PVRIS

With their fourth studio album Evergreen, PVRIS is finding their voice.  

Taking some time off between tours, Lyndsey Gunnulfsen is catching her breath. A few days before the Australian leg, I catch her in a quaint English pub. It’s the calm before the storm, a pit stop before the madness and stress of constantly being on the go. But she wouldn’t trade it in for anything else. PVRIS is finally finding its voice and its audience.

After going on tour with the iconic Fall Out Boy Gunnulfsen is grateful for the opportunity to stop and take stock of how far they’ve come. With the release of their fourth studio album, Evergreen, Gunnulfsen finds freedom in not taking herself too seriously. It’s a very fine balance between being the PVRIS that their audience knows and loves, to branching out and experimenting. It’s a worthwhile risk, and as they continue to evolve so does their fan base, quelling Gunnulfsen’s fear that this could all go away. 

Now, finding the traction that they’ve been looking for, PVRIS is creating a community of fans, a haven, for everyone to feel welcome. Co-headlining and touring with Poppy during the Godless/Goddess tour earlier this year, Gunnulfsen has seen with her own eyes the stark difference between headlining versus being a supporting act. The grind to get here is finally starting to give way to bigger and brighter things, the work is paying off. Their journey is coming to full fruition, and the new year can only bring in more good times and good vibes.

In conversation with 1883 Magazine’s Dana Reboe, Gunnulfsen discusses learning not to take herself too seriously, cultivating a community, her love of producing music and more.

Lynn! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us today, we really appreciate it. So, to jump right in, you’re fresh off the European tour! How are you feeling? 

I’m feeling good. I feel a little sad because I think this (the last tour) and the upcoming tour are the last things for a while. I always have this fear that nothing else is going to come like everything’s going to go downhill from here.

I don’t think that’s going to happen.

I hope not. It’s a crazy world right now. So, I’m just grateful for every day that we get to do what we do.

How are you spending your days off right now? What does the ideal day off look like when you’re not touring? 

I have a little affordable studio setup. I’ve just been writing and working on finishing a couple of songs for some other projects. Then, I am working on some new stuff that will be coming out soon. So, kind of work but also relaxing. I made sure to get out for a little while to get a drink somewhere.

It’s always five o’clock somewhere, right? Which might be true in your case? [laughter]

It’s 4:39 pm so, I think I’m due for one.

When you say ‘soon’ for new music, how soon is soon?

I can’t say just yet. 

That’s totally fair, I had to try at least once.

Very, very soon means very, very soon [laughs].

Circling back to the tour for a moment, what were some standout moments? Was there anything that resonated with you?

I would say playing London two nights at 02 was a big milestone. We were the supporting show for Fall Out Boy, so it wasn’t completely ours. We can’t take full credit, but it’s a milestone for a lot of artists, and a lot of people dream of playing it. It was a huge moment and I think getting up there, not being terrified, was a big thing because I think in the past, I would have probably had nerves or anxiety about it. And when we got up there, I felt very comfortable. It was nice to have some good friends there. They flew in from the States, which nobody’s ever done before! I was really grateful.

When you walked out onto the stage, what were your initial thoughts? Were you like: oh my god this is a lot of people?

Each night the venues seemed like they got bigger and it was a crazy and jarring thing to look at. But I definitely had that moment of: whoa. As soon as that happened, I started looking for my friends. 

You said in an interview with guitar.com that you’ve learned not to take yourself too seriously. When did that realization hit you? And how has it affected your music-making and you personally?  

I think it’s always been there. I think over the last few years, especially after the pandemic, everything became so, so, so, serious. I just couldn’t.

Evergreen has been out for a little while now, what has it been like for you and the band to see the audience reaction live and online? 

It’s been really cool. We just did a tour with Poppy and that was a cool moment, we felt really aligned with the audience. All of the newest songs were the loudest songs being sung. It felt so good. It was this amazing external confirmation that what we’re doing is working. It was really interesting to see the differences in the audience energy going from being a supporting act to being more of a headliner. It felt like a good representation of our community and who we want to be around. It was a nice confirmation of taking creative risks and seeing them work out. 

Are there any other bands you would like to collaborate with going forward? 

I would love to produce a track for Paramore. 

Oh, that would be amazing!

I don’t know if that’s in the cards.

We’re manifesting it! When you look back over your time as an artist, what is something you’ve learned about yourself along the way? And what advice would you give your younger self knowing everything you do now?

Oh, man. I think a big thing would be not to take myself too seriously. But it’s like a double-edged sword, right? Because if you take it seriously and put in a lot of effort, you put a lot of thought and care into it. But there’s a balance between that and not stressing yourself out too much. So, I’d say, learn to manage your anxiety and don’t stress.

I ask this of all musicians: how would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before? What’s the elevator pitch?

That’s a really good question! [Lynn thinks for a minute] An enigma of rock, electronic-pop? 

I will take that! [laughter] What are you most looking forward to in the new year? Both professionally and personally? 

I’m excited about new music coming out, so I will give you that [laughs]. I’m excited for new tours to be announced. And a little bit of time to rest in between. Can’t wait to get home and see my cats.

How long have you been away from them? 

It’s been a month now, and I have another month away, but time will fly! 

Where’s the next part of the tour taking place? Is it Australia? 

It’ll be some festivals. It’ll be the Good Things Festival and then two or three headline shows!

That’s amazing! What has been the highlight of your year so far?

I think Evergreen coming out and doing the tour with Poppy was very big. We felt aligned, positive, and a step in the right direction. Like everything is beginning to fall into place, it feels like a new chapter. On a personal note, I really just want to continue producing for more people. 

So, following up on that, how do you continue to challenge yourself creatively? 

Good question. I’m figuring that out right now. I feel a bit stumped on finding the words for what I’m feeling and what a lot of people are feeling right now. And finding the best way to talk about it, and express it through art. So, I’ve been reading a lot online, going to bookstores, spending time outside and just trying to find ways to articulate it the best I can. 

Lastly, looking to the future, what is something you’d like to manifest for yourself, for the band, and for the world? 

For the world? For men to stop killing people? And for men to get their egos in check and for women to take over and not do any of this fucked up shit [laughter] and everything will be great. I would love for PVRIS to continue to align with our listeners and facilitate a good community. As for me, I’d really love to be a producer and facilitate a good community of women to work with, creating a space and a safe hub for collaboration. 

Evergreen is out now.

Interview Dana Reboe
Photography Garry Jones
Styling Margherita Alaimo
Makeup & Hair Valentina Stuppia
Editor & Production Kelsey Barnes
Fashion Assistants Marilena Angelides & Maria Dolotina