This is one of the most exciting interviews I've done so far. What creative and enthusiastic answers from the lovely Nyxx! Her music kicks some serious ass. It's so dark and creepy and wonderful. Go check it out!
Q: What is the most memorable or the best show you’ve played?
A:I’m a baby in the touring life, so many of my shows have been special. I think the funniest one was hands down Cincinnati. I invited my one of my best friends, Emily, and her mom. They drove 3 hours. I walk into the venue at load in, see two buckets of wrist bands labeled “dom” and “sub” and started sweating. HA! I had no idea I was playing a dungeon. Emily’s mom is the shit though, so she thought it was awesome. The bands were set up in the medical play room too. But we all drank white wine spritzers and had a fucking TIME! HILARIOUS. That venue was so sweet and asked a woman come in to do my nails, as I was 3 weeks in without a manicure. So hospitable and caring.
2. What’s your favorite tour snack? Mostly caffeine if I’m being honest, but it depends where I am in the tour. Early on, it’s all the junk food. Just slamming through sugar, ramping up that A1C. A couple weeks in, I just literally want lettuce and carrots.
Q: Have you had any weird fan interactions?
A: Oh, on a daily fuckin basis. Some are good weird, some are bad weird. I’m a real weirdo myself and only want others to feel safe and comfortable to be themselves. However, when I get the real crazies, I have to remind them I’m not the fucking one. Do not bring that shit here. I am literally borderline Canadian-nice all of the time, but if you flip the switch…? Oof. I’m literally Satan. Hahaha
Q: Where did the name Nyxx come from? Why the double X?
A:I wanted a strong, feminine name… but not inherently feminine. I loved the name Nyxx because it’s androgynous. If you read into the story of Nyx, she’s a wild woman! I won’t dive too deep here, but in Homer, it describes her “bends to her sway both gods and men.” She’s mothered Doom, Death, Sleep… She’s got thousands of sons that creep into your dreams at night and thousands of daughters that rule cruel and violent deaths. Like, she’s not one to be fucked with. I liked that she was born of Chaos and quite literally surrounded by darkness, but molded it to her will. Like dude, Zeus was afraid of her. Proper. It just kept checking boxes for me conceptually. Beyond that, I’m a visual person. The actual appearance of the word needed to be pleasing to the eye. Extra X was added because I’m reckless! I joke that the extra X is there because I’m “extra.” Honestly, it just felt better.
Q: What do you feel is the biggest challenge you’re facing right now as a musician?
A: In general, I think my mental health is the biggest challenge always. Some days I feel like retreating, but I’m getting better at pulling myself out of it. It’s very much a practice though.
Q: What is your dream artist you wish to collaborate with?
A:Oh god. I mean, Britney. That’s OBVIOUS. I’m waiting for the call girl!!! I mean, I have a list of people I desperately want to work with. I’d really like to collaborate with some ferocious, female artists.
Q: Are you working on anything new?
A:Oh heck yeah! All of the material I’ve had written for like 3 years is getting all suss’ed up and ready to release! I always shoot myself in the foot by sharing too much. I have a shit ton I’m planning on releasing this year and a backlog of songs I have to circle back to finish. No albums though. I’m not into the idea of them at the moment.
Q: Do you have anything you want to tell your fans?
A: Thank you, first of all! My fans have been really incredible and so supportive over the past few years. I’d really struggled, understandably, now that y’all know why! Ha! They’ve been so patient and then when my soft, sad ballad comes out, they really listened, respected, and uplifted me. I’m blown away. I feel seen and it has been pivotal, especially surrounding a person that took every opportunity to make me feel UNseen. So, thank you all. MUSH MUSH MUSH!!!
Q: Describe the moment when you decided that you wanted to make this kind of music.
A: Mmm there wasn’t any specific moment. It all kind of evolved. I’ve always been rooted in pop. I do have a lot of blues, metal, and hip hop influences, so it all comes crashing together to whatever I come out with.
Q: What can you tell us about your upcoming releases?
A: Oh man, I don’t want to give away too much. I am very privileged to be working with some incredible collaborators like David Dutton (GenCab) and Moris Blak. I’ve been working with Walter Kazimer as well. He has been absolutely incredible. I came into the studio with all this material on rage and depression, full of fuckin anxiety to be working with new strangers and he made me feel comfortable and confident. Walter really elevated “hearse” and the amount of care he took with something so important to me… I can’t fully express the depth of my gratitude. Signing on with Shvdow Management, I’ve really found a family. It’s a really wonderful, supportive community we’ve got going. The new songs though… please don’t expect anything in particular! I think many will be surprised, pleasantly. I’ve been processing a lot of anger the past few years. It’s about to get absolutely feral.
Q: If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you have?
A: I mean, I’ve eaten so much of it in my lifetime, my body is probably 25% Italian dressing at this point. We’ll go with that.
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