Queer party people and quirky overthinkers, here’s music made for you.

“Chaos is my favorite of the unseen forces",” says Lou Roy. Emerging into the abyss, Lou came out of it victorious and with a debut anti-genre album, ‘Pure Chaos’. On a personal mission of subversing the negative, Lou learnt how to wink at the pain and see beauty in any bullshit. Today, she’s here to teach us this ancient art of letting it all go despite any shadow thought that modern overgrown egos might whisper to our ears. We’re here to listen and celebrate.

Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

Hi I’m Lou Roy :). A she/her from Topanga Canyon. I make music well-suited for loners, party rockers, queers, and overthinkers.

How are you feeling about the release of your debut album ‘Pure Chaos’?

I’m feeling ok. Thank you for asking. Today as I’m answering these q’s it’s sunny, windy, cold. I can’t find the right place to sit and it’s difficult to focus. I suppose I’m nervous about the album coming out. What if they don’t like it? But more importantly, I’m very excited. I’m very proud of it. I think it’s an accurate representation of my perspective and I think the songs are cool. Many people put their whole hearts and energy into it, and it’ll be a joy to share.

Can you tell us more about the themes behind your new record?

Well the title of the record, Pure Chaos, is a good place to start when we talk about the themes. Chaos is my favorite of the unseen forces. As it relates to the music in a literal sense, the album is anti-genre, resulting in a somewhat chaotic listening experience. If you thought you were getting a guitar-based indie rock record when you heard Uppercut, you’ll hear Myth or Down Since ’07 and know it…isn’t that.

In a more poetic way, embracing chaos is the entry point from which all of these songs were realized. These are stories about the moments after I realize that something fucked up or something beautiful has just happened, and how I react and act upon that information. Learning to celebrate chaos and be able to witness my life’s twisty bullshit without judgement has given me a sense of agency. I do a much better job at winking at pain, acknowledging and naming it, which takes away some of its power. I’m just trying to kick back and let chaos reign, so I’m in on the cosmic joke instead of feeling like the punchline of it.

Can you tell us more about how you produce your music?

I’m a singer first so most of my songs start with a lyric and melody that comes to me when I’m driving or in the shower or walking around. I rarely sit down to intentionally create, I do it mostly out of necessity when I feel like I absolutely gotta get something out. After that initial spark then I do the work to finish writing, usually on a guitar or take it into pro tools and fuck around in there.

I used to produce everything myself, but I think collaboration is key for me for that stage of music-making. Bringing the track to life and carving it out of nothing can be daunting and lonely for me, and I like to work with people who are curious and excited by that challenge.

What was it like working with Sarah Tudzin on this album?

Sarah is such a dreamboat. A quick thinker, an open heart, a silly punk-ass little gremlin. She’s got the best taste and mad skills as a producer. She was so open and willing to approach this album in the way that it needed, despite it being nontraditional and a bit out-of-order. Sarah is dedicated to storytelling, and held steadfastly to serving the story of each song with every instrumental or arrangement choice– she too couldn’t give less of a shit about holding to a genre. She also was very encouraging and positive throughout the whole process which my sensitive ass appreciated deeply.

We love your lead single Uppercut. Can you tell us more about the lyrics in this track?

I wanted to be joyful and I was also not in the mood to use a metaphor. That song came together quickly in like 2 sittings because I just decided to be very truthful and not worry about whether people understood what I meant or not. The verses are personal and specific– I love the I-IV chord progression, I love my dog’s fat face, I love my eating with my friends at Fred 62 in Los Feliz, and just decided to say it all plain. But the real point of the song is the acknowledgement of the chaos perched on the sidelines of all those joyful experiences. With time I’ve realized that to try and erase or “solve” pain entirely detracts from the pursuit of joy and makes it harder. I think I had a pretty compartmentalized approach to finding joy–“I can’t be happy until I’ve solved all my pain” or something. It’s ok that I’m not “fixed” yet, I can still have my fun.

What role does humour play in your music?

I was so serious and melodramatic for a long time in my songwriting and it wasn’t entirely true to my personality. I felt like I was forcing myself to have a voice that wasn’t really mine. It can be tempting to do impressions of other writers, but I think my sense of humor brings me back to my sense of self. Sometimes I’m at a loss for what to say or what to play if I feel too caught up in some poetic ethereal seriousness, and getting silly releases me from the pressure I put on myself to be some sort of deep genius.

Can you tell us something interesting about yourself that doesn’t have anything to do with music?

I hope this is interesting. Maybe more concerning? I am a very, very intense fan of Lord of the Rings and Tolkien’s various other works. I really know a lot about it. I take it personally when people don’t like it and I know that’s not very charming. It’s too deep to get into it now but if you’re really interested we can discuss it over dinner.

What’s it like working with Balloon Machine Records?

Thank god for small labels that truly give a shit about music and artists. They’ve been more helpful and shown more passion about this music than any big operation I’ve worked with. They hype me up and I’m really grateful for them, big time.

If your music were a Film or TV show which would it be?

Absolutely 100% it’s Xena: Warrior Princess. It’s a 90s show about a traumatized/ flawed hot queer ass-kicking woman and her path toward redemption. But the real reason I say it’s Xena is for all the insane “comedic” episodes that have that Sam Raimi larger-than-life silliness and physical comedy, and vaudevillian performances from Lucy Lawless. An incredibly chaotic.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s important to you?

“From a Basement on the Hill” by Elliott Smith was the Eirst time I remember Einding music on my own that I decided was something I loved. Everything else had been handed to me from pop culture or a parent, but when I decided to really dive into music I found that album and was so intrigued by it. I was in 7th grade and didn’t understand really what the hell Elliott was on about, but knew it made me feel Eloaty and like I was going to cry (in a cool way).

What do you hate right now?

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas who just made it illegal for parents to affirm their trans childrens’ gender. Fuck you Greg Abbott.

What do you love right now?

“Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You” by Big Thief - specifically the song “Sparrow”.

What comes next in the Lou Roy story?

I hope to tour “Pure Chaos” for a while so I can Eind all of the world’s best diners, drive-ins and dives.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Yes. Here are 5 things that have made my life better that I recommend whole heartedly:

1) Wim Hof’s breathing technique

2) AirPod Pros

3) Wipe down the sink after you do the dishes

4) Ranunculus

5) Tell your crush that you have a crush on them

Start Listening To: Lou Roy