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Q&A with Arlo Parks
- Olive McCagh
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
Interviewed by Olive McCagh
'Ambiguous Desire' was an adventure for London-born artist Arlo Parks. Seduced by nocturnal spaces and nightlife, Arlo spent two years creating the record made for dancing and loving. Between New York and London, the focus was on feeling, yearning, and, of course, desire. Arlo used the outside world and its dancefloors to reflect inward and open up further to audiences. Laced in confidence and covered in neon lights, 'Ambiguous Desire' is a euphoric, beautiful piece of work that elevates the world of Arlo Parks. Through poetry and beatmaking, she makes her mark.
If you could describe the perfect listen to ‘Ambiguous Desire’ front to back, what would that be?
It would be with your favorite person in the world, balmy summer evening, spritz in hand, feeling a bit giddy and a bit nostalgic. It has to be in good company with a whole night ahead of you.
Is there anything you discovered about yourself through the making of this record?
I think I discovered how spontaneous I can be. I’ve always thought of myself as a ritual based, structured person but I had so much fun being loose and playful when I was making the album.
How do you approach working in the studio with others? Was it easy for you to feel comfortable collaborating with Baird?
My creative space is so sacred to me and it takes a while to let somebody into that but Baird is the most trustworthy, sweet and open human being - it was and is so easy to make things with him.
Who do you show your songs to first?
I don’t show my songs to anyone really but I would say my partner or my manager.
What is your favourite lyric on ‘Ambiguous Desire’?
“When I catch a glimpse of heaven I know I can’t take it with me, maybe knowing that is closure”
What are the biggest differences between New York and London to you?
They have such different spirits, there’s something more inherently moody and melancholic to London in the best way and I feel like New York is a bit more fizzy and vibrant.
What do you think pushed you to get more experimental with your sound?
Being an eternal adventure and also wanting to make a record that felt really honest.
What do you desire most right now?
A quiet place to write.
Which is your favourite track to dance to off the record?
The unreleased Jacques Greene remix of Heaven.
Walk me through your perfect night out in NYC?
Pizza at l’industrie, natural wine bar, listening bar boogie, Basement, sunrise
Listen and purchase the album here
