Troye Sivan

The 23 year-old Australian singer Troye Sivan no longer needs an introduction. After unveiling his debut album 'Blue Neighbourhood' in 2015 which propulsed him as one of the most interesting new pop artists in our generation, the 'Good Side' singer is ready to show the world that he evolved and is more confident, bold, sincere and true to himself than ever. His sophomore record 'Bloom' is set to be released on August 31th and On The Move sat with Troye to discuss new musical direction, selfconfidence and upcoming projects. Take a seat and appreciate the evolution of Troye Sivan.

On The Move: Hi Troye, we are happy to have you with us again, more than two years after our first interview together. Your new album 'Bloom' is coming out soon. What do you think will be the main difference between this one and 'Blue Neighbourhood'?

Troye Sivan: Time flies! Thank you for having me again and still supporting me during all those years. I think the main difference is that you hopefully will be able to hear how much I’ve grown as a person. I am much more comfortable and confident. I feel like I am a better songwriter than I was before. I figured out my sound a little more and everything is a bit more thought of and I think people will be able to hear that.

On The Move: It’s always a big deal to have a second record coming up especially after a successful debut album, because of the expectations that the fans and critics might have. Did you feel that pressure while recording?

Troye Sivan: I did a little bit but I was so ready, I feel like, to try to outdo myself. I was really excited to try and get back to the studio and I felt like I could make something better than last time. I feel like I did that because I am really proud of the album. It’s exciting. I would have been scared if I was in the studio and be like: "Ok what am I gonna do now?". It would have been scary but I came so excited, with all of these ideas and I was ready to create.

On The Move: A feeling of freedom and no inhibition pours out of your first single 'My My My !'. Why did this song in particular feel right to release first?

Troye Sivan: I feel like it was a good introduction to where things are going and to who I am as a person now, you know. It felt like all of the things that I feel, like being carefree, liberated and a little more grown up, gay and sexy…It felt like an accurate representation of who I am and I wanted to share that.

On The Move: Will this feeling that you have dominate the album?

Troye Sivan: I think so. I think you’ll be able to hear me having fun and relaxed. Hopefully you can hear me messing around and having a laugh at the studio and everything’s just good. (laughs)

On The Move: Is there any tracks in this new album that you feel particularly connected to?

Troye Sivan: There’s this one named 'Postcard' that I am really excited about because I feel like it’s sort of about the beginning of a relationship where you realize for the first time that your partner is not perfect. And he realizes that you’re not perfect either and it’s about recognizing those things and being like: 'Ok, I see those things but as long as you’re here for me the way I really need you at the end of the day, then that stuff doesn’t really matter and we can get through it'. So it’s kind of getting over that and some relationships survive that and some don’t. The song is really about surviving this.

On The Move: Your single 'The Good Side' has such a singular melody, really different from what you’ve done already and from what we’re used to listen to in pop music. How did you come up with it?

Troye Sivan: It was a bunch of things. First of all we needed a story that we wanted to tell, that was the most important thing. The lyrics were really important too and that’s what came first, with that guitar strumming. Because there were so many stories to tell, that sort of influenced the structure of the song and there was no chorus, there were like three verses. Then the instrumental part sort of just fell together. I wrote the song with the producer Bram Inscore and we took it to Ariel Rechtshaid who kind of added that little sparkle that you can hear on top. It’s just a beautiful collaboration of not thinking too much and let it happen.

On The Move: «The Good Side» also carries an oriental or Asian pitch somehow. Do you feel like the fact that you’re travelling so much inspires you particularly?

Troye Sivan: Maybe, yes. I think what influences me the most is the people that I meet and hearing the recommendations of what they suggest that I listen to. I think that comes from traveling a lot, because I meet a lot of new people who always tell me about new music and so that helps a lot.

On The Move: You said that all your dream producers (Leland, Max Martin, Ariel Rechtshaid...) have been into the 'Bloom' project and have at least written something with you. Which lesson do you draw from the time spent with them ?

Troye Sivan: The thing that I learned was that no one has this magic formula that just works and everyone is on the same boat of just trying their best and trying new things. Some things work, some things don’t. The only difference between them and someone else is, of course there’s a natural talent, but on top of that the most important is the work ethic and love for music. Those two things push them to take things further than anyone else. I think that was a nice thing to realize.

On The Move: A couple months ago, you released 'Strawberries and Cigarettes' on the Love, Simon soundtrack. How did it happen?

Troye Sivan: I actually wrote the song for my first album but it never made the album, so we just kind of have it sitting there and Jack Antonoff texted me one day and was like: « Hey, I’m doing the music for this movie, can we try to see if « Strawberries & Cigarettes » would work? » I heard about the movie already and I was really excited about it so I was like: « wow ok sure ». So we recorded the vocals again because my voice kind of changed since I recorded the song, we made a couple of changes and I am so happy with how it turned out. The movie is beautiful, I’m so honored to be a part of it and my song is on a really special part of the movie so it was really exciting!

On The Move: Speaking of tracks that was left aside and then picked up again... Was the selection of the tracklist hard to pursue?

Troye Sivan: Yeah, picking songs was tough! I was still writing and going through this selection a few weeks ago. I really wrote a lot of songs for 'Bloom'.

On The Move: Your debut album was also a visual story brought to our eyes through the 'Blue Neighbourhood Trilogy'. It seems like your latest videos for 'Bloom' or 'My My My!' don’t follow the same narrative lead. What can we expect from your new album, visually ?

Troye Sivan: I think I sort of stepped back from narrative videos just because I did it already on the first album. I wanted to communicate a vibe and a feeling visually rather than a story necessarily. I think you leave the story to the music or you leave it to the people who apply their own story. I also wanted to create and communicate an attitude. I’m very, very involved in the music videos (laughs) I come up with ideas about colors, styling, locations, casting... Pretty much everything! It is the same for my tours. We’re not there yet but I’m definitely thinking about that already. I think I wrote this album to perform live so, it is also gonna be a really fun show!

On The Move: Your album will be opening on a song named 'Seventeen'. What would you say to your 17 year-old self if you had a chance to?

Troye Sivan: I would say… 'Get excited because things get really good' (laughs) but I’d also say 'relax and try to stress less, there’s no rush. Just enjoy!'

On The Move: You started on Youtube when you were a teenager. Now you’re 23, you grew up under the eye of your public but also with him. Some people call you the voice of a generation. Do you feel like it?

Troye Sivan: Not really, even though I deeply appreciate that and I am really flattered by that kind of comment. But at the same time I think I’m one voice of many that need to be heard and I’m excited to be a part of what I see as a really positive shift in music, but I definitely just see myself as a part of it.

On The Move: Among these 'other voices' you’re referring to, what are the ones you look up to?

Troye Sivan: I am very excited about Kevin Abstract from Brockhampton. I think he has a really great voice to have out there and also Hayley Kiyoko, Sam Smith, Olly Alexander, Halsey… there are so many and I’m excited to be there along them!

On The Move: Do you have any dreams that hasn’t been achieved yet ?

Troye Sivan: I would love to be nominated for a Grammy. I would love to have one radio hit as well, that would be very nice! (laughs)

Interview by Pam Charbit and Coraline Blaise | Photos by David Fitt exclusively for On The Move