With raw honesty and electrifying energy, Lois is ushering in a new era with her latest single, ‘MINE’—a song of defiance, transformation, and self-liberation. Marking a shift in both sound and mindset, Lois embraces the uncertainty of identity, the chaos of change, and the thrill of self-discovery.

In this exclusive interview, she opens up about the inspiration behind ‘MINE,’ the power of artistic evolution, and what’s next for her highly anticipated sophomore EP.

Nicolle: ‘MINE’ marks the start of a new musical era for you. What inspired this shift, and how does it feel to embark on this new chapter as an independent artist?

Lois: ‘MINE’ was the product of frustration within myself and the world around me. I was so fed up with being consumed by self-hatred and doubt. I was bored of it. I’d never been more lost and detached from life than I was when I wrote this song, but a weird sort of love grew during this period of uncertainty. The chaos and excitement that seeps through the cracks of discomfort is something I became addicted to. I wanted my music to reflect these feelings and this period of change. It feels amazing to be an independent artist right now.

Nicolle: You mentioned that ‘MINE’ is about rejecting external expectations and reclaiming your identity. Can you elaborate on what that journey of self-empowerment has looked like for you?

Lois: My relationship with identity and what that means is always changing. It’s definitely a process. I’ve struggled with ‘presenting’ for a long time and have always found it difficult to nail down my own definition of being a woman. I think I've tried every stereotypical archetype under the sun to find my version of it but it just led me nowhere, haha.

There’s a huge amount of pressure within music to secure your identity, but I thought about how I am supposed to sell myself as this honest ‘brand’ when I have no idea who I am. I struggled with that question for so long. But what I came to realise is that this fluid, uncertain, everchanging, forever questioning person, is who I am. And I'm sure there are many people out there who feel the same as me and are trying to figure out that same question. So yeah, I mean…blazers, ties, broaches and Doc Martins make me feel pretty fucking good so I think I’ll stick with them for now.

Nicolle: The song touches on the “7-year rule” and the idea of renewal. How did this concept influence the lyrics and emotional core of the track?

Lois: The 7-year rule is the idea that the top layer of your skin completely regenerates after seven years. It brought me a lot of comfort when processing my experience of sexual trauma. The skin I have now has no longer been touched by that person. It feels liberating to have a physical, tangible detachment from my experience. It inspired me to write this song and create something that sounded exactly how this process of letting go felt.

Nicolle: Your music blends pop, soul, and alternative rock. How did you approach the production of ‘MINE’ to capture the energy and confidence of this new phase in your career?

Lois: This track was inspired by the energy on stage from my live set. I know I’m biased but my band is really, really good and just takes my music to new levels.

With ‘MINE’, I really wanted to reflect that energy on the production side. I was also listening to a lot of RAYE, Massive Attack, Little Simz and Self Esteem at the time. I’m super inspired by their huge arrangements and their ability to transport you to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury with a massive chorus. That’s what I wanted to do. Okay, this is our Pyramid track. One day, maybe.

Nicolle: You’ve shared the stage with artists like The Lottery Winners, SOFY, and Pixey, and performed at festivals like The Great Escape and Live At Leeds. How have these live experiences shaped your artistry and performance style?

Lois: Supporting artists is so important for any musician. It trains you on how to interact with different audiences, big or small. I love being on stage, it’s my favourite thing in the world. I just love to perform and share an experience with a bunch of strangers. It’s the best. My live set has evolved over time.

You’re always learning new tricks and getting inspired by other artists. It’s been amazing to support artists I’ve looked up to for a long time and learn from them too. Also, I love the drama. I love Madonna, Kate Bush, Grace Jones, and Chappell Roan, I love their boldness and maximist expression. I always try to incorporate pieces of them into my own live set if I can.

Nicolle: Your debut EP ‘Strange Men’ explored themes of grief, trauma, and identity. How does ‘MINE’ build upon or contrast with the themes you explored in that project?

Lois: ‘Strange Men’ revolves around relationships, heartache, grief and pain whereas MINE is centred around the process of acceptance and expression, chaos and euphoria. I would describe the Strange Men EP as more of a mixtape of experiences from the ages of 13 - 21 and is quite choppy in terms of themes.

This new music is much more cohesive musically and lyrically. It’s taking the themes from the first EP and saying this is where we are now, and this is how I feel now. It’s all just been a huge process of acceptance and reflection.

Nicolle: You’ve received praise from outlets like Wonderland, Clash, and BBC Introducing. How has the support from the press and radio impacted your confidence and career trajectory?

Lois: It’s always really special to hear and read people say such kind things about your music. It can also be validating when you’re not so sure how people are going to take it. I’m always super proud of what I release, but there can be moments where you doubt yourself once the music is out there, like ‘Are they gonna get it?’ and then when they do it’s this unique feeling of being understood on such a deep level.

Support from local radio especially, is always so amazing to hear. There’s just this added magic to live radio and hearing someone speak out loud about your music and hearing the expression in their voice. Local radio legends such as Emily Pilbeam and Christian Carlisle at BBC Introducing Leeds and Sheffield and Will Wolstenholme at BBC Introducing North West have always been so generous with their support for me and my music. I’m really proud to be a Northern artist. To be played on shows alongside other musicians from the local area makes you realise how much incredible music is being made in the North.

Nicolle: The lyrics of ‘MINE’ exude a sense of liberation and self-assurance. Was there a particular moment or realization that sparked the creation of this song?

Lois: I was inspired by the surge of female musicians speaking so openly and honestly about their experiences, about sexism and misogyny, mistreatment, sexual assault, and rape within their music, being defiant and brave and strong and standing up for what they believe in.

Artists like RAYE and Self Esteem especially. It inspired me to have the confidence to be brave and do the same.

Nicolle: Your upcoming sophomore EP is highly anticipated. Can you give us any hints about what we can expect from the project and how it expands on your sound and storytelling?

Lois: Accepting the past, embracing the present, and forming new beginnings. It’s my favourite thing I've ever made.

Nicolle: If listeners could take away one message or feeling from ‘MINE,’ what would you hope it to be?

Lois: If my listeners could take away anything, it would be that you are NOT defined by the bad things that happen to you. That you don’t deserve to suffer for the things that were never your fault. And that you never need permission to be exactly who you are. To be okay with being lost in the in-between. Re-define what it means to be alive. And to always, always, pay attention to the signs.

‘MINE’ is more than just a song—it’s a statement. A bold, fearless reclamation of self, wrapped in electrifying production and unshakable confidence. As Lois steps into this new chapter, she leaves us with a message of resilience: You are not defined by what happens to you. You never need permission to be exactly who you are. And if ‘MINE’ is any indication, her next era is set to be her most powerful yet.

Connect with LOIS on Instagram, TikTok and Spotify. Stream ‘MINE’ here.

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, and content creator. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.

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