How 16-year-old Flowerovlove is blossoming into Gen Z’s next lo-fi pop superstar
This is A HOT MINUTE WITH, a quick-fire interview series championing all the rising talent catapulting into fashion, art and music’s fickle stratosphere. From pinch-me moments to bad dates and even worse chat-up lines, think of it as an overindulgent conversation – like the ones you have in sticky club toilets at 4.A.M. Except these guests don’t regret the overshare…
Through her latest EP Think Flower, teenage musician Flowerovlove fuses an affinity for nature and soothing melodies into an introspective love story on self-growth.
Courtesy of @flowerovlove
NAME FLOWEROVLOVE a.k.a Joyce Cisse.
AGE 16
LOCATION London, England
STAR SIGN Aquarius
FAVOURITE FLOWER Gardenia
Alice May Stenson: Hey Joyce, what have you been up to today?
Joyce Cisse: Hi Alice, it was actually my very last day at school today so we had a special off-timetable agenda.
AMS: Congratulations on finishing! What’s your earliest memory of making music?
JC: It was probably songwriting, I remember – well I still have it – but there’s this book that I think my aunt gave to me as she has lots of spare notebooks from where she works in an office. I would open it randomly and start writing totally spontaneous thoughts. Oh actually, I remember there was this one song I wrote when I was about 10 and I would practice it in the garden and the chorus was literally me screaming the entire time. These songs were never completed but it was what first drew me into written words.
Ever since I was like six, I've always said the classic “I wouldn't be a popstar” line because at that age it’s still something of a pipe dream. But as I grew up I realised I was serious about that. When it comes to careers, schools only tend to focus on a singular academic route. Yet nothing else comes to my mind that would make me happy and make me continue to be happy apart from making music. I’m really just following my heart.
AMS: If somebody couldn’t hear your songs, how would you describe them?
JC: I would say Flowerovlove-y. It’s just me! The message I want to convey is just to love yourself, that you are powerful and you are the one capable to do that.
AMS: Where did your stage name actually come from?
JC: Well, it's not something that came about as a username, even though I’m known for it on Instagram. Rather, it meant something on a sentimental level for a long time; the idea actually started off as “flower garden” around 2005 but I just decided that, no, it wasn’t hitting for me. As I started to gain friends on social media, mainly around last year, it just felt right to change it back. But it had a more direct meaning this time: flower represents women and growth as people together, and then the love part – that represents giving love to everyone.
AMS: I can tell you have poured this passion into your latest EP Think Flower. Do you have a favourite song on there?
JC: I would say it’s definitely Dancing in the Rain because its whole process, the making of it, was super fun. It actually started from this jokey melody from another track [proceeds to sing] and then I wrote on my phone these lyrics that arose in my head: it’s me and the rain, kiss me in the rain. I thought it was all too high-pitched but my brother told me – no, this is actually FIRE. To the point where it could be another song entirely. So that same night he made me a beat, and then I just redesigned it a little, so it’s not about kissing in the rain anymore, because dancing is way more me.
AMS: Imagine you can go on an adventure anywhere with anyone. What are you doing?
JC: You know what, I would go flying in outer space but I wouldn’t take anybody with me. I sometimes like to experience things alone, travelling solo can be so special, just having that precious time to self-reflect.
AMS: From rain to flowers, nature is a running theme through your work. Why do you gravitate towards this?
JC: I'm absolutely obsessed with nature! To me, being outside is so amazing, there’s just something about it that is wonderfully freeing. Outside I can make my own rules to make my day so much better amongst trees and plants and the air. I also meditate and do yoga so that’s where it comes in – I was there before it gained mainstream traction.
AMS: So is the outside world your happy place when writing?
JC: Strangely enough the only song that's been written outside, that’s released, is On My Way. You’ll never have guessed – I was literally on my way to somewhere, it’s as simple as that [laughs] but yeah songwriting is more a bedroom thing for me I’d say. Come to think of it, I journal outside sometimes.
AMS: What do you journal about?
