Performing goes all the way back to childhood for Denver native Fia NyXX. From humble beginnings of singing in choir and church, she eventually made the move out to LA and landed a spot in the girl group, SHE, where she had the opportunity to tour the United States and Asia, play many major music festivals and more. Since then, she has certainly earned the title of a music industry veteran and is now making a name for herself as a solo artist. In 2018, Fix NyXX released her debut solo album, Everything Girl and now, she is gearing up to release her sophomore full-length, Red Umbrella later this month.
Using Everything Girl as a stepping stone, Red Umbrella finds Fia NyXX fully embracing herself and loving every minute of it. Drawing from many different influences and expanding more on her vocal abilities, Red Umbrella finds Fia NyXX stepping out of her comfort zone more than ever before and defying all expectations along the way. With the album out next week, we caught up with her to talk about her start in the industry and growth as an artist over the years. Read the full interview and listen to Fia NyXX’s latest single, “AEIOU” below.
Prelude Press: Can you tell us a little bit about your start in the music industry? What first inspired you to start performing and pursuing it as a career?
Fia NyXX: I am a born entertainer. From a very young age I would prance around the house in my mom’s high heels and sparkly jewelry, with too much blush on my cheeks, and demand that everyone watch me. I’d perform dances and sing songs that I had just made up on the spot to an exclusive audience of my mom, dad and younger brother. I absolutely fell in love with dance and ended up pursuing it competitively until it eventually landed me in Los Angeles, CA. I had always sang in choir and in church, but it was the solo sessions singing in the bathroom mirror, where I would belt out Christina Aguilera songs for hours on end until my voice was completely gone, that in a sense, taught me how to sing. It wasn’t until my first audition (as a dancer primarily that could also sing) that I was expected to sing professionally. I ended up booking the gig and became a part of girl group, SHE. From that moment on, NOTHING fueled my soul like being a recording artist. I toured the United States and Asia, performed at major music festivals like White Party LV, and Matinee. It all happened really fast. Then just as fast as it had come, it was taken away from me when I lost my recording deal (for reasons out of my control) and I was thrown back to square one. Everything that happened since that moment where I was forced to pick myself up and start over, has been the most rewarding and has made me the fearless powerhouse I pride myself to be, today.
Do you feel that the Denver music and arts scene had an affect on you when you were growing up and beginning to get involved in performing?
I love Denver. I think that it is full of star-studded talent but also gives me down to earth vibes. I not only was affected by the actual music/arts scene but by the culture, the integrity of the people, the honesty in the art itself, and the innovation and reinvention of the city as a whole. It is ever changing and ever evolving in a way that keeps me searching for more. Denver brings me comfort and allows me to truly be myself because my fans know me on a more personal basis.
You’ve been involved in the music and entertainment industry from a young age and have gained a ton of experience touring and performing with other projects over the years. I’m sure you’ve learned a ton of valuable lessons over that time, but if you had to choose one (or a few) what has helped you the most in your journey as a solo artist?
The biggest take away I have learned throughout all of my traveling, experience, trials and tribulations is this…. Your intention must ALWAYS BE “BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT.” When you are a performer or entertainer it’s very easy to get caught up in the “success” of it all (or lack of). You start to quantify your success by the amount of money you make doing it, or the amount of fans you have on social media or in the audience, the amount of streams you’ve accumulated, etc. This begins to define you and then your brain immediately associates yourself as a failure or as someone who has a long way to go. Naturally you start acting accordingly and begin to focus on things that stress you out, breeding more insecurities. All of the sudden, it feels like a job and it’s not fun anymore. As an artist you sacrifice just about everything for the lifestyle. Eventually, you can find a balance but at some point in your career you will have to trudge through the mud to make your dreams a reality. It’s inevitable, but the best way to alleviate a lot of this and keep it in perspective is to always set your intention on the fact that you are DOING WHAT YOU LOVE. If you do what you love and do it with all your heart, the money will follow. If you do what you love and do it with all your heart, the gigs will come rolling in. If you do what you love and do it with all your heart, the fans will hear it and the streams will come. … and if none of that ends up happening, well then all be damned… you were blissfully happy doing what you love, and how many people can say that?
In 2018, you released your debut solo album, Everything Girl. Now, you’re just about to release your follow-up, Red Umbrella. How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist between the two albums?
I will always love my first album, but this second album is ME. Red Umbrella is my story, authentic, daring and honest. I created this album with so much freedom that it unleashed a different side of me, many sides actually, and unlocked potential that I didn’t even know was in there. This album is more innovative musically and from a production standpoint. The vocals are much more intricate and highlight a much wider range. The lyrics are more daring, and the “POP” genre is completely obliterated.
Did you have any major goals in mind when you began working on Red Umbrella?
I did have major goals for Red Umbrella, and still do. I wanted to get 100,000 streams on the album and being that the 3 singles we’ve released so far have accumulated over 120,000 streams, I’d say we’re going to far surpass that! ;). It was also a goal for me to get featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and we’ve just confirmed that indeed that is happening. I wanted to be able to perform this new music on tour with a goal of 15-20 dates/cities and we are well on our way to that, with my first show of the year on March 16th at the Invite Only Celebrity Grand Opening of Blackrose LA. Mainly, I just wanted to see this album come to fruition being that I didn’t have my original team, or any of those big names I was once associated with… but to do it independently, and do it well… I am proud. 🙂
What was the most exciting or rewarding part of working on the album?
The most exciting part of recording the album was being in the studio with my producer, Sam J Garfield, who happens to be the most talented musical genius I know, and also happens to be my best friend. We would have so much fun seeing the music come to life, taking it from the skeleton of a song I had brought to the masterpiece it became. The songs would transform and evolve, both of us throwing out ideas and getting experimental. When it came time to lay down the vocals we would do it over and over and over until it was perfect and then Sam would say, “we can add more harmonies,” or I would say, “wait, that top line could be stronger”… or higher, or different all together. I am in love with the creative process, and one moment in particular stands out… when something brilliant happens (and we both know it)… Sam whips around in his producer chair and we both stare at each other in silence with our mouths open for a good 10 seconds, and then smile knowing we freakin’ did it, we burst out laughing. That is the most rewarding moment.
You also recently released your new single, “AEIOU” from the album. Can you tell us a little bit about the song?
“AEIOU” is meant to be fun, sexy, campy and is likely one of the most “contemporary pop” tracks I’ve ever put out. The song embraces female liberation, unapologetic empowerment and sexual desires. If you haven’t seen the video yet, check it out. It definitely pushes the boundaries and gets a little frisky.
What would you like for fans to take away from Red Umbrella?
I want my fans to remove any expectations or inhibitions they have before they listen to Red Umbrella and choose to have a transcendent musical experience with me. This album is raw but theatrical, entertaining but genuine, wild but honest, and I want them to embrace it all. For just an hour of your time, step in from out of the storm, into the safe haven of my Red Umbrella and let us journey along the path less traveled.
With the album out soon, could fans expect to see any live shows coming up? Do you have any other big plans for 2022?
I have several shows coming up in Denver, Los Angeles, New York, and some soon to be announced international stuff! 😉 I will be announcing my tour dates in the coming month. I am also working on a hot dance single with the incredible Bobby Newberry, coming out this summer! We’re super excited about this one and have some major plans for it! Stay tuned!
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