INTERVIEW:
lennixx
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THE epic lennixx have been talking to me...
about their new single, Bad Bird, and how it started life. I was eager to know how they formed and how the music comes together – the duo tell me what lies ahead and reveal some albums/artists who mean a lot to them.
I ask the Swedish-based duo what the scene is like for them and whether there will be tour dates; if they have a favourite memory from their career so far; which artist they’d support if they had the time and what advice they’d give to musicians coming through – lennixx pick a great track to end things on.
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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?
Hi, guys! We are feeling great at the moment. We have been in the studio working on new music this week, so that is always fun. The week gets better straight away.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?
We are a duo called lennixx and we released our debut mix-tape last autumn called hapap. Now, we most-recently released our new single, Bad Bird. We love to play around with our voices and try out different harmonies in different ways. We are very unrestricted when it comes to genres and what our music sounds like - and we like to try different things and see what works for us.
What is your new song, Bad Bird, about? How did it come together?
Bad Bird is about a toxic relationship that has come to an end when the person in question tries to ruin things for you because they are overwhelmed by bitterness. Instead of dealing with it in a healthy way, they just try to turn everyone against you and make up dishonest rumors and talk badly about you. In the song, we reply with “I have my real friends who will always have my back/and I couldn’t care less what you have to say about me”. It was written when we just wanted to express our feelings about a certain situation in the studio.
How do songs come to you? Do you set time aside to write or is there a structure to your writing process?
We write both lyrics and melodies both in sessions and outside of sessions. Usually, the song comes together in the studio, though. The writing process can, at times, be that you start on your own on something – like an idea – and then it all comes together when we work at it in the studio. It’s usually easier to capture feelings in action, like if you think about something – it could be on a plane or the Tube or whatever you just write it down.
How did lennixx form and what was it that attracted you to one another?
We fit really well together, both personally and musically. We formed our sound together. So, it wasn’t like we were aiming to sound like a specific genre or anything – we just worked until we found what we wanted to sound like. We complete each other very well both with our voices, in songwriting and our artistry.
Do you think your music and style has changed a lot since the start?
Yeah. We think that it has changed a lot since we first started. We released our first song in 2016 and we didn’t really have a clue about what we wanted to do. It became more natural once we had more involvement in the songwriting process. You also grow up and you get new perspectives about yourself and your artist career so of course the music changes with that.
Being based in Sweden, how strong is the music coming from there right now?
Sweden has always been one of the major actors in music exports and still is today. However, we aren’t really a part of that genre or style that Sweden is mostly known for. It could be negative for us, like people assume that we are two typical Scandi-Pop girls just because we are from Sweden. But, it could also be positive for us since we do something complete different from what most Swedish music usually sounds like.
Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?
Our favourite memory was when we wrote one of our songs on our first mixtape called HER. It was the first time we felt: this is us. This is our vibe. Then we really found something that was special for us.
Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?
Andrea: SZA – Ctrl
Because you can listen to the album back-to-back and all the songs are great. You don’t skip any of them.
Hanna: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
All the songs work in every situation - and whatever you are feeling.
If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?
It would definitely be Frank Ocean and our rider could perhaps contain a bed, a masseur and a juicer. That would be cool!
What advice would you give to new artists coming through?
To stay true to yourself and continue do what you really believe in. Your gut is ALWAYS right and, if you like it, someone else will too.
Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?
Yeah. We are playing different shows all over Sweden this year. You can catch our tour dates on our social media!
Will you be coming to the U.K. at any point?
Yes. We are coming to the U.K. to play in the fall - and hopefully during the summer too!
IN THIS PHOTO: Summer Walker
Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?
Summer Walker, Little Simz and Ama Lou are all amazing.
IN THIS PHOTO: Little Simz
Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?
We don’t really like to chill that much right now because we enjoy working a lot. But, when we do, we like to hang out with friends, watch series and sleep.
Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Hanna: I Want You Around – Snoh Aalegra
Andrea: Tried Up – Ama Lou
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