Fresh off their performance on the Pavilion Stage at All Things Go D.C., The Aces radiate the same warmth offstage that they do under the festival lights. The Utah-born quartet has come a long way from suburban jam sessions to headlining stages around the world, yet their connection to places like D.C. still feels really personal.
Formed in Utah in 2008 by sisters Cristal and Alisa Ramirez, along with their childhood friends McKenna Petty and Katie Henderson, The Aces began as garage jam sessions among kids who shared a love for music. They gradually evolved into a tight-knit band with an even tighter sound.
“We played All Things Go a few years ago, so this was our second time here,” the band shares, still smiling from their performance. “It was amazing. D.C. is one of our absolute favorite places to play. It really feels like a hometown show for us – kind of like New York – because the fans here are so passionate and sweet. They’ve always been that way since the very beginning.”
The band is also excited about their upcoming show at the 9:30 Club. “It’s such a fantastic venue; the cupcakes in the green room are iconic,” they laugh. “We just love D.C. so much.” And their love for music extends beyond just one city. “We’re so lucky,” they say when asked about their global following. “We feel fortunate for the support we’ve had all over the world.”
When discussing career milestones, their eyes light up. “Playing at London’s O2 Arena was a huge moment for us,” they recall. “We were opening for The Vamps, and walking through those halls – seeing all the artists who’ve performed there – was surreal. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we’re just suburban girls from Utah who grew up nowhere near this world, and now we’re sharing stages with massive artists we looked up to.” They also remember other full-circle moments. “Headlining The Wiltern was really special,” they say. “We’ve seen so many of our favorite artists there, so standing on that stage ourselves was unreal.” That sense of perspective is something The Aces carry into their newest era.
Since releasing their breakout single “Stuck” in 2016, the band has grown from local favorites into global pop icons. Their evolution has reflected their personal journeys as well, as they’ve spoken openly about exploring queerness, identity, and joy in contrast to their conservative upbringing. Now, The Aces are entering a new chapter with their latest album, Gold Star Baby – a shimmering, self-assured celebration of queer joy and disco-pop escapism.
The album marks a turning point for the band, both creatively and personally. “We were really inspired by disco,” they explain. “Not just by one artist, but the entire era – the energy, the sound. We wanted to create something modern, like modern disco, but still sound like our band.”
They also infused more of their cultural roots into their music. “We incorporated Latin rhythms on songs like ‘She Likes Me’ and ‘Gold Star Baby,’ and we sing in Spanish on ‘Twin Flame.’ Two of us are half Honduran, so bringing more of that into our sound felt natural. You can expect more of that from us in the future.”
The Aces’ Gold Star Baby World Tour – which will take them across North America this fall before heading to the UK and Europe in 2026 – is shaping up to be just as bold and joyful as the album itself. The tour promises to celebrate everything Gold Star Baby stands for: confidence, freedom, and connection. As they prepare for the road ahead, the conversation shifts to their setlists. “We’re really excited to play ‘She Likes Me,’” they say immediately. “‘Stroke’ and ‘Twin Flame’ are super fun live too, and ‘Jealous’ always gets the crowd going. ‘Fire in the Hole’ has become a surprise favorite. It’s the one where we really feel the energy from the audience.”
Despite the on-stage excitement, life on the road isn’t all adrenaline. “Touring is amazing, but it’s easy to lose your sense of self,” they admit. “We try to find even an hour to be alone – to journal, meditate, or just sit quietly. When you’re on tour, you’re never alone. You’re sleeping next to each other, eating together, working together. That alone time keeps you sane. And calling friends or family who aren’t on tour helps you stay grounded too.”
They laugh as they continue to talk about their tour bus habits. “Making your bunk cozy is key. Bring your own blanket and pillow – make it feel like your own little space. And honestly, the best thing you can do is lean into the weirdness. Tour life isn’t normal, and trying to make it normal just makes it harder. Once you accept that it’s weird, it actually gets a lot more fun.”
The creative process behind Gold Star Baby was just as close-knit. “This record was the most collaborative we’ve ever made. It was just the four of us in a room – no outside producers, no other songwriters. Katie produced half of it, and we built the songs from scratch together.” They laugh as they recall how “Fire in the Hole” almost didn’t happen. “We’d been stuck for hours with nothing coming together, and then suddenly we started playing around, and that song came out of nowhere. At first, we thought it wasn’t even that good, but now it’s one of the most streamed tracks from the record. It’s wild!”
Unlike some artists who might share pieces of songs remotely, The Aces thrive on being together, which they highlight as an essential part of their process. “We could never just send files back and forth. Our songs come from energy and conversation. We grew up jamming together before we ever learned to record anything. We’ll literally sit and talk for hours before we start making music. Every session has to be a hang… it’s all about the vibes first.” When asked which track best represents who they are, they answer without hesitation: “‘Twin Flame.’ It’s the perfect Aces song. Or, if you want a throwback, ‘Volcanic Love.’”
The mood lightens as the questions turn more playful. When asked who’s the first one on the dance floor, they laugh. “Probably Katie or McKenna. But honestly, we all go crazy on the dance floor.” Who’s most likely to sing the wrong lyrics with full confidence? The answer is unanimous. “Definitely Cristal. She’ll make up entire verses and keep going like nothing happened. Karaoke with her is chaos – but in the best way!”
As for tour bus staples, the band tries to balance health with indulgence. “We always have green juice – celery juice and stuff like that,” they say. “We try to keep it healthy, even though we love candy. But every Friday, no matter where we are in the world, we get donuts. It’s our ritual: half vegan, half regular, from whatever the best local shop is in town.”
When the topic shifts to what they’ve been listening to lately, they exchange recommendations. “The new Rauw Alejandro album – it’s awesome,” one of them says. “Honestly, Gold Star Baby, too. We’ve been listening to ourselves a lot lately.” They laugh but admit, “Sometimes you have to stay in your own world, especially when you’re gearing up for tour.” A few more suggestions are then shared. “We love Little Dragon and Debbie Dawson – she’s amazing. Everyone’s listening to something different, and that’s what makes it fun.”
It’s easy to see why The Aces have built such a loyal following. They’re confident without being egotistical and always ready to dance, even if they do sometimes make up the lyrics. From their early days playing covers in high school to releasing introspective, identity-driven albums that honor both their roots and growth, The Aces continue to carve out a musical space entirely their own. Whether it’s green juice in the morning, disco at night, or donut Fridays on the road, they’re just doing what they do best: having fun, staying true to themselves, and making people move and groove – one Gold Star Baby night at a time.
Portraits and interview by Sarah Peter
Festival photos courtesy of Respective Collective/Faith Nguyen
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