Towa Bird proves second time’s the charm with sophomore album Gentleman
From opening for Billie Eilish to walking for Miu Miu, Towa Bird has become one of rock’s most magnetic new stars and a queer icon in the making. Now, with Gentleman, she’s arriving with complete confidence.
Towa Bird’s sophomore album, Gentleman, proves one thing: confidence hits differently the second time around.
Raised on a “diet of dad rock”, the 27-year-old inherited her love of music from her father, while her sister’s eclectic iPod playlist, packed with Fall Out Boy and Lady Gaga, widened her sonic world to include British bands like Arctic Monkeys.
The British artist burst onto the scene in 2024 with her head-banging debut album American Hero. It was unapologetic, fierce and feisty – attributes that earned Bird viral acclaim on TikTok and her tune, the electrifying and uplifting Drain Me!, with over 15 million streams on Spotify.
A whirlwind of live appearances followed. Billie Eilish invited Bird to open her Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour. Her now-girlfriend Reneé Rapp brought her on to open the 2023 Snow Hard Feelings tour, and Olivia Rodrigo featured her in the 2022 Disney+ film, Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film).
Now, Bird is back with her sophomore album, Gentleman. The 11-track album exudes the confidence that she’s gained. The high-octane guitar solos are longer, and the lyrics are more honest than ever before. “This time, I really wanted the music to feel more empowered,” she says. “…There’s a whole lot more confidence that comes in album number two.”
The studio isn’t the only place Towa’s found her feet – she’s done it on the runway too. After dropping her debut album, Bird was recruited by Miu Miu to be the face of the brand, featuring in their campaigns and walking in two of their runway shows. “The first time [I walked]…I was just experiencing things for the first time, so I was very taken aback by everything, in a good way. The second time I was more prepared for everything,” she shares on making her return as a model for Miu Miu’s spring/summer 26 show.
Ahead of her sophomore album’s release, Bird joined us from her LA home to unpack the moments where she feels most confident and the unexpected part fashion plays in her career.
What first sparked your interest in music?
I grew up on a pretty heavy diet of classic 60s and 70s rock music. My dad made me listen to dad rock. I have vivid memories of listening to those CDs on the drive to school. My sister got an iPod and she would give me one of her earphones. She was into alternative rock and listening to Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance. She was also listening to pop music like Lady Gaga and The Pussycat Dolls. I think growing up with both of those influences at home was nice.
Have you had a moment when you thought, ‘I’ve made it’?
I went to Billie’s Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) premiere last night. It was really good fun. Going back to that tour and having all those memories come up was great. To be asked to be on that tour with her was definitely a big ‘pinch me’ moment. Another one was when I headlined a little mini tour for the last cycle. I specifically remember the New York show; the energy was so great in the room. It was really vibrant and magnetic, and I remember being like, ‘Wow, this is why I do it.’
What did the creative process behind creating an album look like the second time around?
I toured from October 2023 to the end of 2024. That’s a lot of shows. With them being opening slots, I was playing to a crowd that didn’t particularly know who I was. You’re in this position where you want to prove to them that you’re worth watching. It’s a really good place to test stuff and to see what sticks. I think that informed my second album.
You’ve spoken about how your music has helped people feel more comfortable in their identity. Are there any fan interactions that have really stayed with you?
My fans are the reason I do this. There are so many people who come up to me and say, ‘I’m here with my parents. Halfway through the set, I came out to them.’ Also, I feel like people can feel comfortable dressing the way that they want at my shows. For me, fashion is my identity, and it’s the way that I express myself. So many fans come to my show and dress the way that they want. Whether or not they feel safe to do that at home or in their community is another thing, but at my show, they can. I think that’s the most wonderful thing in the world.
Photography CHARLIE DENIS
PHOTOGRAPHY MIKAYLA LOBASSO
Fashion is my identity, it’s the way that I express myself. Fans can come to my show and dress the way that they want. Whether or not they feel safe to do that at home or with their community is another thing, but at my show, they can. I think that’s the most wonderful thing in the world.
TOWA BIRD
The album is titled Gentleman. You describe a gentleman as an emblem of queer confidence and someone who blurs the lines between masculine and feminine. To you, who is the ultimate gentleman?
The ultimate gentlemen are Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and Tina Turner. Actually, I kind of want to add David Bowie to that list.
You said that the album is a conversation between yourself, a reflection of your personality and the body you’re in. Do you have conversations with yourself?
All the time. I have a constant inner monologue. I’m trying to make it a little bit more positive these days because people can really hear that in the music. I wanted it to feel more empowered and for that confidence to be portrayed… There’s a whole lot more confidence that comes in album number two. Album number one, American Hero, was a little bit more exploratory. I was figuring out who I was. It was my first project ever. Then with this one, I’m like, ‘Oh no, I’ve arrived.’ I feel sure of what I want to say and how I want to say it.
Album number one, American Hero, was a little bit more exploratory. I was figuring out who I was. It was my first project ever. Then with this one, I’m like, ‘Oh no, I’ve arrived.’ I feel sure of what I want to say and how I want to say it.
TOWA BIRD
When do you feel most confident?
When I’m on stage and I’m playing a guitar solo. That’s the best moment ever. Also when I’ve just got out of the shower.
What is exciting you about creating rock music in 2026?
I have a lot of fans come up to me and they’re like, ‘Do you have any advice for me on how to get better at the guitar or bass or songwriting?’ It’s really exciting because I think the foundation of rock music is musicianship. For kids to get off their phones and get on an instrument [is great].
Fashion has been a huge part of your career. Is this something you envisioned when setting out?
No, not at all. I always thought that fashion was a huge part of who I was, but I didn’t think that it would be a part of my career. It is a huge part of my career now. I’m very humbled by it because I fell into it a little bit. I know that sounds kind of annoying because people really work for it. I didn’t set out to be the face of a major fashion house, but I am, and that’s cool. I’ve learned so much from Miu Miu about who I want to be. I’m really excited to do more because I feel like the more I learn from those spaces, the more it’ll reflect back on my music and my personality, and that bleeds into who I am on stage.
What’s next for you?
I’m really excited for my music to always be improving. I want to keep growing and become a better musician and artist. I’m excited that my music is trending in a way where every time I make something, it’s better than the last. I think that’s the correct direction to go. Obviously, ‘better’ is objective, but I feel better in myself. That means that I’m doing something.
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