Pop-artist Phenix, is a one woman project hailing from Nashville, Tennessee by way of Rio, Wisconsin. After years of writing and crafting her sound, it was in 2015 when she found her artistic identity as Phenix. Her persona was born after healing from an emotional and toxic setting, truly breaking down and rising again as Phenix. “I had to grow and go through my ashes before I could rise as the Phenix” and that she did. Phenix hopes to do the same for others and be the guiding light that helps them rise from their ashes. The singer-songwriter fuses genres including rock, pop and soul creating a self proclaimed sound of “Roxul Pop.” Although she takes inspiration from artists such as Janis Joplin, Lady Gaga, Sia and Amy Lee, Phenix has created a sound that’s all her own.
In this interview spotlight, we chat with Phenix about her newest project, influences, navigating the digital music world and more.
Full Q&A along with links and streams can be found below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I am originally from Rio, Wisconsin. I moved to Nashville about 5 years ago.
Here’s where it gets tricky with labels and terms…I could say Pop Soul music or what I like to call “Roxul Pop” my self titled genre of Rock Edges, Pop Melodies, and Soulful Infusions. But more than that and beyond that…I simply make music that I mean. That I mean with every inch of my heart. And that’s a beautiful thing because as an artist I continue to grow and carve out this magnified persona that lives inside me and I get to show her off to the world at all stages of her beauty. I write from a place of honesty and strength and I keep my Warrior mentality at the forefront because that is the most valuable lesson that life has taught me….no matter what has tried to stifle or stumble you, you always have to choice to let it make you greater. That’s what I want my audience to feel.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
It was born with me, both in motivation and in aspiration. I have just always done it …created I mean. It is a beautiful work of art the gift of voice – whether it be singing or playing music with your finger tips… and it takes on a whole other life when you create the message with your lyrics and melody inviting the listener into your world. It was songwriting that all of the singing and exploring led to and I found it at 8 years old when my fingers found the guitar. I wrote on my neighbor’s acoustic guitar for a couple years, she eventually just knew she wasn’t getting it back and let me have it. It wasn’t long after that when I was around 10 years old that I picked up piano and found my partner in crime. Acquiring hammy down pianos and playing the one at the school, I had created over 200 songs by the time I graduated high school. But it was always more than the music for me – it was changing the world. I wanted to be and do something so great one day that it would change and would impact people’s lives forever – capsulated in time and continuously spreading power. My love for the world and the need to use my voice is what motivates me. It has always been the driving force within me.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
I had dropped a few singles here and there throughout the last two years as I continued working diligently on my brand, perfecting my craft and sharpening my message so I was clear about my direction when I decided to hit the ground and run. I’ve worked hard with my team and have built a network of guiding lights so that when the time was right, we could run and never look back. This project is the introduction EP to Phenix and features tracks from the beginning of my transformation, beginning of my story from where I tell it. But I’ve got 3 albums in the kitchen and a couple more in the works, and this is only the tips of my hair compared to what I have coming. I never stop writing, I never stop creating, I will spend a lifetime trying to catch up with myself and catch the world up as well.
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
In the digital world, physical CD’s are no longer the go to buy obviously….and there is such a plethora of outlets to get your music out there which is a beautiful thing, but it can also be a tricky thing. You and millions and millions of other people are all online begging to be heard. It leaves people a lot of options and a lot of criticisms. It’s never been easy and it never will be to reach the top, the game will keep changing and you’ll have to keep moving with it. But if you just give it your heart and you relentlessly sacrifice and discipline yourself to your craft, you can make it. The digital age has challenged me to be more creative and intellectual, to get into the mind of the people and make those connections without the face to face.
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
- IG: @phenixred1
- FB: @phenixred
- Twitter: @phenixxxmusic
- Soundcloud: @phenixred
- Spotify
- My Website: Phenixmusic.com
Anything else before we sign off?
To anyone out there who needs a quick pick me up quote — Nike said it best….”Just Do It” …this one’s been helping me lately and I want to spread the word ☺ -Phenix
https://soundcloud.com/phenixred/so-gone/s-7vzHh
