Music Forever Magazine’s Esteban Allard-Valdivieso was able to chat with Ariana about life, love and her dog Alfredo.

E: Hi Ariana, so nice to meet you!  Congrats on the new album Lonely Hearts Club.  What a record! I’m assuming this is a Beatles reference, did you grow up listening to that album? Their other records?

A: It was! The album is obviously so different and I’m in no way was comparing myself. It just felt like the right name for the record and I decided to name it that anyway. I figured it was a nod to a band that has inspired my love of music. 

How has the tour been?  I know San Francisco is only your second stop, but how has it been headlining a show?

It’s been so much fun! The crowd in Chicago was so amazing and the energy in the room of having people singing my songs and coming into the room knowing the music is so special. I’m honored that people choose to spend their evening with me and the words I’ve written. 

You’ve mentioned how this album is about trying to restore some optimism that might have been lost during the pandemic.  Are you naturally optimistic?  Where do you think it comes from?

I think I am naturally optimistic! The pandemic changed all of our lives and I wrote this album during that time. I didn’t know when, but I hoped we’d all have a time to dance together again and I knew I wanted to be the soundtrack to that. I’m not sure why I’m naturally optimistic, I’m a New Yorker, so you wouldn’t think I’d be that way! I just choose to believe in the good in the world and humanity, which I think we need more than ever right now.

There have been some major successes along the way, including touring with Lizzo and Cyndi Lauper or performing on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.  Do you have any dream tours?  Are there any bucket list performances or collaborations you have?

Thank you! I have SO many dreams. Headlining my own tour was definitely one of them. I want to play bigger rooms, build a bigger community and reach more people. Performing at venues like Red Rocks or on SNL are definitely on my bucket list. Doing a Tiny Desk concert and collaborating with Rick Rubin are also dreams of mine. 

Taking a step back…growing up on Long Island, NY and going to a performing arts high school, well a few things:  were there supportive people/parents in your life?  What was your impression of Manhattan growing up?  Were there any other places you thought about moving to?

My parents are very supportive. They have been my biggest champions and sounding boards. I am so lucky to have that kind of support. I had been going to Manhattan my whole life, so I don’t really remember having an impression of it. It just was a city. The first time I went to [Los Angeles], I remember thinking, this isn’t a city, this is the suburbs! Because I just assumed all cities had high skyscrapers.

I lived in London for a few years and loved it. I toured all over the U.K. and got to write and work in Europe, it was a really wonderful time in my life and career. Ultimately, New York is my home and I wanted to be close to my family. 

How did the shows at the House of Yes come about?  Were gay clubs your first foray into performance?  What was the draw?  Did you always feel welcomed?

Gay clubs and Pride festivals were the very first places I ever performed. The queer community has created a home for my artistry and my music, which I am so grateful for. Gay clubs were the first places I went out dancing in general, I make music for those spaces—for people to feel free and uninhibited and hopefully safe to feel and be themselves. The shows at House of Yes were some of my favorite! I had an idea for an immersive concert, a mix between theater and music and a party. House of Yes is one of my favorite venues in New York and has been the gold standard for creating spaces for people to lose themselves and feel safe, so it felt like the perfect fit for the show. I’ve been wanting to bring that party back, maybe I will in 2024! 

There seems to be a strong sense of advocacy for empowering women and for LGBT+ rights.  Where in the family does that strength and drive for empowerment come from?  Or does it come from somewhere else?

That comes from my chosen family. Growing up in New York and a part of the theater world, my closest friends have always been a part of the LGBTQ community. I have been fiercely supported by the queer community and I will always fiercely support them and use whatever platform I have to lift queer and trans voices.

In terms of empowering women, that has come from my own perspective and experiences. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by and raised by such strong women. I try to share my own opinions and experiences, so that whoever hears or listens to them can feel a little less alone, or lifted up, or seen, whatever they are needing in that moment. 

Also, what is “The Rose”?

‘Rose’ is my middle name! I love monikers like Marina and the Diamonds and Florence and the Machine. I just love stepping into something that feels larger myself and having a moniker helps me do that. 

I’m always curious about process.  For this album, was there anything particular about your songwriting that maybe wouldn’t have happened without lockdowns?  Were the Piano Chats part of that?

Oh for sure. I wrote this whole album basically at a piano. And then I started collaborating with my friend and musical director, Andy Highmore. I don’t think we would have written together had we not been in Covid. I was set to tour and play shows and release different music and obviously the whole plan was scrapped with Covid. 

The piano chats came out of my manager telling me that I had to get on TikTok! And I just made a bunch of different stuff and one of those things was playing around with vamping and chatting. I pulled it from the section of a live show when you talk between songs. I had no idea it would resonate so much, it’s been so cool. It’s opened me up to a whole new audience and influenced my performances. It’s been so fun finding new ways to integrate everything into the live show. 

I hate the question of “what’s your favorite album or movie?” but I wonder, considering the amazing production value and spectacle of your music videos and performances, specifically in your teens or tweens, was there ever an album and/or movie that really made an impact on you, musically or visually?  Anything that comes to mind that made you be like, “Wow, I could do this!” or “I can’t believe a person really made this”?

Albums-wise, Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill was a big one. I also love Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson—they were the reason I started writing music. I loved their quirky wordplay and lyricism.

Visually, I’ve always been inspired by surrealism and magical realism. Artists like James Turrell and novelists like Haruki Murakami. I love imagination and when people create things that make reality feel like a dream.

…Speaking of which, what was your first concert?

Celine Dion!! I love her. She’s my forever icon. 

Your videos are always astounding. I was just watching “Cosmic Lover” and “F*ck Boy”.  I don’t know if I have a question, but more just a compliment.  Where were those filmed?  Do you write songs with an idea of how you want to communicate them visually?

Thank you so much!! I love creating music videos and worlds. I love bringing the songs to life. I have an amazing creative team that I work with. Both of those videos were directed by my creative director and best friend Scarlet Moreno. It’s so fun getting to create things you love with people you love. 

What’s next?  More legs of a tour?  Writing?  Recording?

I’m working on my next album! I’m at the beginning stages, but it’s starting to come together, which is very exciting. And I’ll definitely be doing more tour dates next year. 

Finally, what’s a question you wish people would ask you?

“Do you have any pets?” So I have a reason to talk about my dog Alfredo, who is the absolute love of my life. 

Thank you Ariana!