Ladies and gentleman, theys and thems, welcome to the Brighton & Hove residents' community corner series celebrating our city’s bold drag artists, boundary breaking performers and a new category unlocked for 2026: Brighton & Hove based queer/LGBTQ+ owned businesses.
In 2025 I decided that I wanted to create a series that goes beyond the glam with our legendary, local queer performers (and now queer owned businesses too) so we can all get to know them more because like Lady Gaga said on ARTPOP, "Do you wanna see the girl who lives behind the aura?" so erm, why not?!
If you’re looking to put your hard earned money where your queer mouth is then I think supporting queer/LGBTQ+ owned businesses is a statement of solidarity. These businesses often operate at the intersection of creativity, resilience and community, bringing fresh perspectives while navigating unique challenges. Their success strengthens our community economically and helps pave the way for future queer entrepreneurs.
This week though, we’re joined by SAFIRE.
If you haven’t clocked SAFIRE yet, consider this your official introduction. The Irish/UK artist and songwriter, now based in Brighton via Hackney is building a bold sonic universe where avant pop meets full throttle club energy. Think drum & bass and hardcore punk colliding with strings, cello and a touch of Gregorian chant. Sounds wild I know but you'll love it.
She’s just dropped her brand new single EXXXTASY and it’s already doing exactly what it says on the tin: turning the dancefloor into a full on main character moment. At a recent Club Revenge performance, the crowd was already belting out the lyrics before the track had even been released. Surely this is enough proof that SAFIRE’s connection with her audience is only getting stronger, right?!
This release follows her steady rise as an independent artist with previous track Digital Freak gaining early momentum and ongoing support from BBC Introducing. Oh and did I mention she’s also a former Eurovision shortlist contender with a reputation for seriously high energy live shows?! Basically, SAFIRE is one to watch and before she gets too famous I caught up with her yesterday on EXXXTASY release day for a yap so let’s dive in....head first!
DALEYPOP: Oh hey Saf! How are you and what's your day looked like so far?!
SAFIRE: Hey Dale, I’m on my way to London to see my producer to work on a track today. The sun is out and being in the studio creating music is one of my favourite things to do so I’m happy!
DALEYPOP: For our readers who might not have discovered you or your music yet, please can you introduce us to yourself and what kind of music you make?
SAFIRE: I’m an independent solo artist and writer. I make music as a form of escapism and emotional release. I’m basically creating high energy avant pop club music at the moment and building in elements that you might not typically hear in that space like violin and cello. I love pop, hardcore punk, metal and drum and bass so you can expect fast paced music from me always with huge subs and fat bass lines. I’ve dabbled in pop, metal and drum and bass in the past and now I’m trying to figure out how all of my musical loves can exist in the same song. At the moment I’m building a sonic world from all of my favourite things to work with.
I studied classical music and history and it’s a bit nerdy, but I love Gregorian chant and Phrygian mode.
It just sounds so mysterious. I tend to write a lot in that space.
DALEYPOP: Your new single EXXXTASY which is finally out today woo, is all about confidence and manifestation, right?! What’s one affirmation from the track you actually catch yourself saying in real life?
SAFIRE: Honestly, none of them! That’s why I wrote this song because I feel like whenever I sing it I actually am manifesting energy that I want to call into my life. I love the idea that when people sing this song that they are subconsciously or consciously manifesting beautiful things into their life which is just another layer of lyric writing and spirituality that I put into my songs.
@safireisking Repeat after me 💋 #manifestation #clubmusic #newmusic #independentartist #irish ♬ original sound - SAFIRE
DALEYPOP: Well the lyrics are giving full main character energy....do you imagine people strutting down the street like it’s a runway when they’re listening?
SAFIRE: Yessss! 100%! I love the idea of someone working out to this or just going about their daily business and feeling hot as fuck!
I love how music has the power to elevate your whole mood or transport you to another place entirely and I love making music that does that for me and sharing it.
DALEYPOP: You recently performed EXXXTASY at Club Revenge and I'm keen to hear what was going through your mind hearing people sing the lyrics back before the track was even released?! Wild.
SAFIRE: It’s a mad thing seeing how memorable the lyrics are for people but what I love is the smiles they had on their faces whilst they were singling them. That’s such a sick experience!
DALEYPOP: EXXXTASY marks your third independent single since you stepped back from releasing music for a year and a half. How come you stepped away for so long and how are you finding being an independent artist?
