Q&A: Quelle Rox Reflects on the Past in Cosmic EP ‘GLITTER TEARS’
UNAPOLOGETICALLY AUTHENTIC — New York–based artist Quelle Rox is unafraid to express herself in every aspect of life, whether it be her fashion, music, or lifestyle. In her new EP, GLITTER TEARS, released on Nov. 18, Rox draws listeners into her spacey sonic fantasyland with gentle ease. Twinkly production, steady drums, and light vocals cascade throughout the opening track “BIRDY’S,” while the following song, “WHIPPED CREAM DREAM,” sounds as sweet as its title. “PURPLE NIGHTS” lends itself to a sultry, almost haunting atmosphere, and “MARGARITA” is reminiscent of an ’80s dream-pop song made for a nostalgic film scene.
GLITTER TEARS comes off the heels of Rox’s 2021 EP, coffee & a cig, which similarly creates a hazy, ambient soundscape. Fans of Kali Uchis and The Marías would especially find themselves enjoying Rox’s celestial world, and the artist’s discography has found itself spanning notable Spotify playlists such as Latin R&B and el nuevo indie.
Read below to learn about Rox’s process behind GLITTER TEARS, her Puerto Rican and Cuban roots, what inspires her style, and her conflicting feelings about New York.
LUNA: I listened to GLITTER TEARS and I loved it, front to back! I would love to know your creative process of making this EP (production, lyricism, inspiration, etc.).
ROX: Aw, thanks! I started writing it in January of 2022. I thought that, coming out of my last EP, coffee & a cig, released Dec. 2021, that I wanted to take a break, but I ended up becoming really inspired by my past experiences and [got] back into writing soon after that EP dropped. This EP is a combination of current experiences, but also a reflection and nostalgia for a moment in time when I lived off Myrtle/Broadway in Brooklyn. I used to live above a bar called Birdy’s, which is the title of the first song on the EP and the first song I wrote off the EP. Just to be clear, this song is not about the bar (laughs), it’s about what this time represented for me. After this song, I realized the direction of this EP would be one in the nostalgic realm… all my music, actually (laughs).
LUNA: I’m Mexican American and I’ve always loved the dream-pop space that some of my favorite Latina artists occupy — Kali Uchis and Tei Shi come to mind. How has your Puerto Rican–Cuban background impacted your art?
ROX: Love it! Shoutout to all the Latinas. I think that it’s helped me to sing in both languages and mix my culture (that I’m super proud of) into my art. It also allows me to connect with other Latinas in this genre, like one of my besties, Andria Rose, who, we have two songs in Spanish together. My culture and mixing it into my art has allowed me to develop strong friendships and a community with my people. We are all very supportive of each other, and it just feels really nice to see yourself and your people pursuing their dreams and being uplifted.
LUNA: You have killer ethereal vocals all throughout the EP — when did you start singing, and what is your general background in music?
ROX: Thanks! Ya girl has been singing and writing her whole life — this has been my main passion since before I could even remember! I loved writing lyrics and humming new melodies as early as four or five years old? So it’s truly such a blessing to be sharing my art with the world. I remember when I was younger, I was so afraid to sing in front of people (laughs), so overall I’m proud to be comfy doing that now, doing what I love, and happy that I’ve found my vibe and voice just by singing in a way that feels the most natural to me.
LUNA: Who are some of your favorite artists?
ROX: I love Khruangbin — I can always listen to them and get so much calmness and peace from their sound. I also absolutely love Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and French jazz is my shit! And then, love me some Blood Orange, The Smiths, and of course Bad Bunny!
LUNA: What or who inspires your aesthetic/fashion?
ROX: I like ’90s retro cyberspace hoe glitter-y vibes, when I’m shooting for Quelle Rox. I also love a lined lip and a little bit of gaudy jewelry and a chonga-esque flair. I was the OG chonga back in South Florida growing up, so it only makes sense (laughs). However, day to day, I love sweatpants, but funky ones, big shades, and some funny, colorful socks. I have matching sets of sweats with flowers and then another with colorful animations drawn on them from this talented artist Yurie Sekiya, and I wear them all the time! Funky comfort has been my most frequent and longstanding vibe!
LUNA: What do you like the most about New York?
ROX: I have a love-hate relationship with New York. This place is so fucking expensive it hurts. But what I really do love is the music community and going to shows and seeing all my friends play and kill it all the time. I go to shows all the time, and that’s one of my fave things to do. Speaking of shows, come to my EP release show at the Sultan Room Nov. 18! Tix here ;)
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