Next Wave #651: Pixx

Folk melodies delivered in a dream-like haze...

Suburbia is a strange hinterland, a blank space between the bright lights of the city and the pastoral climes of the countryside. It's a curious environment, an empty canvas stuck between two vivid and well-worn portraits.

Pixx (real name Hannah Rodgers) came of age in suburbia – Chipstead, to be exact – and turned to music at a young age. “My dad plays guitar and sings, he's always been writing songs since I was little so I just picked it up off him,” she explains. “I used to sing with him when he played, and then eventually I thought maybe I should give it a shot.”

A natural, she quickly began drawing together both music and poetry. Choosing the name Pixx in honour of her grandmother, the pieces seemed to fall into place with remarkable ease. “I think lyrics are a key thing for me. Any song I listen to, if it captures my attention I immediately want to write down the lyrics and try to learn from them. I find it interesting how different people phrase their lyrics.”

Debut EP 'Fall In' is a beautiful, highly evocative piece of work – four songs of exquisite imagination, the dream-like atmosphere flits between acoustic guitar and electronic textures, all held together by that youthful, lilting voice. “I usually write all on acoustic guitar and then once I've written the song I go and plug in with my electric and put some effects on it and try to find the right sound. It sort of all stems from folk music, really, everything that I write. I'm very into Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Anne Briggs – people like that.”

Pixx is clearly eager to surge forward, and has already begun plotting her next step. Stockpiling material, the singer is simply desperate to get back into the studio. “I guess all of these songs I've written probably within the past year,” she says. “They've all originated from my bedroom and then have progressed into this sound. I've got a massive backlog of songs, so when I go into the studio it's great to get all the ideas I've had into a sound and mould it into what I want it to be.”

Recent shows have been packed with promise, as the 19-year-old artist finds her feet in a live setting. Although the nerves remain, Pixx is clearly an artist brimming with promise, who has set her sights high and won't stop until she reaches them. “I think we're starting to get our live show sounding pretty good,” she bashfully admits. “It gives me a chance to be more of a performer and have a little dance onstage.”

WHAT: Folk melodies delivered in a dream-like haze
WHERE: Chipstead

GET 3 SONGS: Fall In, Flee, Deplore

– – –

Buy Clash Magazine

-
Join the Clash mailing list for up to the minute music, fashion and film news.