Maude Latour Soundtracks The Summer

Interview by Mary Perez

Graphic by Rebekah Witt

From the first time I heard “Furniture,” I knew Maude Latour was bound to be a star. The New York-based alt-pop sensation hails from New York and has earned her spot as an artist that has to be on your radar, finding her songs placed on major Spotify playlists, including Lorem and New Music Friday. Her 2020 single “One More Weekend” exploded online, scoring over 37 million streams on Spotify. The Columbia University graduate has recently released her latest EP, Twin Flame, an ode to a budding romance, accompanied by singles “Heaven” and “Lunch.” I had the pleasure of sitting down with Maude after her performance at New York’s Governors Ball to learn more about her newest EP, journey between releases, and dream radio show.

To start off, let’s talk about your performance earlier today! What was it like getting to play GovBall?

It was so surreal. I was so happy; I think it’s one of the shows I’m most proud of. I felt so able to take it all in, and it was awesome.

How did it feel to play on a festival stage and see all of your fans singing along?

 They knew every word and what to do! It was perfect.

You’ve been playing a ton of festivals recently, so what has it been like getting to play these larger stages and a lot of different artists?

It’s so cool. This is my favorite part of the whole thing—it’s such a celebration, and all of my friends are here. When everything aligns, the sun comes out, we’re in nature, the crowds are big, it’s just the most perfect moment. I feel so happy to be here.

You just released your new EP, Twin Flame, so are there any messages you want fans to take away from the EP as a whole?

It is a body of work that is designed to be a safe place to feel your most extreme feelings, to be at your lowest lows when you need to feel yourself again. It’s also to be super emotional and super happy. It’s this little euphoric world, and I think that it’s just an explosion of summer-ness. It’s supposed to make you feel good, so it’s a little package that I hope people use for just that.

Are these songs a taste of a potential album coming on the way?

I think the next project is probably going to be different, but I think it’s getting the things I need to say before putting out my next project.

I know that most of your work has come in EPs, so have there been any differences in the creation process between releases?

I’ve never put out four songs at once; I’ve always put out singles that I’ve built into EPs, so this is really cool to put out a lot of music at once. I’m kinda testing my fanbase to see how they do with multiple songs at one time, and they’re doing a great job. I kinda wrote this project in real-time without knowing what it was building towards, but I looked back and realized it was telling a story of a love that I was experiencing. I’m so controlling about my process that I frequently decide what the intention of the song is before the song comes out, and this really was the music showing the direction. It was telling the story I didn’t know I needed to tell, and now I’m so glad that I saved this bubble of this chapter of my life. I savored all of those feelings that were in it, and I’ve now preserved these past few months of my life. It was a special relationship for me and making music, and I’m so grateful for it.

Do you recall any artists or albums that really influenced this EP’s creation?

I think this is a really Lana-inspired, euphoric world. Let’s see who else… I think it’s a bit of a Lana moment, PinkPantheress is also that extra sparkle and joy moment.

Can you describe each song off Twin Flame in a few words?

Twin Flame: It is the rollercoaster of love but with a summer twist.

I am not the sun: That is my ego death, surrender to the music.

Minerals & Diamonds: That is an explosion of all of the details of falling in love without looking back.

No Rush: Realizing that you can take your time and what’s supposed to happen will happen.

Lovebomb: The feeling of falling in love and being suspended mid-air before you know what will happen.

Heaven: When someone becomes your partner, and it’s just you and someone else taking on the world together.

Lunch: That crush feeling when you first meet someone and all you can do is text them.

Do you have any long-term goals for your career?

My goals have changed a lot, but one goal is for my music to grow with me. I started making music when I was 15 years old, so I want to be writing songs that my 23-year-old self needs to say and have it challenge me in ways that it challenged me when I first started. I want every project to be more truthful than the last and more reflective of the complexity of getting older like things keep getting more complicated. One goal is to put out my first album. I haven’t done it yet, but I’m working on it, and it’s going to happen when the moment’s right.

If you had your own radio show, what would it be named and what would you play?

“Late Night With Maude.” What would I play? I listen to The Strokes way too much, so probably them! I love all of the girlies: I love Ice Spice, and girl in red is playing later tonight and is so good I didn’t even realize until I was at her show last summer, she hits different live. Remi Wolf, oh my god. “Prescription,” that song is just fucking amazing. 

What’s your go-to coffee order?

I just discovered an iced vanilla latte, and it’s so good.

Regular milk?

Honestly, regular milk. I know, hot take.

Who’s a celebrity that you’d fangirl over?

I just saw PinkPantheress in the bathroom while I was doing my eyeliner, and it was fucking up so much I said to her, “It’s not working!” She was like, “It looks great, don’t worry.” 

Any messages you’d like to send your fans?

Love you guys! Thank you for showing up, and knowing the words, it was so special. Thank you!

As Maude Latour took the stage, fans immediately sang along to every song of her set, whether it be the latest release or even a throwback hit. Her performance was electric, as she dazzled with fun dance moves and plenty of fan engagement. Twin Flame is a spectacular collection of songs showcasing shimmering melodies alongside heartfelt lyricism. Be sure to catch her on tour this fall!