Pixey

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Pixey
Pixey performing at Dreamland Margate in 2022
Background information
Birth nameElizabeth Sinead Hillesdon
Born (1995-03-12) 12 March 1995 (age 29)
Ormskirk, West Lancashire, England
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • bass guitar
  • synthesiser
  • drums
Years active2016–present
Labels
  • Chess Club
Websitewww.pixeymusic.bandcamp.com

Elizabeth Sinead Hillesdon (born 12 March 1995), known professionally as Pixey, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. She began recording and releasing demos in 2016, and made her professional debut in 2020.[1]

Early life[edit]

Elizabeth Sinead Hillesdon was born on 12 March 1995 in Ormskirk, West Lancashire and grew up in Parbold, attending school in Liverpool.[2] Although surrounded by the music of Kate Bush and Björk growing up, Pixey did not begin to play music herself until recovering from a life-threatening viral infection at the age of twenty.[3] Then, teaching herself guitar and learning how to produce using Ableton Live, she began making music with a DIY approach inspired by that of Mac DeMarco.[2]

Career[edit]

Pixey self-released "Hometown" and "Young" to Spotify in 2016, and the latter won attention from BBC Radio 1 and received regular airplay.[4] She recruited musicians from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and performed regularly at local Liverpool venues such as the Jacaranda.[5] After a brief tenure with Liverpool-based independent label Modern Sky, Pixey self-released her debut EP Colours in 2019, which featured "Young" and a re-recorded version of "Hometown".[6]

During the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, Pixey signed to London-based independent record label Chess Club, and released her professional debut single "Just Move".[7] This was followed by two further singles, "Free to Live in Colour" and "Electric Dream", which both received widespread radio and press attention.[8]

Pixey was included in the 2021 NME 100, a list of "essential emerging artists for 2021".[9]

Following the release of the three singles, Pixey's Chess Club debut EP Free to Live in Colour was released on 23 March 2021.[10] Shortly after, she announced a second EP, Sunshine State, co-produced by Pete Robertson of the Vaccines. Released on 29 October 2021, it was promoted by three singles: "Sunshine State", "Life in Stereo", and "Take Me On".[11] In December 2021, she released the documentary Pixey - In a Sunshine State to YouTube. Directed by Marieke Macklon, it documented the making of the Sunshine State EP and featured performance footage of Pixey and her live band.[12]

In March 2022, Pixey embarked on a tour of the UK supporting labelmate Alfie Templeman.[13] This was followed by a sold-out headline show at The Windmill, Brixton. Throughout the year she performed at festivals such as Tramlines, Y Not, LIMF, and Truck,[14] and supported DMA's, Tom Grennan, the Libertines, and Miles Kane.[15]

In June 2022, Pixey released "Come Around (Sunny Day)" and hinted that it was the first single of an upcoming project.[16] In July, she announced that her mini-album, Dreams, Pains & Paper Planes, would be set for release in September, and dropped another single, "Recycled Paper Planes".[17] A third single, "I'm Just High", was premiered on Clara Amfo's BBC Radio 1 Future Sounds show,[18] and Dreams, Pains & Paper Planes was released on 30 September.[19] Pixey performed songs from the mini-album live at Maida Vale Studios for Jack Saunders' BBC Radio 1 Future Artists show.[20] A fourth, promotional single, "Melody (From You to Me)", was premiered on Dean & Vicky’s daytime BBC Radio 1 show on 3 November.[21]

Pixey's collaboration with Mint Royale on a cover of the Charlatans' "One to Another" was the theme song for the BT Sport 2022-23 Premier League season.[22]

In 2023, "Just Move" was used as the theme song for both the Liverpool FC 2023/24 kit launch[23] and the BBC broadcast of the FIFA Women's World Cup. In August she supported Ellie Goulding for the AIG Women's Open.[24]

Musical style and influences[edit]

Pixey’s music is characterised by breakbeats, reverb-laden guitar, and sampling.[13] Her musical style has primarily been described as indie pop,[25] alternative pop,[9] pop rock,[9] and dream pop.[6] In various specified songs, critics have also noted elements of indie rock,[26] psychedelic pop,[27] bubblegum pop,[26] sampledelia,[26] breakbeat hardcore,[28] and '90s baggy.[25]

Pixey cites George Harrison, De La Soul, Nick Drake,[29] Kate Bush, Björk, Grimes,[30] the Verve, the Prodigy,[18] Fatboy Slim,[31] Beck, and the Beatles[32] as musical influences, as well as the ‘90s Madchester scene.

