In Conversation with Déyyess at Reading Festival.

Déyyess has taken 2025 by storm with the release of her debut EP, ‘Claire’, with the title track having over one million streams on Spotify. Her songs explore themes of identity, heartbreak and complex relationships, all wrapped in a dreamy, introspective, indie-pop sound. She has captured the hearts of her devoted fanbase, building an online community who find comfort and empowerment in her music which follows her experiences as a queer woman . Déyyess has no doubt had a successful year, having been on the lineup for Olivia Rodrigo’s sold-out Hyde Park show and now touring with Alessi Rose around Europe and the UK. Back in August, before a memorable Reading Festival debut on the BBC Introducing Stage, we had a quick chat with her about the year so far, touring and her favourite Lady Gaga look.

Emma: So, you’re Déyyess, but your name is Hannah – is that a stage name?

Déyyess: Deyyess is my stage name, yeah. It means ‘goddess’ in French. My family loves France so it’s been a big part of my life. We go to the south of France every year. We used to go to a campsite every year, just like a really family-friendly site in a motorhome. 

Emma: How would you describe your music in three words to new listeners? 

Déyyess: I’d say it’s very sparkly, very nostalgic and, uh, wallower. 

Emma: A fair bit of yearning then – are you a Pisces?

Déyyess: Ugh, I wish I was a pisces! I’m an Aquarius. I quite like my January birthday, though. I just like snow, so sometimes I’d go away for my birthday and it would always be snowing. I just love the winter.

Emma: For new listeners, what song of yours would you recommend they listen to first? 

Déyyess: ‘Claire’, for sure. It opens the world up, I think, perfectly. It’s just the perfect yearning song. Sparkly, nostalgic, sad, very gay. Pining over girls.

Emma: You recently performed at BST Hyde Park for Olivia Rodrigo’s sold-out headline show. How was that for you?

Déyyess: It was honestly crazy. When I got told I was doing it, because I’m quite good friends with my promoter, she was like “I’m gonna tell you something but it’s not confirmed, but I think I’m getting you this.” Then when she texted me and said it was confirmed I was so excited! I screamed with all my flatmates, because I live with Charlie and Meg who are in my band. I was like “we’re playing Hyde Park!!!!”

Emma: I bet it’s so nice to tour with people you’re such good friends with because you already know all their annoying habits. 

Déyyess: It is, and it’s really funny because I have the Alessi Rose tour coming up at the end of the month, and uh, we were laughing about it because obviously Charlie and Meg are coming with me, we were saying that, usually when you go on tour, you’re like “awh guys, see you soon, gonna miss you” but all of us are just gonna be coming back [from a show] and being like “what shall we have for dinner!?” No one’s allowed to move out now, haha.

Emma: You’ve mentioned your upcoming tour with Alessi Rose. What venue are you most excited to play? 

Déyyess: It has to be O2 Kentish Forum! 

Emma: You’ve got a French stage name already, are you excited for your Paris show? 

Déyyess: Yeah, I was gonna say, Paris! I’m really looking forward to it. It’s weird though because it’s the end European date. I’m really looking forward to Paris, but then again I’m not because it’ll be the last show. 

Emma: If you had a Deyyess dinner party, who are you inviting and why? And what are you feeding them?

Déyyess: I’m inviting Lady Gaga. I absolutely love her, she’s an incredible woman. She’s just so pivotal in my career and the way I’ve been so dedicated to it and just my determination, especially when I was younger. She’s amazing! The way she’s navigated the music industry is just insane, so admirable. Also, she’s got a big queer community. Growing up, it was a big sense of safety for me, finding that. 

But, god, what would I make her for dinner!? I’m tryna think of something really boujee, and I don't know if she eats meat or not… I don’t know what I would feed her, maybe something tiny and Michelin Star. Maybe that’s a bit generic, maybe I should be like here’s a healthy, English meal, here's a stew… I think I’d give her stew? 

Emma: To end on a high, what’s your favourite Lady Gaga look? Something you’d wear onstage on your upcoming tour… 

Déyyess: Oh my god!

Emma: Are you wearing the meat dress?

Déyyess: Noo, not the meat dress. I think I would wear, there was an outfit she wore – god I have so many in my head – but there was one at the Brit awards, I’m pretty sure, and it was like a huge, white, lace head piece and she had on this lace leotard. It was really cool, I would wear that if I could. 

Emma: That does give nostalgic and wallowing to be fair. Like a sad bride.

Déyyess: Exactly!