story by editor-in-chief: Ashly Nicole

This past month, and honestly year, has been a whirlwind for our girl, TiLLie! From putting out new music, to multiple tours throughout the US and UK, and even festivals, there’s been no shortage of all things TiLLie in 2025 - and we love it! She just completed her most recent run with the equally as badass UK native, Delilah Bon on the ‘EVIL, HATE FILLED FEMALE’ tour, and we got to soak up every second of their show in Los Angeles in August. I could truly say there has probably never been a more inspiring and honestly, more entertaining line up than these two. The Lodge Room had absolutely no room to move, as both TiLLie and Delilah fans alike filled the venue to capacity - and the energy in that room was everything we needed and more.

Like Delilah, TiLLie’s music isn’t just something to passively listen to or to just fill the air with noise; her music is outspoken, it’s loud, it’s in your face in the ways more music should be, and it’s honest.
If you’re new to the TiLLieverse, or you’ve been here for awhile, you’ll know or soon find out who the person behind TiLLie is. She is so incredibly candid on and off stage, and I think that is something everyone should strive to be in both the music world and in life. There are so many vulnerable moments between songs, while the context and backstory is so importantly and genuinely given, in hopes that even just one or two people in each crowd can come out of every show with a new perspective, feeling like they’re not alone, or like there’s someone else in the world that understands them. I’ve been to a good handful of TiLLie’s shows now, and every bit of this rings true with every single set she performs. There has not been a time that I haven’t left a show of hers not feeling hopeful that there are good people in this world, and beaming with pride in the fact that we have someone like TiLLie screaming so fearlessly into the scary place that is the music industry; we need that.

After this run, I had the privilege of sitting down with TiLLie, and really pick her brain on what it’s like to write, put out, and perform the music that she does. We talked about what really drives her and inspires her to be who she is, not only as a musician, but a person, and even talked about some vulnerable moments.

Let's get into your music first and foremost, because besides getting to know the real TiLLie, we really want to know more about your music, what inspires you, and things that fuel your artistry.

Does your new song, "Earn a Living", reference a specific moment or feeling in your life?

For sure. One day I was having a panic attack about my financial situation as a musician, and while I was crying on the floor, my British partner laid next to me and said “earn a living” is such a f’d up
American phrase - and id never really thought about it before. So I got to thinking about how much I value the success of my life solely on how much money I make rather than all the beautiful things going on in my life that are working. So maybe I don’t make a enough to survive solely making music, but id rather get a second job than quit doing this because its brought me so many insanely beautiful and uniquely special moments in my life that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

What reaction or feeling do you hope listeners walk away with after hearing “earn a living”?

I hope it reminds them that their worth isn’t based on their financial status - and that’s it ok to pursue things you love despite how much money it brings in. Sometimes it feels like we can’t even have hobbies anymore because we’ve been taught to see how we can turn a profit in everything, so I hope it encourages people to seek things out solely based on the feeling they get while doing it
- rather than the outcome.

Are there any behind the scenes details you could share about the writing and visual creation process of your new and upcoming music?

I selected this upcoming batch of songs solely based on how I felt when I was making them - specifically the ones that felt the most natural, honest, and raw while I was in the studio.
TiLLieverse was such a wild extension of my imagination, so this time I wanted to sort of go the opposite way and get super real and back to my roots. tiLLie started as this caricature of myself - the strong, superhero version of myself I wanted to be, and I think through doing that, I finally feel safe and good to going back to Grace and sharing a more vulnerable side of myself with people.

What are some big takeaways you hope people gain from not only listening to your music, but seeing you live, and from tiLLie in general?
Besides music, are there other goals for tiLLie in terms of impact?

I hope that people can feel seen and accepted wholly. That they feel empowered to be their truest selves completely. We’re all wearing some sort of mask, and I hope that while listening to tiLLie or being at a tiLLie show they can take that mask off for while.

You've defined your style as “Nightmare Pop”, what does that label mean to you, and how do you blend that darkness with some of your bright/poppy catchy melodies?

I think I’m pivoting from that now for sure - but that dark and light fusion will always remain relevant to me. It’s sort of like swallowing your medicine with a spoonful of sugar. I think people are better able to digest hard, but necessary conversations when they’re presented in a more appealing way, and I think that’s the fun thing about music in general.

