one of your finger tattoos– is that a C?
Towa: Yeah, that is a C. My sister’s name is Catherine.
Luna: Aww. What was your first tattoo?
Towa: This one.
Luna: That one?
Towa: [nods yes] I got this one when I was like, freshly 18, maybe like 3 days after my birthday.
Luna: Did it hurt?
Towa: Actually, yeah.
Chloe: ‘Cause it was like straight to the bone, right?
Towa: Well, it was also like, the first experience of having a tattoo. So it’s like, that’s the first. But I’m, you know, [gestures all over their left arm, which is covered by their sweater] I got things happening over here now.
[unzips their sweater] Like, I’m pretty tatted up, I guess… But then I also think, maybe I’m not? I sort of like, go between phases of you know, like [showing us her arm] I could definitely, like fill a little bit of space.
Luna: You’ve got time.
Towa: But yeah [puts her sweater back on] this is what I’m rockin’.
Chloe: I was just talking about matching tattoos, how they’re like, such a… curse.
Last night, we’re talking about how like, breakups and relationships and stuff like that that? You get the name on there and it just…
Towa: See… I don’t mind. [grins]
Chloe: Really?
Towa: I don’t mind getting matching tattoos because, like… To me, this [gestures to her tattooed arm] is like a journal. ‘Cause I try and go for like different places, different [tattoo] artists every time and then it’s like, I have a little memory of each moment in my life.
Like, if I was really close with a person and we have matching tattoos, I’m like, yeah. I want to like, honor that, you know? I was really close to them and close enough to get a fucking tattoo, so… I don’t mind.
But I haven’t– I’m saying that I haven’t had any like, breakups with any of my tattoo partners. Like, whether it be platonic or romantic.
Like, if I was really close with a person and we have matching tattoos, I’m like, yeah. I want to like, honor that, you know? I was really close to them and close enough to get a fucking tattoo, so… I don’t mind.
—
Luna: So, we’re from UCLA Radio and like–
Towa: Yeah– thank you for having me.
Luna: Yeah! Like, thank you. Like, THANK YOU so much for sitting down with us.
We all have like, our own little DJ names and stuff– like, I’m DJ Looney Luna, you know? Like, kind of like Looney Tunes.
Towa: Hell yeah.
Chloe: DJ Caprisun.
Towa: That’s you?
Chloe: That’s me– DJ Caprisun or DJ Capri-Sun for FKA Twigs [referencing FKA Twigs’ first mixtape, Caprisongs].
Towa: [smiling and making a heart shape with her fingers] Loooovvveeee.
Chloe: We’re like, birthday twins.
Luna: Love that.
Towa: Wait, is she a Capricorn?
Chloe: Yes, she is!
Towa: Yeah that’s— [grins] No, it’s all making sense now.
Luna: If you had to pick a DJ name, what would it be?
Okay, uhm [laughs] I would either for– my friends used to call me uh, “towel.” It’s kind of close to Towa. So either DJ Towel– or my friends also used to call me “Boa Turd.” So like, the opposite of “Towa Bird.” So I’d go with that. `
Towa: Ohhh… uhhhh…
Chloe: Yeah. Can’t be Towa Bird, sorry.
Towa: Okay, uhm [laughs] I would either go for– my friends used to call me uh, “towel.” It’s kind of close to Towa. So either DJ Towel– or my friends also used to call me “Boa Turd.” So like, the opposite of “Towa Bird.” So I’d go with that.
Chloe: [cheers] DJ Boa Turd on the air waves!
Towa: I would play like 100 Gecs, and like hyperpop, and like Charlie XCX’s pandemic album.
—
[we inquired about whether or not there was a guitar present on the tourbus, to which Towa answered no– since all the equipment had been loaded up inside the Greek Theater for soundcheck]
Luna: So, there was like, this documentary series on YouTube called “My Life in Five Riffs” – have you heard of it?
Towa: I think so, yeah.
Luna: That would have been fun to do with you and like, have you play it.. But like, you can also just talk about which riffs that you like or like, which songs.
Towa: Yeah. I mean, iconically, “Smoke on the Border,” that has to be like, number one.
And then probably “Stairway to Heaven” because of how funny it is to me.
Luna: Just “Wayne’s World?”
Towa: Just “Waynes World.” Just “ Waynes World” reference. It’s like, so culturally important– that riff– that I feel like I’ve got to mention it?
But then, also like, uhh… “Masseduction” by St. Vincent. Those riffs are fucking crazy.
And then I guess I have to do “Sweet Child of Mine,” unfortunately. [grins while Chloe laughs]
Uhm… and then I guess I would also probably do like– have you seen Prince playing “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” the solo? It’s not a riff, it’s a solo. But he does a live version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and I would also like that as well– a little retro.
Luna: Thank you for sharing!
Towa: Yeah!
Chloe: Alright, should we wrap it up?
Luna: Yeah.
Towa: Boom! [makes a motion of a movie-production clapperboard shutting] Cut!
Towa Bird is currently on tour with Renee Rapp – check out our coverage of LA’s 9/30 show at The Greek Theatre here! You can also check out Towa Bird’s discography and socials below.
