Alice Phoebe Lou’s journey began on the streets of Berlin in 2012, where she discovered the liberating nature of busking. Unlike many artists who view street performance as a stepping stone to traditional success, Lou embraced it as a fundamental part of her artistic development. This foundation has shaped her approach to music-making, allowing her to maintain creative control while building a following on her own terms.
The release of her latest single ‘Better,’ recorded at Cedar Creek Studio in Austin, Texas, is an independently released track that explores the early, untouchable bliss of new love and its inevitable collision with reality. The song’s buoyant melodies and nostalgic keys complement Lou’s honeyed vocals as she depicts these fleeting connections.
“I wrote this song on my childhood piano at my mother’s house in one sitting,” the South African-born artist reveals, highlighting the organic nature of her creative process. The song explores the universal experience of idealizing new relationships, a theme that resonates deeply with her growing audience.
Lou’s musical evolution can be traced through her discography, from her 2016 debut ‘Orbit’ to the more introspective works of ‘Glow’ and ‘Child’s Play’ in 2021. Each release has shown increasing confidence in her artistic voice, with critics noting her ability to blend vintage influences with contemporary sensibilities.
Lou’s work addresses personal struggles, relationships, and self-discovery with remarkable candor. This authenticity has created a deep connection with her audience, who find solace and understanding in her lyrics. As she notes, “I continually strive to show people the beauty of being vulnerable and feeling all their feelings.”
Working with David Parry on guitar, Dekel Adin on bass and percussion, and Ziv Yamin on drums and piano, Lou creates a sound that is both intimate and expansive; a nostalgic atmosphere that perfectly complements the song’s themes of idealized love and reality’s inevitable intrusion.
As an independent artist, her upcoming performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2025, where she’ll be opening for Remi Wolf, represents a significant milestone in her career trajectory.
From the streets of Berlin to prestigious venues like Red Rocks, Lou’s journey illustrates the power of staying true to one’s artistic vision while building meaningful connections with audiences worldwide.