There are artists who would have preferred to be born in another era – whether for musical or societal reasons. And when you read certain interviews with Towa Bird, in which the musician talks about her influences, such as Jimi Hendrix, Prince, the Beatles, Pink Floyd or even the Who, you might believe that this 25-year-old guitarist was born 50 years too late. . But actually, no.
When asked the question, this is his response:
« No, I was definitely born in the right generation. I’m happy to be a child of the TikTok generation. I think it’s probably the best time to be a queer artist today, more than it’s ever been before,” Towa tells Glamour.
Big thanks to Olivia Rodrigo
There are two reasons why Towa believes she was born at the right time. First, the Filipino-English artist is a pure product of her generation, using the Internet and social networks as a giant platform to nourish and develop her creativity. Growing up, she lived between London and Thailand and struggled to make many friends. She then found refuge in her room, with her guitar and expressed her feelings by composing songs, trying to match the dexterity of the guitarists she admired.
In 2020, in her bedroom in the English capital, she posted a cover of Tame Impala on TikTok (The Less I Know the Better) and gains 10,000 subscribers in a few days. Towa quickly grasped the power of social networks and then continued to post on the platform, covering well-known songs on the electric guitar. Bingo: she catches the eye of Billie Eilish, Willow Smith and Olivia Rodrigo. Even better: the author of Sour even gets in touch with Towa to invite him to play guitar for his documentary Driving Home 2 U.
@towabird vibezzz #fyp #guitar #foryou ♬ original sound – Towa Bird
Queer Music
The other reason why Towa feels good in this modern world? She can proudly assume her homosexuality. She is a queer artist who writes songs about love between two people of the same sex, without having to hide. Immigrant, racialized and lesbian, Towa is also a symbol: “ Perhaps I am the new American hero, as an immigrant, as a non-citizen, as a queer person, and as a person of color? “, she asks herself during an interview for the site DIY Magazine.
It is no coincidence that his first album is called American Hero : Towa embodies a new generation of models, with values of diversity and inclusiveness in line with current morals. “ I think people want queer music. I think people want guitar and band music again », blurts Towa in DIY Magazine. And that’s exactly what she has to offer the world.
Towa, a heroine?
From 2022, the modern fairy tale begins for Towa Bird. She moved to Los Angeles, signed with the Interscope structure (Billie Eilish, Eminem, Stromae, etc.), went on tour with Reneé Rapp and began working on her first album.
Inspired by 70s rock classics, Britpop and 2000s indie rock (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Vaccines, MGMT, etc.), the guitarist creates pop-oriented rock hits that focus on efficiency and spontaneity. An album on which the lyrics and choruses are as important as her favorite instrument, and where punk pieces (Deep Cut or B.I.L.L.S) and others more tender, like A Party et Mayflower. A bit like if you were listening to the soundtrack of an American “feel good movie” from the 2000s.
Even if his album is called American HeroTowa Bird makes it clear: she is not American and she does not consider herself a heroine. But with her music, and what she represents, the young guitarist can become a role model for many people who lack direction and feel marginalized. And this hope that she gives is almost as important as her music.