SAFIRE: Honestly, I was homeless for almost 2 years. I couldn’t afford to make music. I got sick with long COVID and was in and out of hospital for 6 months and lost all of my income and my home over a period of time and got into so much debt. Studio time and production of tracks costs a lot of money and so does the visuals that help get the songs out there. I was paying for everything with my day job and I just couldn’t manage it anymore.
DALEYPOP: I still loveee Bad Reputation which I think I've said to you before, gives me Slayyyter vibes. Who are your inspirations in music, past or present?
SAFIRE: Firstly! Thank you! Oh man, there’s so many so I’ll do my best to limit this! Currently I’m loving Slayyyter's new album, Pink Pantheress, COBRAH, DJ_Dave, Namasenda, Lolo Zouai, Fcukers and Starjunk 95. Past influences are always reappearing in my work whether in the production, vocal deliveries, song writing etc and those are Michael Jackson, Madonna, Alexisonfire, Tool, Deftones, The Hope Conspiracy, American Nightmare, Incubus, Aaliyah, Mariah Carey, N.E.R.D and Britney Spears.
DALEYPOP: Was it intentional to create this project with a a queer, trans, non-binary and female led team and how did that shape both the sound and visuals?
SAFIRE: Yeahh! That’s my family right there.
I love women and think they are incredible and have to deal with so much and so are trans, queer and non binary people.
I grew up really poor and in the care system and was bullied in my home and at school. Kids used to wait for me and throw rocks at me and spit on me because I was poor and my mum took drugs and everyone knew it in our area. I feel a real affinity to anyone that’s had to struggle just to exist or just be themselves and that’s why I try and hire under represented minorities within my professional world. I also just feel like I can be more creative and expressive around them because it feels like a safe space.
DALEYPOP: Oh wow, thank you for sharing this with with us, it really does put everything you’re building into perspective. No one should have to go through any of that, especially growing up but it’s inspirational how you’ve turned those experiences into something that drives your work and your values today! Clearly you loveee fashion, you always look so cool so how important is fashion in telling your story as an artist and who are your favourite designers?
SAFIRE: I was always feel like the least fashionable person! One of my favourite designers right now is Janine Grosche. They make transparent latex pieces that emulate snakeskin in neutral tones and I’m fucking OBSESSED! Ilias at Ilias Little Shoe Box makes incredible fetish inspired footwear and I love Busted Brand and R & M LEATHERS.
DALEYPOP: Can you give us a little exclusive tease….maybe something about a BBC Live Lounge session in October ahead of a Halloween release?👀
SAFIRE: Yassssss! I’m going to be in the Live Lounge in October playing my latest releases and some upcoming tracks. I’ve been working with a violinist for this performance which is a really exciting space to be moving into!
DALEYPOP: Do you have upcoming shows that we should know about?
SAFIRE: At the moment I only have my BBC live Lounge booked in but I am in discussions with other artist management and I’m definitely looking to play live more!
DALEYPOP: Between performances and rising streams....how are you balancing pop star chaos with real world impact?
SAFIRE: I’m not massively focused on numbers and metrics at the moment. I’m really interested in making great art and connecting with people on a human level as much as possible. I’m honestly always just focused on the next thing and because I’m independently managing everything myself I feel like I just exist in a bubble where I’m just working all the time to move things forward and to become more creative and put out better art.
DALEYPOP: What does Pride personally mean to you?
SAFIRE: A friend of mine is a trans artist from Brighton and she was telling me about her experiences of going to the toilet and how people look at her when she goes in the men’s or women’s toilets and sometimes she just doesn’t know which one to go in to. Listening to her talk about that brought tears to my eyes. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable that must feel when you just need to go to the toilet which is a basic human right!
I think that Pride demonstrates to me how just much further we have to go.
When you hear about peoples every day lived experiences, it just makes you really aware of how much more needs to be done so that people can exist freely and safely.
DALEYPOP: Where’s your favourite place to grab a bite in Brighton right now, any go to spots you’re loving lately?
SAFIRE: I love Flint House (in the lanes) which made the best roasts ever and there’s an incredible place on Trafalgar Street called O’Shio! Riddle and Fins have incredible fish dishes and their service is amazing!
DALEYPOP: Ok last question I promise, it's a big one....who’s your crush of the day?
SAFIRE: I’m gonna say Ryan Gosling (with his top off) in the movie Drive....
Scene was founded in Brighton in 1993, at a time when news stories about Pride protests were considered radical.
Since then, Scene has remained proudly independent, building a platform for queer voices. Every subscription helps us to report on the stories that matter to LGBTQ+ people across the UK and beyond.
Your support funds our journalists and contributes to Pride Community Foundation’s grant-making and policy work.
Member discussion