By Eve Davies, Second Year English
Drenched in a shimmering, '80s inspired sound, their debut cemented their status as a band to watch. Now, with their latest release Smitten, they return to their roots, once again embracing that nostalgic, synth-heavy style. We caught up with drummer Ciara Doran to chat about the new album, queerness, and the band’s journey back to where it all began.
It’s been a whirlwind summer for Pale Waves. Between a string of festival appearances and supporting PVRIS on their US tour, the indie four-piece – Doran, vocalist and guitarist Heather Baron-Gracie, guitarist Hugo Silvani and bassist Charlie Wood – have barely had a moment to catch their breath. I joke with Doran, fresh off celebrating their 30th birthday the day before our interview, that I hope they’ve found a second to themselves amidst the chaos.
But for Doran, the fast pace seems to suit them just fine. With a major UK tour lined up this autumn and a series of intimate record shop gigs, life isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Yet, Doran takes it all in stride: ‘It’s how I want to live. I want to be on tour all the time. When I’m back, I’m like 'uhh… I don’t know what to do with myself.'
‘We did Y Not [festival] the other week. That was a really special show, because it was the first festival we ever played, so headlining the main stage felt sentimental,’ Doran says, a smile evident in their voice as they recount the moment. ‘It was a Northern crowd, so that’s always cool.'
Returning to their roots seems to be a recurring theme for Pale Waves this era. Their latest album, Smitten, marks a noticeable shift from their previous record, Unwanted, which embraced heavier guitar tones and grungier influences. On Smitten, Baron-Gracie delves deep into past relationships and her journey of self-discovery, particularly regarding her sexuality, in a way that echoes the band’s debut – the album that first earned them a legion of devoted fans.
'As you grow older, you kind of just go with your gut a bit more. So I guess that comes out in the music.’ That subtle transformation has defined Smitten—an album that stands as an unapologetic exploration of queerness and self-discovery. The lead single, ‘Perfume’, is a perfect embodiment of this shift. With the band performing against the romantic backdrop of an English stately garden, the visuals take on a dreamy, ethereal quality.
Baron-Gracie is seen tenderly caressing statues of women, and the whole scene feels like a love letter to the past. The music itself, drenched in lush vocals and shimmering synths, evokes a beautiful collision of influences—like the dreamlike melodies of The Cranberries meeting the melancholic edge of The Cure. Tracks like ‘Glasgow’ showcase Doran’s rhythmic prowess, with Silvani’s sharp guitar riffs calling to mind the dark allure of The Cult.
The repetition in ‘Thinking About You’ nods to The Cranberries once
again, echoing the hypnotic quality of ‘Linger’, while ‘Last Train Home’ slows things down, draped in the soft, otherworldly tones of '80s dream pop. The Cocteau Twins’ influence lingers here, before the album closes on a high with the upbeat, paradoxically energetic track ‘Slow’—a title that feels almost tongue-in-cheek.
For Doran, this sound isn’t just a creative decision, it’s personal. Reflecting on the band’s previous records, they admit, ‘The first album, for me, I’m still very proud of that one. It still feels very true to me, at least.’ There’s a nostalgia in their voice, a sense of returning to the essence of what Pale Waves was and still is. It’s as though the band has circled back to their beginnings, but this time with more self-assurance, more ease in their own skin.
It’s refreshing to hear an artist speak with such pride about their earlier work, especially in an industry where many prefer to distance themselves from their past. Radiohead, for instance, famously wrote ‘My Iron Lung’ as a response to ‘Creep’ becoming a kind of oppressive lifeline for the band. Doran finds this attitude puzzling. 'When people do that [dismiss their older work], it’s a bit offensive to the fans,’ they argue.
‘The first album and the first EP was when people fell in love with
Pale Waves and started to invest in us. That was Pale Waves to them. I’d never be embarrassed of old work, even if it seems a bit more naïve.’ Doran’s words feel like a quiet affirmation—not just of their music, but of their journey. Pale Waves
have grown, but they haven’t lost sight of what made them so captivating in the first place.
Their ascent was bolstered by a major supporting slot for The 1975, whose frontman Matty Healy played a pivotal role as both mentor and advocate, helping secure their place on the Dirty Hit label – a staple in the British alternative and indie scene. Visually, Pale Waves embraced a striking goth-rock aesthetic, with black lipstick and heavy eyeliner reminiscent of icons like The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees, cementing their image as much as their sound.
At this point, I can’t help but to confess to Doran just how much of a fan I am. They chuckle, clearly flattered. I confess my long-standing admiration for the band, revealing that I was one of those young fans in the crowd at a The 1975 gig, wide-eyed and awe-struck by Pale Waves’ unabashed queer expression.
‘That’s one of the reasons we’re open about it.’ Doran responds thoughtfully. ‘I’ve reached a point where I’m so comfortable with who I am. Heather [Baron-Gracie] too.
Living as queer people and showing younger generations – it’s important. When I was younger, I would’ve liked to have seen that. I did with a few people, but it’s a lot more common now.’ There’s a palpable sincerity in Doran’s words. It’s clear that this openness is about more than just visibility—it’s about creating a space where future generations can feel truly seen and accepted.
‘It’s about making people feel like being themselves is exactly what you should do. And it’s okay,’ they add. Their words carry the weight of someone who’s fought for their own self-acceptance. In this moment, the interview shifts into something more intimate – a shared reflection on the complexities of queerness and the paths we’ve walked to embrace it. Prior to the release of their second album, Doran revealed to their Instagram followers that they identify as transmasculine non-binary, sharing that they’d be using they/them pronouns.
In an interview with NME, Doran shared that they struggled with coming to terms with their gender. Now, three years on, it’s heartening to hear Doran speak with such ease and comfort in their identity—a journey that hasn’t been easy but has led to a place of peace.
2024 has been a landmark year for queer artists entering the mainstream. Renee Rapp has sold out major venues, Towa Bird has gone viral on TikTok, and Chappell Roan’s rise to fame has been meteoric. 'I love Chappell Roan, obviously', Doran says with enthusiasm.
'It’s funny ‘cause being gay is kind of cool now, isn’t it? It wasn’t when we were coming up', they add, with a touch of humour. It’s true—queer visibility is everywhere, with songs like 'Naked in Manhattan' and 'Pretty Girls' having viral moments this year, celebrating explicitly queer narratives.
Yet, Pale Waves have always been upfront about their queerness. Their song “She’s My Religion” remains a defining queer anthem. “She helped me find a different kind of love. Made me feel like I was finally enough,” Baron-Gracie sings. Pale Waves were ahead of the trend, but for Doran, this has never been about following the crowd.
'We’re just trying to be ourselves,' they explain earnestly. 'It’s not performative. We’re just being who we are, spreading the love, and trying to connect with like-minded people, like-minded fans.' In that moment, it becomes clear that Pale Waves’ authenticity is what truly sets them apart—a band grounded in sincerity, creating space for others to feel the same.
From their reflections on returning to the band's sonic origins to their pride in embracing and celebrating queerness, Doran’s words convey a journey of growth and self-acceptance. With Smitten, the band offers not only a soundtrack for introspection but also a testament to the power of owning your truth, no matter where that takes you.
Pale Waves are set to play the O2 Academy in Bristol on 9th October, and it’s clear the band’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. Their latest album, Smitten, is available to stream now—an album that reaffirms their place as pioneers in indie music and queer visibility. We can't wait to see what the future holds for a band that continues to create space for both their fans and themselves in such a bold and refreshing way.
Featured Image: Kelsi LuckWhat is your favourite song from Smitten?
