A Quick Chat With Your Girl Pho
For those who are unfamiliar, how would you describe Your Girl Pho in 3 words?
Sassy, loud, Energetic
Congratulations on the release of your debut album ‘Fate So Wrong’. Where did the name come from?
Thank you! The name ‘Fate So Wrong’ reflects the album’s exploration of the tension between destiny and personal agency. It encapsulates the feeling of grappling with the idea that fate might not align with our desires or expectations, and it questions whether this mismatch is a sign of failure or simply a different path. Those moments when life’s grand plan doesn’t quite match your vision, and you’re left wondering if fate’s just teasing you or if it’s all part of a twisted love story.
Were you trying to capture any core themes or vibes on the release?
Yes, the core themes of the album revolve around the struggle between pursuing artistic dreams and maintaining personal relationships. The album delves into the philosophical contemplation of fate and identity, capturing the emotional and existential conflicts that arise when balancing these often conflicting desires. The last few years I have had an at times toxic relationship with music and how its tied so strongly with identity. Pursuing Music in a career sense at times made me unhappy and if the solution was to quit, I then had a lot of turmoil over who I was if not a musician/creative.
What was the writing and creation process like?
This album has come together from many eras and chapters over the last few years. Some songs were written and recorded in Boorloo, Perth in such a different time of my life and others were born in the new City I call home Naarm, Melbourne. But the process remained the same, usually in a little DIY bedroom studio. I remember when I made "Make Ur Bed" I was living in a bungalow studio in a share house with 3 other musicians who were sitting in their bedrooms making music what felt like every night. I was so inspired by this environment and made the song within the hour. It was then a lot of back and forth with producer Tim Cox, so many variations, but the one that ended up on the record was of course the bungalow version. This was the way it went with most the tracks on the album. I'd start rerecording and "fixing" things and realise I had it just right in the first take.
Personally, what is your favourite track on the ‘Fate So Wrong’, and why?
I’d say Colour Me Confused In Pink High Heels is my personal crush. Its a song about falling in love with and in Melbourne. It features a sound bite taken from a tram ride in Naarm. I love how that's a little familiar snack for the Australian listeners. This song I feel is my favorite melodically and lyrically. Really dipping into my bag of inspired vocals from dons such as Doja Cat and Lexa Gates.
The record is out through Berlin label Childhood Intelligence, how did that come about?
I believe the story goes that Alexander from Childhood Intelligence came across a German blog (Lefuturewave) that had a write up about my single release back in 2021. I think from there he sent me a message on instagram and I sent him a big-ol drop box of demos. Some of the songs in there I had never thought to revisit or even release but their vision and commitment to innovative and introspective music aligned and their curation was what made ‘Fate So Wrong’ the record it is today. Working with them has been an incredible experience, and their support has been instrumental in bringing this album to life.
And finally, you’ll be touring the album throughout Berlin and the UK, what songs are you most looking forward to performing live?
"Fame Makes you crazy" live goes off. Its so bouncy and really sets the energy high. I always have fun with my facial expressions and story telling with this one. I also have never performed Colour me confused live. I think I'm going to strip it back to just the keys for the live rendition and make it very jazzy and sexy with my saxophonist Tom Beech to really get the people feeling something.
Your Girl Pho’s ‘Fate So Wrong’ is out now via Childhood Intellegence
26 September
The Epsy, St Kilda, Melbourne
Tickets available via linktr.ee/yourgirlpho