Youth's Lives Every Day
By: Jaymes Black, CEO, The Trevor Project
Swedish-born, LA-based singer, songwriter, and boundary-pushing artist Tove Lo has been a dedicated supporter of The Trevor Project’s life-saving mission for years. From creating merch with proceeds benefiting our work, to being the very first celebrity signature on our Open Letter to LGBTQ+ Youth, her advocacy runs deep. She uses her massive platform to amplify messages of hope to her young LGBTQ+ fans – and we’re so grateful to call her a friend.
We caught up with the “Busy Girl” herself to talk about the release of the limited-edition HEAT vinyl EP – which benefits The Trevor Project – as well as her support systems, messages in her music, and her words of inspiration for LGBTQ+ youth.
Jaymes: Tove, congratulations on the one-year anniversary of HEAT and the launch of your limited-edition vinyl! What messages do you hope your fans received now that it’s been out for a year?
Tove Lo: Thank you! I can’t believe it’s been a year already. Me and Sam [SG Lewis] really just wanna say thank you to our fans in the queer community for making these songs part of their lives and dance floors. The response to the EP was so beautiful we had to make a vinyl 🙂
Jaymes: The HEAT vinyl EP also benefits The Trevor Project, which means the world to us.. Why did you choose to support The Trevor Project?
Tove Lo: I really believe in what The Trevor Project stands for and what you do to help young queer lives. The fact that when a lot of them might not have any support around them, they can pick up the phone to call The Trevor Project and someone WILL be there. Someone WILL answer and help. That is crucial.
Jaymes: You’re often on the road for work. How do you take care of yourself with such a packed schedule, and what keeps you grounded?
Tove Lo: I’m not sure I’m very grounded on the road or in life haha. I like chaos and unpredictability otherwise I get bored. I hate routine so touring is perfect for me. I love waking up in a new city every day.
Jaymes: You’ve collaborated with a number of top artists, and you and your industry colleagues are passionate about supporting each other. Can you share why it’s important to have strong support systems in the music industry?
Tove Lo: I think it’s a very strange “job” to be an artist. It’s your life dream coming true but it entails a lot of things that aren’t so dream-like. You need to be able to vent to your peers and be vulnerable about things that maybe won’t make sense to other people. At the same time, the wins vary in size and it’s easy to get jaded. Having your peers support you, check you, celebrate you and also remind you of why you do it is definitely needed.
Jaymes: What message of hope and inspiration would you like to send to LGBTQ+ young people?
Tove Lo: Today’s climate might make it hard to “stay strong and proud” but remember that there is still so much love and compassion within this community to lean on. Remember that you deserve to be you, to feel good in your sexuality and your identity.
