Pixey

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]

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" is currently 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]

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.

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)