Meet Arlo Parks, The Indie Musician And Fashion Icon Taking Over The Internet
The 23-year-old has quickly made a name for herself as a singer-songwriter with her distinct, melodic voice and singular sense of style.
If Arlo Parks' catchy, rhythmic alternative pop tunes haven't quite hit your Tiktok For You Page or your Spotify feed yet, it's truly only a matter of time. The ultra-cool young singer has made waves in the industry with hit songs like "Black Dog," "Hope," and "Pegasus" and shows no sign of slowing her artistic groove anytime soon. From appearances on hit late-night shows, prime gigs at mainstream music festivals, and collaborations with major indie and alternative names, she's already hit it big at just 23.
In an era where pop music truly seems to be shining—think of major stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan—Arlo Parks stands out as unique, unapologetic, and undeniably charismatic. Witty, relatable, and in possession of a sense of quintessential English charm—she was born and raised in London—her on-stage presence not only draws in fans with her melodic hits, it also speaks to crowds through humor, earnestness, and a profound well of emotion.
At 23, she's emerged as a major force in the industry—her 2022 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist speaks for itself—but three years ago, after the release of her first album Collapsed In Sunbeams, she had already exploded onto the scene as an up-and-coming indie darling to watch. Although her music offered plenty of allure and It-factor on its own, Parks slowly but surely crafted her fan base by snagging key collaborations and opening opportunities for other major alternative artists, many of whom are now close friends of Parks'.
As a Black queer woman outspoken about issues and topics in both communities—and the spaces where they intersect—Parks is also a welcome presence in the alternative/indie music community, where in just a short time, she has already created a strong sense of change. Parks is also notably candid about mental health issues facing young people and through her music and her own personal ventures, and has created safe spaces within her space for fans to feel a sense of community and support.
In the early spring of 2022, Arlo Parks hit the road as an opening act for Clairo and her relaxed, romantic Sling album tour. By now, Clairo has basically become a household name—you may remember her from her days as an early presence in the bedroom pop scene, with hits like "Pretty Girl" and "Flaming Hot Cheetos"—and undeniable alternative/indie pop royalty, and two years ago, the same was still true. As an opening act for Clairo, Arlo Parks reached new fans bound to be interested in her music thanks to her artistic lyricism, upbeat rhythms, and similar humble on-stage energy. While Parks' success is no doubt her own, strategic moves like this one made a major impact in expanding her influence among new audiences.
In late 2022, Parks opened for yet another alternative pop queen—Florence Welch, of Florence and the Machine. In an Instagram post commemorating the achievement, Parks wrote "I have raged to "Dog Days" since I was actually 10 years old so this was big... onwards onwards," highlighting the gravity of the show for her.
In early 2023, Parks released the latest hit track to join her discography, "Pegasus," which was a collaborative effort between her and Phoebe Bridgers. Although many new fans of both musicians were overjoyed to see a crossover of legendary proportion between indie musicians, the two actually collaborated three years prior on a BBC Radio 1 set, where they performed Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees" and several of Bridgers' tracks from her album, Punisher.
Through her androgynous and masculine-leaning style, the singer has emerged as a sartorial icon set apart from other young alternative/indie musicians by way of her distinct, unique, utterly honest sense of style. In each and every appearance on stage, Parks showcases her style for what it is—unapologetic, contemporary, and undeniably chic.
Whether it's her collection of long-line, skater-style cargo shorts, a seemingly endless wardrobe of preppy-gone-edgy rugby shirts, or penchant for perfectly tailored suits that has earned her invites to many of the most high-profile runway shows of the year, it's difficult to say, but the musician showed up in style at the doors of countless shows during the most recent Paris Men's Fashion Week and Paris Couture Week, and is slowly but surely becoming a frequent face at some of fashion's biggest parties of the year.
As a musician and public figure vocal about her sexuality and gender orientation, Parks is often applauded by her fans for her sense of transparency and unapologetic approach to living her life. In 2021, fans rejoiced when they learned that two alternative musicians beloved by the Internet—Parks and Ashnikko—began a relationship.
