Underground UK pop sensation Glowe has been winning over fans with each shiny new offering of her vibrant pop sounds, and her empowering new anthem “Mean Girls” will only continue this.
A bold proclamation of self-assurance, “Mean Girls” challenges the negative stereotypes associated with being a loud and confident woman and hears Glowe channel her inner Regina George in order to not be walked all over: “Why do men always seem to be celebrated for their confident and cheeky attitudes yet women get given nasty labels?” Glowe asked via a press release.
“Mean Girls” is the latest in a string of multi-faceted releases from the rising Brit, and one which continues her trajectory as an important new voice in the UK pop landscape. We jumped at the chance to get the tea from Glowe about “Mean Girls,” how to be confident, as well as how the music industry is evolving for women in music – read on to find out!
SheBOPS: “Mean Girls” is a serious bop! Can you walk us through your process of creating the song?
Glowe: Thank you! I actually wrote this song with my producer Pearse Macintyre in one day, which is rare for a whole song to be done in one session. The song honestly wrote itself when Pearse allowed me to just have the freedom to write. I was going through a lot of emotions about the music industry and my career at the time and just poured out my thoughts into my iPhone notes.
“Mean Girls” is described not just as a song but as a movement. How do you hope this single and its powerful message will impact audiences?
I want audiences to listen to this song when they need reassurance. There are loads of songs by Ice Spice, Nicki Minaj and Coi Leray that I use as a tool for when I’m feeling down. Sometimes you just need the wise words of a powerful woman to uplift you. I hope to be exactly that! I want to inspire women to be ‘Mean Girls’ because we deserve that. Looking after yourself and setting boundaries with people does require you to be a little mean. This doesn’t mean you have to be a nasty person, just a smart one.
Tying in with the theme of the song, what advice would you give to those who may be struggling to find their voice or embrace their confidence?
Treat yourself with the same kindness and patience as you would someone else. I think we are always too harsh on ourselves and too understanding of others. Confidence is something you have to find from within and it might take some time. That’s ok! Be nice to yourself and that’s the first step.
You mentioned being labelled as “naughty” or “too much” in school for being confident and outspoken. How did those experiences shape your perception of yourself and your journey as an artist?
I think these labels have followed me wherever I go. Whether that’s been in part time jobs, or working in the music industry. I love to have a good time and I’m not a serious person. This is definitely reflected in my music and my personal life. Having the confidence to speak up about what you believe in or when someone is being mistreated, is a great quality to have.
In your opinion, why do you think those confident and cheeky attitudes are often celebrated in men but criticized or labeled negatively in women – and how do you think society can change this?
I think it boils down to the expectation throughout history for women to follow rules and be ‘seen and not heard’. Whereas, it’s considered ‘manly’ to be confident and loud. This affects both men and women in negative ways. Society’s expectations of us is such a deep rooted issue for our mental health and wellbeing. Social standards do evolve and change and I think it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in uplifting women. Even in recent years I think the landscape of the industry is changing to allow our voices to be heard. Raye is a prime example and is such a huge inspiration to me.
You referred to channeling a bit of Regina George to navigate the music industry. Can you share more about how you’ve embraced assertiveness and confidence in your career, despite societal expectations?
As an artist in 2024, you have to be so much more than just a talented musician. You have to be a whole brand. If you’re an independent artist, you have to build that whole brand by yourself. With lots of noise and other people’s opinions around you, assertiveness and confidence are essential for this – Regina George style.
How do you perceive the evolving landscape for women in the music industry today?
We’re seeing so many more women making the music they want to make without the help of labels and big companies. There are new music events, upcoming artists getting more radio plays and editorial playlist support. I honestly just wish there were more opportunities for funding and for artists to be paid properly. Financially, I know we are all struggling. I’m surrounded by so many independent artist friends and I genuinely think the best thing we can do for eachother is to support one another. Your life will be so much easier with a good network of supportive friends.
Have you encountered any specific instances of gender bias or discrimination in your career? If so, how have you overcome these challenges?
Working with so many men in the music industry does require you to have a very strong understanding of yourself. It’s hard not to listen to everyone else’s opinion of what you should look or sound like. Now I’ve been working in the industry for almost eight years, I think I’ve built up pretty resilient skin and have a stronger understanding of what I want from my career. I’ve definitely had to experience a lot in order to get to the happier place I’m in now.
You recently took to the stage at Cafe Koko in London. How do you feel this performance helped you grow and develop your artistry?
I loved this show so much. So many friends and fans came and it honestly was one of my favourite shows I’ve ever done. Playing live is the best bit of this whole job. Each time I play, I feel like I get better. Each show is a development in my artistry and I think we never stop learning from shows.
You also recently made your live debut in LA. Did you notice any differences between the LA and London crowds during your performance?
I played at a Breaking Sound show in LA and had such a great time but obviously the majority of my fans couldn’t be there. I had friends in LA come down which was incredible but It’s harder to bring a crowd of people to a city you don’t know. I did have such a receptive audience and I managed to drag my uber driver and his friends down to the show which was cool!
Your music has amassed over 3M streams to date, which is awesome and we love to see it. Why do you think your music continues to connect with audiences like this, and what are your biggest goals for your music career?
Thank you so much! I like to think my music will keep connecting as fans grow with me. It’s wonderful to meet people who have been listening since my first release in 2019. It’s always scary to try new things with your sound and I’m very grateful that people have stuck around. I’d love to do an international tour one day. That’s the dream.
What else can we expect from Glowe in 2024?
NEW MUSIC, BIGGER SHOWS AND FUN PARTIES CURATED BY ME