You've built your career DIY-style, you do pretty much everything yourself (and I love that) writing, producing, designing visuals. How has that shaped your artistic identity?

It’s certainly helped me developed a large skillset that I wouldn’t have expected to develop being a songwriter. But its also helped me sort of look at the holistic view of it all when im creating - as I’ll start to see the visuals while writing. I mean all of that definitely played a huge part in the tillieverse ep - because I sort of had half the songs when the idea of the universe emerged, so then that influenced the rest of the songs that ended up on the ep. I am trying now to get back to a more child-like stripped creative state of just creating for the music solely and letting the rest follow.

Are there any artists that have really influenced you when it comes to your writing style, but also your stage presence?

As far as writing style goes, Eminem is a huge inspiration - I love the raw directness of his lyrics, and how he wasn’t afraid to say things that most definitely made people uncomfortable for the sake of expressing his truth. He doesn’t let poetry get in the way of raw emotion, and sometimes I think us artists get too caught up in making things feel pretty. As far as stage presence goes, the singer of Turnstile is so inspiring to me. He’s sooo extra and full of energy and moves like he’s completely unaware of his physicality in the best possible way. And I mean, who isn’t inspired by Miss Williams live?

yesss, we love a Hayley callout

Have you had any standout or moving fan experiences throughout the years? If so, can you share one that means a lot to you or that possibly impacts you still?

Yesss, so many. Because of the lyrical nature of my songs, people share their very similar stories to me - which is heartbreaking, but to hear how my pain has helped them navigate their own is such an honor and makes me feel like something good can come out of it all. Ive had 4-5 experiences with mothers and daughters sharing together and that really sticks with me because you see living proof of generation trauma and the commonality of abuse - which is devastating, but seeing their bonds and those moms supporting their kids like that is so beautiful and gives me hope.

I truly love the trust and connection you have between you and your fans, and it’s important to have an artist like you in not only a male dominated space, but in one where there’s so much corruption, and not as many strong voices that speak out about the important things that you do. Thank you for being you.

The tour you just finished is honestly such a powerhouse of two badass female artists, and I'm absolutely here for it. How did you get connected with Delilah Bon, and could we possibly see any collaboration between the two of you in the future? Your sounds and style, in my opinion, would mesh so well!

I really can’t remember exactly how we got connected - I wanna say we found each other on ig and started chatting! And then maybe our agents connected over me supporting her on her UK tour in fall of last year. But yesss I would love that and I hope we can do more together - we certainly talk about it. I adore her and think her talent is one of a kind. im honored to call her a friend.

If you could sum up the world of “tiLLieverse” in three words, what would they be? A blissfully dissociative getaway.

Since this is CH3RRi Tea, is there any "tea" you'd be down to share with us? Any hints or easter eggs on future projects, dream collabs, cities you'd love to tour through,
literally anything!
I’ve got another single coming very soon which may or may not be part of a larger project :)
and check out my most recent visualizer for “earn a living”

In an industry where artists are often expected to be polished products rather than vulnerable people, TiLLie is the kind of force that reminds us why music matters in the first place. Whether she’s screaming into the void, dancing with a crowd of strangers, or crying on the floor mid-creation, her commitment to truth, no matter how scary, messy, or uncomfortable it may be, is what truly sets her apart. There’s something undeniably powerful about watching someone bare their soul onstage, not for spectacle, but for connection.

The tiLLieverse might have started as a kind of escape, a place to retreat into something larger than life, but it’s since evolved into a living, breathing space where honesty, emotion, and radical self-expression are not only welcomed, but celebrated. It’s a world built not on illusion, but on intention. One where masks can come off, vulnerability is met with love, and fans are more like chosen family.

As TiLLie continues to evolve, write, and connect with people across the globe, she reminds us that success isn’t measured in streams or dollars, it’s measured in impact. In a world obsessed with profit, her true currency is connection. And that kind of wealth? You can’t fake it.

TiLLie doesn’t just sing her truth - she creates space for all of ours. And in doing so, she gives us permission to feel, to speak up, and to take up space - exactly as we are.