Ian: Your most recent album Smitten has been described as deeply intimate and emotionally resonant, blending alt‑pop with sapphic storytelling. How does Smitten reflect your personal and creative growth compared to previous records such as Unwanted or Who Am I?
Heather: Smitten feels more mature than Unwanted. Unwanted was angry rock, a reaction record. Who Am I was me trying to figure out who I was. With Smitten I feel like I’ve landed in a place where I can just be really vulnerable and romantic without trying to cover it up with aggression or noise. It’s more intimate and reflective, and I think that shows where I’m at in my life now.
Ian: The lead single from the album “Perfume” was released on in June last year and debuted as BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record. What inspired the song’s dreamy nostalgic sound, and how did its warm reception shape the launch of Smitten?
Heather: “Perfume” came from that hazy, nostalgic place where you’re obsessed with someone, and you can’t get them out of your system. I wanted it to sound dreamy, like it’s living in your head. When Radio 1 made it Hottest Record, it gave me confidence that people are connecting with this softer side of us. It set the tone for the whole Smitten era.
Ian: “Glasgow”, which you’ve called your favourite track from the album, narrates heartbreak with shimmering 80s‑inspired guitars. What made that emotional setting (being left at the altar in Glasgow) feel powerful enough to become a song?
Heather: “Glasgow” is definitely my favourite. I think a great story can make for a great song. When I go through these heartbreak moments, which feel beyond terrible at the time, and after healing a little I always figure ‘Hey, at least this can make for a good song right?’ My suffering makes for good art! I love 80s guitars because they make sadness feel beautiful, and that’s exactly what I wanted the track to do.
Ian: The single “Gravity” explores complex themes (“a woman who chose Jesus over me”) and took a long time to finalise. What’s the emotional journey behind finishing that track, and why was it so challenging?
Heather: “Gravity” nearly broke me a little finishing it. The subject matter of being rejected for religion is so personal and complicated. I’d start writing it, then stopbecause it was too much. It took a long time for me to figure out how to tell that story honestly without it sounding bitter but we got there in the end!
Ian: Smitten also includes “Thinking About You,” a dreamy reflection on lingering heartbreak. How do you approach balancing vulnerability and hope when writing about moving on?
Heather: That one sits in a bittersweet space. I always write from a place of honesty, and the truth is that moving on is messy; you’re still haunted but you’re trying to heal. I try to balance vulnerability and hope because that’s life.
Ian: Compared to Unwanted (with its pop‑punk energy) Smitten leans more into jangly alt‑pop and emotional realism. Was this directional shift intentional, and what were you aiming to express with this sonic palette?
Heather: It was intentional in the sense that I didn’t want to make Unwanted again. That pop-punk anger had served its purpose. With Smitten I wanted something more timeless, more romantic — jangly guitars, softer tones, closer to The Cure or 80s alt-pop. It let the emotion breathe more. Unwanted is amazing for live shows! Some of my favourite songs to play live are from Unwanted.
Ian: Working with producer Zakk Cervini on Unwanted and Iain Berryman on Smitten, what did each bring to your sound, and how did those collaborations influence your songwriting process?
Heather: Zakk is all about power and energy – he’s great at making things sound massive and in-your-face. Iain brought a more delicate touch. He helped me explore space, texture, and atmosphere. Both were right for the albums they worked on. Simon Oscroft is who I write with a lot and he also produced Smitten. He’s beyond talented and it’s always such a pleasure to make art with him. Smitten definitely wouldn’t exist without him. It’s also important to mention Hugo’s production on Smitten – he really put his all into it and did such a great job.
Ian: You’ve said the album is “queer, feminine and romantic”. How has embracing queer themes influenced the storytelling in Smitten, and what do you hope listeners take away from that portrayal?
Heather: Leaning into queerness just made the songs more authentic. Instead of trying to make lyrics vague, I wrote openly about women and love and heartbreak. I hope listeners, especially queer fans, feel seen and know it’s okay to embrace their truth in the same way.
Ian: The Still Smitten Tour kicks off in October and consists of 14 dates. Where are you looking forward to playing the most and how do you expect the experience to differ from venue to venue?
Heather: I’m excited for all of it — every venue has its own energy. Some nights you play a tiny sweaty club and it’s chaos, other nights it’s a theatre and people hang on every lyric. I like that contrast.
Ian: With three Irish shows coming up (Dublin on October 28, Belfast on October 29, and Cork on October 30) what does returning to Ireland mean for you as a band, and are there any surprises or local touches fans can expect?
Heather: Ireland has always been so supportive of us. Ireland is home to so many great artists, I love going there and I’m really happy we’re finally getting to return. We’ll definitely bring some surprises, maybe some covers of some amazing Irish artists.
Ian: The album title Smitten captures both deep infatuation and emotional distance. Can you walk us through your personal connection to that word and how it encapsulates the album’s theme?
Heather: Smitten was the perfect way to summarise this record. It’s delicate, timeless and feminine. As soon as it came to mind, I just knew it was the one. I got that instant feeling and I always go with my gut.
Ian: Touring such emotionally charged music, how do you prepare mentally and emotionally for live performances, especially when revisiting songs rooted in your most vulnerable moments?
Heather: It’s hard sometimes, because you’re dragging yourself back into memories or unwanted stories you tried to get over. But being on stage is also cathartic – you’re not alone with those feelings, you’ve got hundreds of people singing them with you so that definitely helps!
‘Smitten’ The 4th studio album from Pale Waves released via Dirty Hit Here: https://palewaves.ffm.to/smitten
Words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic