Freya Beer: Gothic Pop’s Rising Star on Navigating 'False Hope'

London’s Gothic-pop sensation Freya Beer is back with a blistering new single, “False Hope,” a sonic rollercoaster that swings from sugary Beabadoobee-esque pop to the grungy edge of Garbage-style rock in a heartbeat. The track, produced by Tom Donovan, captures the deceptive promises of unreliable people and the resilience needed to move forward. Hot off the heels of her critically acclaimed EP *Tatianna* and a summer packed with festival appearances, Freya is set to dominate 2024 with a 22-date UK tour and her signature blend of raw talent, poetic lyrics, and dark, enchanting energy.

1. Freya, your latest single False Hope has been described as a thrilling mix of bubblegum pop and grunge. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the song and its Jekyll and Hyde-like sound?

‘False Hope’ was written after a close relationship was abruptly ended due to lack of communication. I say that this song is about not having the best luck with friends and being dropped without an explanation. Sonically, I was very inspired by the 90s sounds of grunge, particularly the band Hole and their album, ‘Celebrity Skin’. I grew up listening to a lot of their music and adore the honesty within the songs. Other than taking the influence of the 90s and adapting it into my music, I’m figuring out a way to keep this original rawness I have in my sound and blending a bit of pop sensibility into it.

2. You've built a reputation for blending gothic and disco elements in your music. How did these influences shape the sound of your upcoming EP Tatianna and how does it differ from your previous work?

My EP ‘Tatianna’ in comparison to my debut album ‘Beast’ is a lot more maturer I believe. The sound of this EP feels solid, and that I’ve secured my place in the world of Goth but I never want to pigeon hole myself to one brand or genre. I wouldn’t say that my music is your typical Disco record but I was really inspired by an artist called Zella Day whose recent catalogue is a mix of Disco and Pop. It’s interesting to look at how artists and bands are using the element of Disco in their work without being too obvious. My album ‘Beast’ was a lot darker than ‘Tatianna’ but like I mentioned before that was a different time and I feel way more confident in my art now.

3. You’ve had the unique opportunity to open for John Cooper Clarke with both your music and poetry. How does your background as a poet influence your songwriting and performances?

I started writing when I was very young, I don’t know if I would class that as poetry or songs but I wrote because I loved taking my imagination on a journey to a world which I created. I soon discovered poetry and adored the use of words I would come across. I would note down any words or subjects which a poem would be about and used it as inspiration for my songwriting. 

4. With your extensive UK tour coming up, how do you prepare for such an intense schedule, and what can fans expect from your live shows this time around?

In general, I’m a very organised person and I love a good schedule so therefore it’s not too stressful when I have a huge tour coming up. A big part of this organisation is by my incredible managment team, who have been planning it all. When it comes to the live shows, I’ve been really picky this time round about how I want the stage to look. I’ve been doing a lot of research and figuring out how to bring out my aesthetic within the live performances.

5. Running your own label, Sisterhood Records, has given you creative control over your releases. How has this independence impacted your career, and what advice would you give to other artists looking to go the independent route?

The independence of releasing under your own terms is empowering and inspiring because no one is telling you to go down a certain route or portray yourself in a way you’re not comfortable with. If you know what you want to put out into the ether of the music world then definitely feel confident in releasing under your own label. I’ve found it inspires others and realistically it’s not that hard if you’re prepared and well organised.