'All That Glitters', written by Karise alongside Andrew Lowden, is a deeply personal anthem, shaped by hard lessons and lived experience. Lyrically, the track explores survival, resilience, and the difficult road to forgiveness after life's darkest chapters.

For Greg, 'All That Glitters' is a flashback to the early years of navigating the music industry as a gay artist. And, in the accompanying music video, Greg was able to lay bare these real-life experiences and this trauma. . . Breaking through a graffitied closet with taunts he's heard through his career like 'too gay', 'coming out', and 'career suicide'.

The track is the lead single from Greg's upcoming deluxe album 'Strings Attached'.

Here, we catch up with Greg to talk about the messaging behind 'All That Glitters' and its video, as well as any advice he has for young queer kids hoping to make it in the industry.

Firstly, tell us a bit about this song and the inspiration behind it.
'All That Glitters' was written by Karise and it came from a very real place. It’s a story about protecting yourself, the people you love and confronting the illusion that fame and success are worth the cost.

How did you and Karise come together for it – how was the song born?
Karise sent me the demo of the track to me when we were on tour together last year. When I first heard it, it hit me straight away. It felt honest. It felt lived-in and like the lyrics were part of my story too and I thought – there’s real power in that because I’m sure lots of other people will feel the same when they hear it too. We’ve both lived through things and it felt healing to get this out there.

What was it like to record your part of the song?
It was emotional. I just tried to stay honest with it. Sometimes those are the most special vocals to track because you’re not trying to be perfect – you’re just trying to be truthful.

How about working with Karise – tell us about the joint creative process.
There’s a lot of respect there. We didn’t need to over-direct each other. It was more about listening and responding. We both knew what the song needed, and we gave each other space to bring our own truth into it. That’s what makes it feel so cohesive.

And how does it feel to have something as honest as this out in the world?
It’s vulnerable. You don’t really get to hide behind anything with a song like this. But at the same time, that’s the point. If it connects with even one person who feels seen in it, then it’s done its job.

This song represents different things for both you and Karise. Tell us a bit about what you drew from for your part.
It revisits my early experiences navigating the industry – and the moments where my sexuality was treated as more important than my talent. This story takes me back to being a young artist finding my way. To my teenage audition on 'Australian Idol', where I was told minutes before stepping on stage not to be “too gay”. Then walking in and being questioned more about who I was than what I could do. I remember a camera being pushed into my mum’s face and her being asked, “How does it feel your son has come out on national television?”

The video draws from/represents real moments in each of your lives as well. What was it like to put the visual together?
It was intense. We weren’t just acting – we were tapping into real memories, real emotions. Chris Sun created a space where we could go there safely, but it still takes something out of you. I think that’s why the video feels the way it does – because it’s representing real life experiences.

How are you hoping listeners/viewers feel when hearing the song and watching the video?
I want people to feel less alone in whatever they’re going through. Whether it’s heartbreak, loss, or just that moment of waking up to the truth. And hopefully, they walk away feeling a little stronger – like they can face it.

Lastly. . . What advice would you give a queer kid hoping to make it big as a singer, perhaps by auditioning for something like ‘Australian Idol’?
Be yourself. Don’t try to fit into what you think people want. The thing that will actually cut through is the truth of who you are. And also – this industry will test you. A lot. So build something that’s yours. Your voice, your story, your community. That’s what lasts.

'All That Glitters' is out now. Greg Gould's deluxe album 'Strings Attached' is released 10 April.