JC: I do this thing every single day where I write down what I’m grateful for, it’s important for clearing my headspace. I also collect inspirational quotes such as this one [holds up a handwritten note] which says that you should focus on where you’re going, not where you’ve been. I firmly believe that what happened in the past doesn’t actually matter, that you should not dwell and always be excited for the things that are coming.
AMS: Which three things are you grateful for right now?
JC: That’s the best question to ask me as it’s such a ritual of mine. I am grateful for the beautiful sun in the sky because it has the power to immediately brighten your day – both emotionally and physically. The second thing I’m grateful for is having a positive mindset about everything and lastly, a comfortable bed to sleep on.
AMS: Self-love is a positive part of personal growth. Do you have any advice to share on this?
JC: Do care about how you feel, be selfish and prioritise yourself over everything. It doesn’t matter the situation – if you're having a bad friendship or something, to be selfish and put yourself first is always the correct thing to do. If others oppose that then the problem is on them. As long as you are caring for how you feel and trying to improve your own happiness, then you are growing.
AMS: How has your music evolved as you’ve matured in age?
JC: I think writing is way easier, I've realised that it can have lingual meaning more than just being a jumble of words on a page. I’d say it's growing almost entirely lyrically. I try not to write about boys, I don't do that at all now. Writing about guys will remind me of complicated scenarios where instead I want to focus on giving myself the love. Of course, the production has vastly improved as well, it’s so much quicker as I am better grasping the mindset.
AMS: Who is inspiring you at this moment?
JC: I’ve always loved ABBA but I can’t lie they’re really hitting for me again. Not just the Mamma Mia soundtrack though, I’m talking all of the music videos.
AMS: There’s a lo-fi, dreamy aura surrounding your songs – can you recall any wild dreams you’ve had?
JC: I only get like five hours of sleep sometimes so I don’t really remember a lot of them BUT there’s one from years ago that involved a purple monster in each corner of my bedroom and one time it sprung up in front of the window! It’s exactly like when your coat is creating a shadow by the door – truly terrifying.
AMS: And how would you describe your wardrobe in three words?
JC: I’m trying to think of unique words here… but no, I’m going to go with cosy, colourful and powerful. I think my taste is a means of self-expression, bright shades will always lighten my day and lift my spirits.
AMS: You’ve previously cited the eighties as style inspiration. If you woke up tomorrow during that decade, what’s the first thing you’d do?
JC: Oh wow this is not the answer you’d probably expect, like going to the disco or whatever, but I would do something simple such as meet up with a friend – not necessarily a friend from our current times though. I remember seeing work from this videographer called Nelson Sullivan, he would meet up with his pals in the eighties and they had to arrange it all through one landline phone call as they didn’t obviously have mobiles. I would love to experience what it’s like to not live in a digital age, imagine how cool it’d be to appreciate the outdoors like that.
AMS: I’m giving you power to change the world, but you only have a minute to decide. What are you doing?
JC: First and foremost, world peace – in every single place, it’s something I strongly advocate for. And for everyone to feel love; both loving themselves and having someone or something to love. Oh and I’d also cancel winter, it’s so miserable and cold! I would make all trees permanently evergreen too.
AMS: Finally, what’s next for Flowerovlove?
JC: Being a worldwide popstar! Global domination! But I would still like to leave the house by myself. I love my fans, and the fact these people take precious time out of their day to support me, I can’t wait to get on the stage this year.
Creative direction by JEFFREY THOMSON
Photography by MORGANN EVE RUSSELL
Styling by PHOEBE BUTTERWORTH
Featuring FLOWEROVLOVE
Hair by SHAMARA ROPER
Make-up by ALICE DODDS
Make-up assistance by NIC MARILYN
Special thanks to JOSS MEEK at WIRED PR
Interview and words by ALICE MAY STENSON
Joyce wears
LOOK 1 Knit vest and trousers, stylist’s own vintage archive; Shirt, model’s own; Shoes by ASOS.
LOOK 2 Top by AXELLE; Waistcoat and trousers by ALCHEMY LONDON; Shoes by MOLLY GODDARD X UGG; Rings by AURUM.