INTERVIEW: Nick Pes explores queer desire through evocative synth-pop single Adonis

Australian singer, songwriter and producer Nick Pes returns with Adonis, a sweat-drenched anthem that explores the beauty and tension of queer longing. Earlier this year, Nick dropped Daddy - a cheeky, club-ready flirtation that fully embraced queer dominance, submission, and fantasy with a tongue firmly in cheek. With its bold repetition and commanding tone, it proved Nick isn't afraid to say exactly what he wants (or how he wants it).

Now, Adonis takes a more reverent turn, but it’s still unmistakably Nick: dreamy, sexy, and soaked in synth. Both tracks reflect an artist unafraid to put queer longing front and centre, not as subtext, but as the main event.

For those that don't know you yet, can you tell us a little about yourself and your music?

Hello! I’m Nick Pes, and I’ve been making music for a number of years. I’ve written about my breakups, falling in love, but lately I’ve been really focused on making fun, sexy music that is definitively queer. It’s always pop, but lately the music has been moving more into dance territory. I live in Sydney, Australia.

Has music always been the dream since you were a kid or did you find your way into singing and songwriting through other experiences?

Music has always been a part of my life-as a kid I was Spice Girls obsessed-I was in a few different bands with my sister in my teenage years and then shifted to writing stuff for myself. As I’ve honed my skills as a music producer, it’s become all about crafting the perfect song, and so I write, record, and produce all of my stuff these days.

Your new single, Adonis, is seriously spunky. (I attempted to use Aussie slang there that I learnt from Kath and Kim, hopefully I've used it in the right context but please do correct me if not). Can you share the story behind Adonis?

Thank you! Adonis sprung from a dance floor moment, see a beautiful guy dancing in front of me, and in the flashes of the strobe light he appeared like a marble statue-and I was thinking damn, how are you real? I had some of the lyric ideas saved in my phone and then after I wrote the main synth part it all just fell into place.

Do you have any lesser-known artists you’re obsessed with—someone totally unexpected that we'd never guess that you’re a fan of?

I’ve really been loving the disco vibes of Agnes lately, but some of my favourite music makers would be Bonobo, Bat for Lashes, and Robyn.

What’s your star sign and do you feel like it fits you? Soz I know some people hate astrology but I love asking this question.

I’m an Aries, and I think it kinda fits me, some of the time. But I have a bit of saying when it comes to astrology, and that is that people love horoscopes because they’re an excuse for bad behaviour, ha.

When it comes to dating, what are a few green flags that tell you someone’s a keeper?

What are their friends like? I wanna see some examples of healthy, positive relationships in their life. Good people are usually surrounded by good people.

What about red flags? What's your biggest ick?

Trust your gut, and answer the question, ‘how do they make you feel most of the time?’ Therapy for yourself is a good start if you find you’re ending up with the wrong person too many times.

If you could collab with any artist in the world, who would be your absolute number one dream collab?

I think I’d have to say Robyn.

What do you enjoy most about being a part of the LGBTQ+ community?

It forces you to experience the world as an outsider, and while this can be painful, it gives you the opportunity to question the societal norms that everyone else takes for granted.

Being gay or queer (I identify as both) I really believe is a gift.

You can then build a life that is fun, fulfilling and meaningful, surrounded by the most beautiful chosen family.

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A post shared by NICK PES (@nickpes)

Outside the studio, what brings you joy around Sydney? I’ve got Australia on my travel bucket list, I've just been trying to mentally prepare for that flight for 37 years now!

I love living in Sydney and if I’m not making music you can find me at the beach or by the pool in the summer time (Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool is a great place to visit). Every morning I’m at the gym, it’s my meditation. I also love to read, I just finished reading Stolen Focus by Johann Hari and I’m currently re-reading Jurassic Park.

Do you ever tune in to Married at First Sight Australia and have you checked out the UK version? Any plans to visit or perform in the UK sometime soon?

My mum and sister sometimes post about MAFS in the family group chat but I’ve not been able to sit through an episode - I don’t like the drama! Fingers crossed there’ll be a UK visit in 2026.

Adonis (and Daddy) are on all streaming platforms now.

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