Q&A: Polly Money On Crafting Queer Anthems and Finding Her Voice
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY DANIELLE HOLIAN ☆
Polly Money is carving out a space in indie-pop that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. With her latest single, “Milk & Honey,” she offers a nostalgic, aching, and ultimately hopeful glimpse into early queer love. It’s a song that encapsulates the thrill, fear, and emotional turbulence of those first romantic experiences—a sonic love letter to young queer hearts navigating the highs and lows of self-discovery.
Known for her dreamy soundscapes and unflinchingly honest lyricism, Polly has a way of transforming personal moments into melodies that feel like home. In “Milk & Honey,” she channels her own coming-of-age journey, crafting a track that feels at once intimate and anthemic. The juxtaposition of its bittersweet lyrics with an uplifting instrumental underscores the complexities of love, secrecy, and newfound identity. Whether it’s the quiet devastation of a love interest disclosing their relationship to their mother without warning or the euphoric realization of what it means to love freely, Polly’s storytelling is visceral and real.
Her artistry is rooted in a candid vulnerability, a trait that defines not just her music but her entire creative process. She finds inspiration in the everyday—small moments that, when magnified, hold immense weight. Her approach to songwriting is refreshingly direct; she embraces the raw and unfiltered emotions that shape her world, leaving no room for pretense. This authenticity extends into her visuals as well, with the Rosie Carney-directed music video for “Milk & Honey” embodying a minimalist, almost voyeuristic intimacy that allows the song to breathe.
Beyond her music, Polly’s presence in the industry as a proudly queer artist is shaping the landscape for others to find their voices. She refers to herself as a “lesbian overlord” with a wink, but her influence is anything but ironic. In an era where queer representation in music is expanding, Polly is part of the wave ensuring these stories are heard—not as novelties, but as essential parts of the human experience. Through her work, she cultivates a space where listeners can see themselves reflected, embraced, and celebrated.
Her upcoming EP, T-Shirt Nothing Else, promises to build upon this foundation, offering a sonic journey through personal growth, love, and identity. Fans can expect a lush, vocal-forward collection of songs, filled with layered harmonies, rich guitar work, and a narrative arc that unfolds in real-time. And for those who have followed Polly’s journey, the EP will be a testament to her evolution, both as a musician and as a storyteller.
Of course, Polly’s artistic path has been shaped by a variety of experiences, including her time touring as a guitarist and vocalist with The 1975. The opportunity to witness firsthand the discipline, dedication, and sheer energy that goes into a major musical act has been invaluable in shaping her own ambitions. Yet, despite any external influences, she remains unwavering in her own vision, resisting pressures to conform and staying true to her instinctual creative process.
As she continues to navigate the indie-pop scene, Polly recognizes the challenges that come with carving out an authentic space. The industry often tries to mold artists to fit a particular image or sound, but she has learned to trust herself. Gone are the days of being easily swayed by outside opinions; now, Polly is steadfast in her commitment to making music that she loves, without compromise.
For young queer artists hoping to forge their own paths, Polly’s advice is simple but powerful: keep writing, keep playing, and keep building connections. The early days of a music career can feel isolating, but they’re also some of the most exciting—a time to experiment, to find community, and to embrace the joy in the process.
With artists like ML Buch, Dijon, and Mk.Gee currently fueling her creative fire, Polly continues to dream big. A collaboration with any of them would be a dream come true, but for now, she’s focused on making music that feels right—music that hugs you back, just like the warmth of her upcoming EP. And if T-Shirt Nothing Else had an unofficial theme song? Right now, she’d pick “Working it out” by ML Buch—a track that, much like her own music, bathes the listener in a comforting glow.
As Polly Money gears up for the next chapter in her journey, one thing remains clear: her music isn’t just for her. It’s for the little lesbian Pollys out there, for the baby gays figuring things out, and for anyone who has ever experienced love in all its messy, beautiful, heart-wrenching glory. “Milk & Honey” is just the beginning.
LUNA: You’ve just released your new single, “Milk & Honey.” Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the song and what it means to you?
POLLY: It’s really a song for little lesbian Polly and the baby gays. I wanted to write a queer coming of age song that represented the ups and downs of falling in love for the first time. The lyrics are a bit heartbreaking but the music is hopeful, so I hope it still makes you feel good.
LUNA: The song captures the thrill and fear of early queer romance—what personal experiences influenced the storytelling in “Milk & Honey?”
