Following a flurry of bright and enigmatic singles over the last year, Leeds-based artist Pixia is back to her glittering best as she drops the sensational new single 'Prince Paradox'.
Channelling a wonderfully fresh and euphoric alt-pop direction from start to finish, 'Prince Paradox' makes for a brilliantly uplifting listen. With her now shimmering voice riding a wave of sweet and sweeping production throughout, she is certainly onto something very special with this one.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The guitar definitely! Although I played the violin when I was younger, the guitar was the first instrument I really connected with, especially as I wrote and performed my very first original songs on acoustic guitar.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was a child I actually loved the 80s music that my parents listened to. I absolutely loved The Cure as my Dad always played their ‘Greatest Hits’ in the car. I knew all of the words to ‘Lovecats’ and ‘Just Like Heaven’! I also absolutely loved ABBA and would spend hours dancing with my best friend to their songs. We used to go to dance classes together but we’d spend most of the time beforehand and during breaks practising the same routine to ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme!’!
What was the first album you remember owning?
Following on from that last question it has to be Abba Gold - The Anniversary Edition. I know it was the special edition because of the track ‘Angeleyes’ - that song reminds me so much of my childhood.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There’s so many, that's such a difficult question! Probably something timeless, like Joy Division’s ‘Love will Tear Us Apart’. It’s the kind of song you can listen to night or day, happy or sad and the instrumental never fails to amaze me. I think I’m better at words than melodies, so I can definitely learn a lot from classic tracks such as that one which are known for their unique sound rather than for the words.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I have to generally close myself off from the world when writing new music. Although I curate little notes and ideas for lyrics all of the time, when it comes down to seriously putting words to music I need to be alone with a pot of black coffee, my laptop/guitar and microphone only! I often find that I create better at night too. I guess there’s some extra magical quality about music at night.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Well I have my favourite artists who I’ll listen to literally all of the time and I never get bored- David Bowie, The Cure, Depeche Mode- lots of 80s stuff! I also absolutely adore Lana Del Rey, she’s sort of like a religion to me at this point. I could literally listen to any one of her albums on repeat.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
It would absolutely be Lana!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
There's two parts to being a musician which shape my entire world. The first is the feeling of listening back to something you created and thinking - ‘Wow this is something really beautiful, and I did that,’ you know? The second is my audience and getting to meet and interact with others through my music. Also, when people tell me they’ve felt a genuine connection to my music or when they reach out to tell me about their emotional response or interpretation to what I’ve written…that’s just amazing.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part is getting people to take you seriously in the beginning. You know, the classic ‘why don’t you find a proper job!’ kind of response! There’s definitely still a huge amount of scepticism surrounding creative careers and it’s devastating to think that this could discourage others from pursuing their dreams, or what makes them happy.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The best advice is probably something my manager said to me the other week. She said that if I am passionate about something, and can envision a clear path of my hopes and dreams coming to fruition, then there’s no reason at all why it can’t. You’ve got to put the positive and creative energy out there, and let it surround you in everything you do. I truly do believe the universe takes care of the rest!
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Pixia's new single 'Prince Paradox' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.