2020 saw Pixey – writer, performer, producer and multi-instrumentalist – burst into the spotlight after years of bubbling below the surface of the Merseyside scene. Having signed to the legendary Chess Club Records early this year, the alt-pop starlet has presented our tired ears with some glistening, uplifting pop gems and nestled herself nicely amongst the likes of Phoebe Green and Baby Queen in doing so.
What was your highlight of 2020, musical or otherwise?
My highlight of 2020 was definitely getting signed to Chess Club. Bizarrely this year has been the best year I’ve had in a while.
Can you tell us your plans for 2021?
My plans for 2021 are to definitely keep writing music & push the boundaries of my production. I want to reach so many more people as I feel I have so much more to give yet. Also hopefully to play my next EP live to a real audience of people!
What’s the best advice you’ve received as a musician?
Never give time to people who make you feel incapable or inadequate.
Which artists are on your ‘Ones To Watch’ list for 2021?
Noisey, Arlo Parks, Coach Party, Courting, Nilufer Yanya.
Your sound blends lots of different grooves and instruments, which I understand you fit together yourself on your laptop. Where do you find it easiest to begin with composition, do you find it varies or is there a starting point you often return to?
Often it varies, but I usually start with a riff, melody or motif and keep building if from there. Often I’ll finish the entire instrumental sections of the song and then write the melody and lyrics.
Your song ‘Young’, from debut EP Colours, gained you a lot of well-earned attention from the likes of the BBC – how did it feel to hear your song played on the radio for the first time? What does that song represent for you?
Absolutely surreal! I remember first getting the email that I was being featured as BBC Introducing artist of the week only a few weeks into starting out writing and recording – and I was just freaking out. That song represents the very start of my songwriting and I always keep it close to my heart.
I understand you spoke to the BBC for a documentary they broadcast called ‘Just a Girl: Investigating the Under-Representation of Women In the Music Industry’ – how did it feel to be given such a platform to discuss your views on such an important issue? What do you think we could do better to minimise gender inequality in the music industry?
Although it felt like an honour to feel heard, I can’t help but think it’s frustrating that it is necessary for these kind of programs to exist in 2020 and that there is still a huge gender imbalance in parts of the industry. Waking up and recognizing the problem is a start, but there is a huge amount of change necessary from the top down, pressuring more powerful people in the industry to set better standards and taking gender inequality way more seriously.
Listen to Pixey on Spotify and Apple Music.