POLLY: The influence comes from my first experiences of realising I was queer. For me there was quite a lot of secrecy in those first years, so for example in the first verse of Milk & Honey I’m trying to get across the fact I’m kind of pissed about my love interest telling their mum without telling me first. In some cases telling people early on can feel like it’s breaking the spell because not everyone reacts to the news of their child being gay in a great way, so it can be scary in those early moments but also the best feeling in the world.
LUNA: Your music blends dreamy indie-pop with deeply personal lyricism. How do you balance vulnerability and creativity in your songwriting?
POLLY: I’m not sure I know how to write differently to be honest. I also resonate with artists who are able to make a poignant song out of a mundane everyday experience. I’m quite a heart on my sleeve type of person and I think that comes out in my songwriting whether I like it or not. I’m also not particularly patient when it comes to making music so I tend to stick with the first thing I write. If anyone has the secret to being more cryptic, hit me up!
LUNA: The accompanying music video, directed by Rosie Carney, has an intimate and minimalist feel. What was the creative process like in bringing this visual to life?
POLLY: We bought it together quite quickly. Rosie had previously filmed a visualiser for “i’m not proud” and I loved how she captured me without me really knowing she was filming. So I guess “Milk & Honey” is an extension of that vibe. It was clear from the start we wanted a blank room and to keep it super simple.
LUNA: You’ve described yourself as a “lesbian overlord,” which we love. How does your queer identity shape your artistry and the stories you tell through your music?
POLLY: Being queer definitely shapes my artistry in a sense that I’m mostly writing about my own experiences with women. You know we live in a time where in a lot of places you are able to be open and celebrate being gay because it’s not always been an option, so I do think it’s important to be creating as many spaces as possible where people feel like they can listen, come and be themselves without any sort of judgement. Being queer isn’t my entire identity, but it is my life so it’s cathartic to be able to share those experiences through the songs I write knowing that plenty of others have been through the same.
LUNA: Your forthcoming EP T-Shirt Nothing Else is on the horizon. What can fans expect from this collection of songs?
POLLY: You can expect to hear lots of guitars, plenty of backing vocals and a few runs—we cannot forget about the runs. I’d like to think the EP provides songs for different moods and occasions, and sonically it’s building on the vibe of the three singles I’ve released recently. And (purely by accident) the events talked about in the lyrics happen to be in chronological order, so there’s a narrative running through the 5 songs.
LUNA: You’ve toured as a guitarist and vocalist with The 1975. How has that experience influenced your own music and career as a solo artist?
POLLY: Oh, it’s influenced me tenfold. I feel extremely grateful to have had that experience. The boys are dab hands at all of this so not only was I inspired by playing this incredible music every night, but just how much work and dedication is needed to create something unique and that people want to listen to and come and see time and time again.
LUNA: As an artist navigating the indie-pop scene, what challenges have you faced, and how have you stayed true to your vision?
POLLY: People tend to want to pull you in all sorts of directions that suit them and when I was younger I was a lot more impressionable and easily led. Now I feel like I’m a lot more assured and secure in the music I want to make, so if there are some people who aren’t on board with that it doesn’t shake me so much anymore. Now this isn’t a new thought, but I genuinely want to make music I like and that’s what matters most in my opinion.
LUNA: Many fans resonate with your lyricism and the emotions you convey. What do you hope listeners take away from “Milk & Honey?”
POLLY: I want people to attach this song to a good time. Something positive and hopeful that you can share with your friends.
LUNA: If you could describe “Milk & Honey” in three words, what would they be?
POLLY: Hopeful, juvenile, crush
LUNA: What’s your songwriting process like? Do you start with lyrics, a melody, or a particular feeling you want to capture?
POLLY: I am very chronological in my writing. I usually start with a couple of chords of melody from an instrument and that will dictate a vibe and from there a subject, lyrics and melody come.
LUNA: What advice would you give to young queer artists trying to carve their path in the music industry?
POLLY: I’m a big believer in the hustle. Writing loads of music, playing loads of shows, meeting as many people as possible within your scene and beyond and then repeating that. It can be a very lonely industry, but also tons of fun so I always encourage people to enjoy the early parts of it.
LUNA: What music or artists have been inspiring you lately? Are there any dream collaborations on your bucket list?
POLLY: I’ve been really inspired lately by ML Buch, Dijon and Mk.Gee. If I could work with any of them it would be an absolute dream.
LUNA: If T-Shirt Nothing Else had a theme song other than your own, what would it be and why?
POLLY: Right now it would be “Working it out” by ML Buch. I want this EP to bathe you in warmth and give you a hug when you need it. “Working it out” does that.