Discography[edit]

Mini-albums
  • Dreams, Pains & Paper Planes (2022)
EPs
  • Colours (2019)
  • Free to Live in Colour (2021)
  • Sunshine State (2021)
Singles
  • "Hometown" (demo) (2016)
  • "Young" (2016)
  • "Supersonic Love" (2019)
  • "Young" / "Supersonic Love (Summer Version)" (2020, vinyl-only)
  • "Just Move" (2020)
  • "Free to Live in Colour" (2020)
  • "Electric Dream" (2021)
  • "Electric Dream (Piano Version)" (2021)
  • "Sunshine State" (2021)
  • "Life in Stereo" (2021)
  • "Take Me On" (2021)
  • "Come Around (Sunny Day)" (2022)
  • "One to Another" (with Mint Royale) (2022)
  • "Recycled Paper Planes" (2022)
  • "I'm Just High" (2022)
  • "Daisy Chain" (feat. Tayo Sound) (2023)
  • "The Thrill of It" (2024)
As featured artist
  • Blondes - "Coming of Age (End Credits Version)" (2023)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Taysom, Joe (2 February 2021). "Pixey shares the colourful single 'Electric Dream'". Far Out. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b Hansen, Susan (22 March 2021). "On the Rise: Pixey". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  3. ^ Watson, Elly (24 March 2021). "PIXEY: "I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE, BUT ALL I REMEMBER THINKING WAS, 'OH, I NEVER DID THAT MUSIC THING DID I?'"". DIY. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  4. ^ Betts, Kelly (9 September 2016). "On The Playlist: Pixey - Young". BBC Introducing. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Pixey, Monks, Miss Stylie and more set for September Deep Cuts special". Getintothis. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  6. ^ a b Williams, Lana (28 September 2022). "PIXEY - "Dreams, Pains & Paper Planes"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  7. ^ Holden, Finlay (22 January 2021). "Pixey: "While the world was falling apart, mine was coming together"". Dork. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  8. ^ Wilde, Jamie (19 February 2021). "Pixey: "Being Able To Produce Is The Best Asset You Can Have As A Female Artist"". Notion. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "The NME 100: Essential emerging artists for 2021". NME. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Pixey - Free to Live in Colour". Chess Club Records. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Pixey - Sunshine State". Chess Club Records. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  12. ^ "Pixey - In a Sunshine State (Documentary)". YouTube. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  13. ^ a b Geraghty, Hollie (28 July 2022). "PIXEY: "Everything is like a recycled form of the past"". NME. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  14. ^ Cabot, Madeleine (9 June 2022). "Pixey is back with 90s inspired bop, 'Come Around (Sunny Day)'". Dork. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Live Report: AIM Awards 2022". Clash. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  16. ^ "PIXEY SHARES NEW TRACK, '(COME AROUND) SUNNY DAY'". DIY. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  17. ^ "PIXEY ANNOUNCES DEBUT MINI-ALBUM 'DREAMS, PAINS AND PAPER PLANES'". DIY. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  18. ^ a b Walsh, Carmel (10 August 2022). "NEWS: Pixey shares new single 'I'm Just High' and announces mini-album 'Dreams, Pains and Paper Planes.'". God Is in the TV. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Pixey - Dreams, Pains & Paper Planes". Chess Club Records. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Radio 1's Future Artists with Jack Saunders". BBC. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  21. ^ "Overheard at Radio 1". BBC Sounds. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  22. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (10 August 2022). "Pixey delivers new single "I'm Just High"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  23. ^ "5 photos as Liverpool FC unveil Shankly-inspired new home kit for 2023/24 season". This is Anfield. 5 May 2023.
  24. ^ "AIG Women's Open 2023 - Ellie Goulding and Fan Festival Recap at Walton Heath".
  25. ^ a b Taysom, Joe (16 August 2021). "New Noise: Why you need to start listening to Pixey". Far Out. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  26. ^ a b c Golsen, Tyler (23 September 2021). "Pixey shares new single 'Take Me On'". Far Out. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  27. ^ Buchanan, Rhys (26 March 2021). "Pixey – 'Free To Live In Colour' EP review: cosmic pop masterclass with a Scouse soul". NME. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  28. ^ "Pixey Shares Sample-Happy Single 'Take Me On'". Clash. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  29. ^ "Pixey - My Top Records". YouTube. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  30. ^ Benzaken, Dean (2 August 2021). "Pixey – 'Sunshine State' EP (Chess Club Records)". God Is in the TV. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  31. ^ Taylor, Sarah. "In Conversation with Pixey". Music Is To Blame. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  32. ^ "Pixey Interview". Fred Perry. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
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