The Empress, OUT NOW - February's Tarot

After nearly two years of writing, recording and re-recording, our new song titled Empress is finally out on all streaming services!

Empress is a pop-rock beat that is sure to get you moving. Inspired by the Tarot figure by the same name, the song offers a new take on the themes associated with The Empress - themes of power and creativity, abundance and sexuality.

Empress, you're naked

And everyone sees

How long do you think you'll

Keep stealing kisses from me?

The journey of creating Empress has been filled with countless hours of writing, composing, and refining. There were times when I worried that I would never be able to make the recording sound the way that I could picture it in my head. As an independent creative working with the tools that we had at home, I (Jules) thought I might not be able to achieve the sound that I knew the song deserved.

However, I am so proud of the outcome and the song that we created. Sophie's bassline was an absolute masterpiece - and one that we very nearly didn't get, as it came to her much later in the drafting process. I'm so lucky to have such generous people around me who are willing to lend me their talents, their creativity and - most especially - their time.

The end result? A catchy, powerful anthem that (I hope) embodies the spirit of its tarot namesake.

I dug my way six feet up through the ground

'Cause you've been run run, run running

You've been running your mouth

The Inspiration: Tarot and Folklore

Tarot cards provide a unique way to tap into self-reflection, intuition, and spirituality. The Empress card represents all things associated with femininity, such as fertility, sensuality, and creative energy. These themes underpin the journey of Empress as an edgy exploration of empowerment.

However, another heavy source of inspiration was the Danish folktale, "The Emperor has no clothes." The tale follows a vain Emperor whose desperation to be revered allows him to be swindled by two conmen. Posing as weavers, the conmen offer the Emperor clothes that they say are only visible to clever and competent people. Not wanting to admit that he can't see the clothes, the Emperor, believing them, parades down the streets naked. The townspeople also go along with the pretence, for the same reason, until a child says what everyone is thinking - "The Emperor has no clothes!" - and eventually everyone comes to realise that the Emperor has been tricked.

Empress, you're naked

And everyone knows

You're the only one you're fooling with those

Fancy clothes

A collection of intricate line art tarot cards. Source.

Crafting the Sound

Empress offers a punchy sound best described as vivacious pop rock. Settling in a similar niche to Olivia Rodrigo's Brutal and Måneskin's Beggin', Empress combines classic rock elements with modern pop influences.

Instantly set apart with its unique, slap bassline in the chorus - devised by my sister, Sophie - Empress has an energy, anger and storytelling that I think will resonate with people.

Louder now, b*tch,

Show me puppy can speak

'cause you've been woof woof, woof woofing

About me all week

The Journey

Developing "Empress" has been a labour of love. From the first spark of an idea to the final mixdown, this journey required immense dedication. It was not without challenges; recording sessions sometimes felt like a roller coaster. Ideas would flow, and then suddenly, we would find ourselves going back to the drawing board.

Joyful moments included spontaneous jam sessions. These led to creative breakthroughs that shaped the final product, such as the iconic slap bassline. Feedback from the full band, trusted friends and fellow musicians helped refine the sound. Every contribution added valuable layers to the end product, and you can hear the work that went into this song at every decibel.

Why You Should Listen

Empress is more than just a catchy pop song. It serves as an anthem for empowerment, and a cathartic outlet for anger.

It speaks to anyone facing challenges with people who act like they are superior to the rest of the world. With a driving beat and scathing lyrics, Empress offers a warning to anyone with a superiority complex that their superficial ways are transparent, and the people around them will always see through it.

Whether you enjoy pop rock tunes or are fascinated by tarot, Empress offers something for everyone.

You made this bed, so lie in it

Keep digging my grave and you'll die in it

Funny how you go so silent

When the fights that you pick get violent

What’s Next?

I am so excited to hear your thoughts on this release. Originally, Empress was intended to be one of many songs on an album - but as a small artist without much of a following, every major player on the scene recommends to focus on singles instead. And thus: Empress was chosen to open up the season of music that is to come - with our next song set to drop on March 28 ... shhh!

If you've been here from the beginning, you'll remember the launch of my debut album, Midas, 3 years ago. Over the last three years, I have been refining my sound and finding my feet as a creative in the music industry. I am so excited to share with you all of the behind the scenes content that went into the creation of this song, and - most of all - I cannot wait to start performing this live!

If you're new to this page, I want to thank you for reading this all the way to the end. I appreciate the generosity of your attention, and I hope that I deliver something you can truly love as much as I do.

In summary, If you're a lover of tarot, a music enthusiast, or simply someone in search of fresh sounds, I hope that Empress will prove to be an instant playlist add.

LISTEN NOW