Flo Gallop is a London-based pop singer-songwriter who started writing bangers since she was seventeen years old. She has been working with popular London studios and influential people on her singles. While growing up in southeast London Flo’s father motivated her to write songs from a very young age and be enthusiastic about music in general. Flo Gallop’s brand new single “Can’t Be Friends” is an honest but magical representation of toxic relationships she had herself. The future hit is available on most music streaming platforms.
Hiya, Flo! Absolutely in love with your new tune “Can’t Be Friends”. As far as I am aware this single is special and personal in terms of the situation you’ve had in the past?
Thank you SO much!! I want to be honest in my music, I want people to listen and feel comforted by the honesty. I find that music is one of those things you put on when you need an arm around the shoulders. Sometimes even trigger a feeling or remind you of a memory. This song is about an infatuation mistaken as love. Everyone’s been there so it seemed like the sort of story that needed a song, the idea being you listen to this when you’re feeling kinda guilty about seeing that particular person, or maybe you’re not even feeling that guilty but you just need to listen to somebody else and be able to relate and feel like you’re not alone.
Tell us more about the process, how long did it take you to write the song? Was it difficult to write a pop single about maybe hurtful experience?
To be honest, it only took about 20 mins to write the song – it was basically just there in my head. I worked with Will Thomson with the writing and he’s great so it just took no time at all before we were banging it around on the guitar and stuff. Well, that’s just getting the chords down, and the hooks and all that. But then from there, you do spend a while going back and editing little bits, changing words here and there but yes, getting the structure/idea of the song down is a relatively quick process. Although the circumstances behind the song were maybe a bit hurtful – well more awkward actually – it was pretty nice to get it out and quite satisfying when you word something exactly how you want to say it and it works. The ones that should bring a bitter taste to your mouth, don’t really – they tend to be the best because it’s like you’ve got what you needed to say off your chest and they mean something to you. Like a bit of therapy!
Do you have any plans about releasing an album full of hits and meaningful lyrics?
Yooooo!!! Would love to! We have loads and loads of songs but I want to release singles for a bit, I’m finding my way as an artist and the singles are a good way of seeing what people like. When I release an album I want to be super proud of every track on it so I want to take the time to work towards that and even save songs Those would be good singles to make sure the album is CRAAAAZY. It’s definitely something I am working towards and think about when I am writing! So In addition to Can’t be Friends, there is a third single coming out very soon – another one based on an experience that I think most people will recognize – I shall say no more. AND I’m back in the studio working on some more tracks – its all super exciting. So a big yes to the album – but that will be down the line – in the meantime please, please, please first go and stream my singles and have a boogie!
How did you feel about collaborating with Tom Fuller and Will Thomson in the past?
So Will is my best mate and we have written together for a long time now, he is someone who I feel confident writing in front of as it can be scary laying down your hot goss in front of someone new, especially when you’re trying to make as organic music as possible. Will gets me and we can write songs we are both really proud of, I am blessed to have a friend that I have such a nice working dynamic. Tom Fuller is wicked, I actually had heard his name, stalked his work, and became a little obsessed. I managed to track him down at a party and convince him to work with me haha. I heard that he had a really cool style and was just a cool guy to work with. Everything I had heard was true, he was great, really inspiring, and really great at what he does. It was just a really fun experience, I learned so much and I am so pleased he produced the songs. I have to say he smashed it and the songs are exactly how they should be fun and vibrant.
How have you been spending your days during a national lock-down? After lock-down rules have been eased in England a few days ago, what was the first thing you did?
It’s been a complete mix of stuff, I’ve tried to keep busy and maintain a bit of a routine just to keep myself feeling normal. There has been a lot of stuff to do on social media and promoting the tracks which have all been insane. Although obviously, it is sad I can’t promote the tracks ‘in person’ it has still been wicked! I have to be honest the first thing I did was go and have a pint with my flatmates, we live right next door to a pub so we could hear everyone having a lovely old time and we had to go and join in. It’s very reassuring to hear that hustle and bustle again and I am very excited to start getting back to normal. Gigs are starting up again and life is just looking up so I am very excited for what the summer holds.
How do you usually spend time in London? Any favorite spots you visit most of the time?
London has loads of cool places, lockdown made me appreciate how much there actually is to do even though things are closed. I write all my music in a secret little location in London. I like it because it’s right in the center of London and I feel inspired by the city when I am there. My main stomping grounds are The Strand, Kings Cross, Old Street & Aldgate, I like wandering around there, there’s always a lot going on, a lot of people and it feels like the place to be. In terms of favorite spots, I love a cute pub with a nice lively pub garden, and sometimes when I am on my own I love taking myself to small coffee shops and just spending a few hours there to catch up on things. If a cafe sells a choc-chip banana bread and some sort of interesting tea/ coffee I’m into it.
How would you describe your personality?
I am annoying, I would say I’m marmite. I’m the Phoebe of your friendship group (friends reference). I wouldn’t change it though, I spent too long worrying about not being the same as everyone else and now I’ve realized I don’t want to be the same as everyone else. It’s cool to be different but with that, you have to accept some people might not get it. I’ve grown to respect that and just enjoy life for what it is and keep the people who you love/love very close. The ones who aren’t interested don’t matter.
Who were your childhood idols, who do you look up to, and why?
I loved Billie Joe Armstrong, I used to watch Green Day’s Knebworth gig playing ‘Holiday’ over and over again – I must have been aged 9. I just loved the way he took over the stage, you couldn’t take your eyes off him. I remember also loving Debbie Harry and constantly requesting ‘Sunday Girl’ at family parties. I also did just love the normal pop music you listen to at that age, I always wonder how much of an influence that had on my music now. My all-time favorite band is Oasis and I don’t really know when I started listening to them. I love and still do love Liam Gallagher’s identity and stage presence because it’s different. I think my passion for watching artists and being interested in how they captivated an audience has always been there. My dad showed me a lot of artists – Freddie Mercury a lot. We watch the way they move and the iconic stamps they have when on stage. I also have to say my dad is an idol of mine, he’s the one who got me into music and taught me a lot so I am very grateful.
What are your three favorite songs at the moment?
NOOOO (Laughs) that’s so tough, Right now I’m loving Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody- Alfie Templeman All Your Exes- Julia Michaels & I was quite late to the party with this one but This City- Sam Fischer But there’s too many, I just took these off my recently played…. I’m gonna give you 3 of my all-time favorites too. Married with Children -Oasis, Vienna-Billy Joel Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales- Car Seat Headrest
If you could collaborate with any talented artist, who would it be and why?
Well, I love Bastille. I would love to write with Dan Smith I just think he’s so cool & it’d be mad to just have his influence. I think he’d have a lot of stories to tell as well so it would be a cool session. He always just has quite quirky ideas in the songs that he’s written and I am intrigued. So Dan if u see this, Dm me, I’m up for it (Laughs).
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully still making music, still improving and just having a good time. By then I hope I will have ticked off a fair amount of my goals and have set new ones. I take each day as it comes and thinks about tomorrow when I get there. I want to have gigged in lots of cool places and have met more inspiring people. So long as I’m still smiling I will be alright!
What message would you give to people who are just starting their careers?
Have Fun, don’t take life too seriously, be yourself, and enjoy what you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Sounds quite preachy but that’s honestly the key to a happy life! Thank you for having me!
