Earlier this summer, boundary-pushing pop artist UPSAHL released a blazing new song, “Summer so hot.” Heavy on the bass, topped with breathy vocals, she set out to take claim its spot as the summer 2024 anthem.
In equally hot pursuit, UPSAHL has released a new track today, “Tears on the dance floor,” with an accompanying music video. It comes just in time for us to keep the season going a little longer, and ahead of her upcoming 40-plus date international Melt me down headline tour kicking off next month.
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This sweltering chapter has shown a new side of the artist, and a new sound. Nodding to nostalgia and the early aughts days of sultry, upbeat pop, UPSAHL channels an era where hip-hop and R&B fell into step with sugary radio pop — a fusion pumping with a specific groove, peppered with “whomp” sounds, and destined to become club anthems. It was a sound that guided us into the 2010s, and the iteration of radio-ready popular music that would define the decade.
In describing the new track, UPSAHL says,“‘Tears on the dancefloor’ is about feeling mysterious while vulnerable and emotional at the same time. It was inspired by those nights out that sometimes end in tears. To be honest, that shit feels like free therapy. When we made this song, we had been listening to a lot of Nelly Furtado, so the production was heavily inspired by Timbaland and the overall vibe of the early 2000s. These are my favorite types of songs, the ones that are secretly kind of sad, but can still be played at the after-party.”
In the wake of her latest releases, “Summer so hot” and today’s single — and anticipation of the upcoming tour — AP sat down with UPSAHL to unpack just why this summer has been so damn hot.
Favorite, and least favorite, part of touring?
Honestly, I feel like I would tour 365 days a year if I could. I love the energy and focus that tour gives me. Playing live is everything to me. That being said, my least favorite part of tour is that I am a homebody at heart. I love cooking, and I love being in my own space, so I definitely miss that sense of stability when I’m out on the road.
What was the process for this song? Can you talk about how it came about, what the recording and writing process was like, and the references in lyrics and music video? What was the proverbial mood board?
I wrote “Summer so hot” in the middle of a very rainy and cold night in London. I feel like I was just craving that nostalgic summer feeling. I took the demo back to LA and rewrote the verses a million times, and we reworked the production until it felt perfect. The mood board was lots of skin, sweat, lip gloss, bikinis, old-school cameras. I just really wanted everything about the song and the music video to feel like a nod to the early 2000s summers.
What stop on the tour are you most excited for, and also can you describe your dream venue?
I’m really looking forward to playing a hometown show in Phoenix. It always feels so nice to be back home and to have all my fam and friends come out to the show. Feels very full circle every time. My dream venue is such a basic answer, but I would love to headline MSG one day.
How do you think your performance, and music, have shifted from when you started to now — visually, spiritually, sonically, viscerally, emotionally, or in how you carry yourself on and offstage? How does this show up in this summer’s single, and in how you’re going into the upcoming tour?
I think my music and everything surrounding it is always changing, and I hope that continues. I’m learning more and more about myself every day, and I want everything I do creatively to reflect that. I think over the past couple of years, I’ve grown a lot with my music. I used to love writing about being a messy 20-something, tequila shots, and one-night stands, but that’s just not where I am in my life right now. This whole new era, including “Summer so hot,” feels very representative of where I’m at. A little thick-skinned, a little fire-y, and a little more secure in myself. I hope that my fans feel that same energy when they come to a show on the tour.
There’s so much confidence in your music, and it’s really felt in “Summer so hot.” Where does that come from — what’s the process for you?
Fake it till you make it. When I started music, I felt like I lacked the confidence that I saw so many incredible women artists have, artists that I really looked up to… I think through writing from such a confident perspective, even if I didn’t always feel that way, I learned how to be confident in myself, in and out of my music.
Is UPSAHL an alter ego or the truest version of you?
That’s me! Obviously when I go on stage, I feel like the most powerful version of myself comes out, but there never is really a moment where I feel like it’s a “performance.” When I’m in full “UPSAHL” mode and I’m performing or writing in the studio, I feel the most at peace with myself. It’s almost like I’m in some sort of flow state.
How would you say your crew and bandmates would describe your work ethic, in the studio and on tour?
I feel lucky to be able to surround myself with people who also want to fucking win and inspire each other. From being on tour to being in the studio, I feel like we’re all just constantly working at the things we love, which I feel very lucky to get to do. I would say on tour, though, I’m definitely the most disciplined and focused version of myself.
What’s on your rider?
Ginger shots, red wine (I don’t drink on tour, but it’s there for the crew and for a rainy day), snap pea chips, granola bars, fruit, veggies, and tea — boring, I know.
It’s an autumn tour, but the theme is still about bringing heat. What are the key elements to achieving this?
It’s called the Melt me down tour, so without giving too much away, it’s gonna be icy, and it’s gonna be on fire at the same time. But I would say that the key element to achieving this whole vibe is the energy of the fans. If they’re down to rage with me, we’re set, and everybody’s faces will get melted!
What’s your favorite way someone’s described your music in an article, comment, or press release?
Somebody recently said you can cry and shake your ass to it. I feel like that’s the pinnacle of what I want my music, particularly this era to feel like — it’s strong, it’s aggressive, it’s sexy, it’s playful, and it’s also vulnerable, emotional, and raw.
Who are the pop performers you look up to the most?
Gwen Stefani is the blueprint. I grew up listening to a lot of No Doubt and was so inspired by her confidence and her whole performance. These days, I look up to Chappell a lot — she’s such a world builder, which as a fan is really cool to feel a part of. I also love everything about Charli XCX and Brat. Again, world-building. It’s iconic as fuck, and I’m so lucky to get to exist at the same time as these artists.
Preshow ritual?
Steaming my vocal cords, little vocal warm up, stretches, some cardio right before I go on, and then a little self-pep talk side stage.
Do you have any ritual around songwriting or working on a track in the studio?
Every day looks different when I’m working in the studio. Some days it’s like a, “Let’s show up with nothing and just listen to music and see what happens.” Other days, I come in knowing exactly what I want to say. It just depends. The most ritualistic I get about it is that in the car on the way to the studio, I just voice-note a bunch of random shit, talking, melodies, lyrics, beat ideas, etc. I rarely go back to them, but it just gets that muscle working before I get there.
