In 2024 queer singers are out of the closet and more publicly open about their private lives than ever before. Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish and Renee Rapp are leading the rainbow charge.
Then there’s Maude Latour.
This sexually fluid, free spirit sports long blonde locks and a wide vocal range that dives into a lower register at times. There’s something about Latour’s way of delivering pop melodies that is memorable and resonates with listeners, such as her song “One More Weekend,” which has been streamed millions of times. Her music career is quickly climbing to new heights after being signed to Warner Records.
The Swedish songstress released her debut album Sugar Water to positive reviews and has curated personal songs like “Officially Mine” to perform live in concert. The new music brings her out on the road as a supporting act for fellow queer singer Fletcher, including at Radio City Music Hall in her hometown New York City.
She took time out backstage before her sold-out set at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom to chat about her story to Windy City Times.
Windy City Times: Hi, Maude. Begin with pronouns and identity…
Maude Latour: My pronouns are she/her and I’m a bi-pansexual girlie.
WCT: Where did your name come from?
ML: It’s my real name and my dad is Dutch.
WCT: Where did you grow up?
ML: I was born in Sweden then we moved to London, then to Hong Kong, and I have lived in New York for the past 10 years.
WCT: Have you been to Chicago much in the past?
ML: My grandparents are from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, so I consider myself a Midwest girl. Chicago is always my favorite stop when I am on tour. They are the best crowds and I know a lot of fans here. We are very close and I feel at home here honestly.
WCT: I met you when you were here in Grant Park at Lollapalooza in 2022.
ML: Lolla was such a life-peak experience!
WCT: When did you first start performing?
ML: I was always in the choir as a little girl and I grew up playing the violin. When I was in high school, I finally realized the music could be about me and my life. That changed everything. I began writing songs nonstop and playing around in New York at venues like The Bitter End. That’s how it all started.
WCT: How do you create your music? Your catalog of work sounds like you are experimenting with vocals at times.
ML: Totally. I am trying to push the boundaries of what a pop song can be. I sneak in messages with lyrics within the songs like confessing fear of death or finding our inner selves. I want there to be secret worlds in every song. I will put voice memos as part of the tracks and weird sounds that I have found.
The production part is equally fun to me as performing the songs at shows.
WCT: Is there a particular song you like to perform live on this tour?
ML: We will have to debrief after the show, but all of the Sugar Water music is hitting so differently than I expected. It all works great with my current voice while still using new registers in my vocals. I love playing “Cursed Romantics” and “Whirlpool.”
WCT: Was it messy wearing glitter lip gloss while making the video for “Too Slow?”
ML: Yes, I swallowed so much of it! [laughs] I had to make peace with myself that I was going to have microplastics inside of me. They are probably still there.
WCT: It’s like that in my house after a Pride parade. With the video for “Officially Mine,” there’s something for everyone’s tastes and attractions. Were the actors people that you knew in real life?
ML: Yes. Georgia Bridgers is a friend and we got permission from both of our girlfriends to make the video. She’s an actress and there are other cameos from musicians that I love in the video such as Devon Again and The Army, The Navy. We asked every person we possibly could to come through and they did. There were 65 people involved and it was fun.
The concept was that Sugar Water makes people fall in love as soon as it touches someone, then they have a human connection with someone else.
WCT: I need some Sugar Water. Is there any here backstage?
ML: You might get some onstage later!
WCT: What artists influence you? Your music has moments of sounding like Lorde and Marina.
ML: Yes, early on Lorde taught me that I could write songs, then in middle school I liked Marina. I love Gwen Stefani so much, and she comes through sometimes in my music.
When I started in choir I had that classical training and range, but later I liked Robyn and her unusual voice. I am influenced by a lot of people for sure.
WCT: Playing off your song, has this been a “Summer of Love” for you?
ML: The song was inspired by last summer because that is when I wrote it. This was more of a Sugar Water summer instead.
WCT: How is the tour going so far with Fletcher?
ML: Great question, we are two days in and it’s been a smash success so far for me. She’s the coolest girl and very chill. She’s confident in her demeanor and what a performer she is onstage. She’s absolutely a rock star and it’s inspiring to be around her.
This whole crew makes it happen. It’s a way bigger tour than I could have had myself, so it’s an honor to be a small part of it.
WCT: The LGBTQ+ community has come out to support you and Fletcher in Chicago and tonight is sold out. What would you say to them?
ML: This tour is such a party and it’s amazing to be in a room full of queer people. I teared up watching Fletcher’s show the other day because she’s been an icon for people for so long. We are here to be free and let loose. We all have love in our hearts and being in these beautiful spaces makes my heart melt.
WCT: I saw so many girls holding hands with each other downstairs, and it’s a celebration of people being themselves.
ML: Totally and it feels like Pride at these concerts every time we stop somewhere on the tour.
WCT: What are your plans for the rest of the year?
ML: I will be on the Fletcher tour for a while and I would like to do a Sugar Water headlining tour if possible. I have been in such a mode to finish this album before the tour, so eventually I can start fresh by making new music at some point in the future.
Follow the rise of this talented performer at maudelatour.com and maudelstatus on Instagram.