New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Alternative singer-singwriter Jenn Vix has announced she will release her new EP 'Unlocked' on October 20, preceded by the first single 'Complicated Man' on
September 29.
Based in Rhode Island, Vix is an American solo electronic-rock recording artist, songwriter, producer and recording engineer, who has, over the years, ventured into other genres including alternative rock, trip hop, darkwave, modern new wave and electro-industrial.
This five-track release sees Vix at her best. With weighty lyrics surrounding personally challenging experiences, her vocal delivery on 'Complicated Man' has earned her comparisons to Shirley Manson of Garbage.
"Complicated Man is about covert and or destructive relationships. This EP is inspired by feelings I had when I became ill, and I almost died due to a misdiagnosis, then surgery, and how I made it through it. It also deals with thoughts and feelings I had about people who were in my life at the time of this experience," explains Jenn Vix.
"I wanted to explore different sounds, and it felt good to do so. After my illness, it took me a year and a half to be able to even listen to music again. Change is scary, but it can also be refreshing. I recently had to burn a few bridges, but they say that the brightest light can come from the bridges you burn. I agree."
This album involves John Ashton, original guitarist of The Psychedelic Furs, who appears on the track 'Unlocked'. He previously collaborated with Jenn Vix on two tracks ('The Woman with No Fear' and 'Weirdo') on her five-track EP 'Strange Buildings'.
"Jenn's haunting voice draws you in immediately and possesses a vulnerability that feels genuine," says John Ashton. "Her music is where minimalist groove electronica meets gritty rock guitar and melodic bass, which for me, is far from a bad neighborhood to be hanging around in. It's dark and vibey."
Danny Chavis of shoegaze pioneers The Veldt (previously Apollo Heights) also produced a remix of 'Complicated Man', as well as contributing guitar and other instrumentation here. His background is wrought with collaborations with TV On The Radio,
Mos Def and Lady Miss Kier (Deee-Lite), and touring with Phantogram, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Pixies, Throwing Muses, Echo & The Bunnymen, Cocteau Twins, Manic Street Preachers, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Oasis, Chuck D, Living Colour, and Schooly D.
Jenn Vix has collaborated with Reeves Gabrels, current guitarist for The Cure and former guitarist for
David Bowie and Tin Machine, on her singles 'In the House of Dark Shadows' and 'Speed Of Light', and also with Andy Anderson (The Cure and Iggy Pop) on singles 'Eyes Roll Back' and 'I Don't
Trust You'. Her double A-side single 'F*ck, Rinse, Repeat / Burn' involved Dirk Ivens, Belgian electro-industrial pioneer of Absolute Body Control, The Klinik and Dive.
Her work with
Marco Pirroni (Adam Ant, Rema Rema, The Models, Sinead O'Connor) resulted in her cover version of Shirley Collins 'Turpin Hero' being featured on the compilation album 'Shirley Inspired'. Vix also recorded vocals on tracks by Rodney Linderman (a.k.a. Rodney Anonymous) of The Dead Milkmen.
She eventually contributed three tracks to the PBS series 'Hit and Run History', featuring Andrew Giles Buckley. In her first (high school band
Disco Donut, Vix sang backing vocals for
Nicole Willis (Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators) and Adam Horovitz (The Beastie Boys) on bass.
On
September 29, watch for 'Complicated Man' - the perfect teaser for the 'Unlocked' EP, slated for release on October 20. It will be made available on the usual streaming and store platforms, but it already available for pre-order on Jenn Vix's Bandcamp at https://jennvixmusic.bandcamp.com/album/unlocked
"Vix sounds perpetually enraptured. And the Rhode Island multi-instrumentalist has reason to be. Her music--clear, simple melodies awash in echo--is all dreaminess and shuddering, and from inside its swirl, her voice wafts up lightly. Catchy but otherwordly" - Rolling Stone
"A dark and coolly alluring pop track. While Vix's songcraft often takes her into a realm heavier than pure pop, her new single sounds like a hybrid of
Garbage and soundtracks to '60s French films. Her vocal delivery is endearing, yet cold; the musical backdrop is impeccable and driven" - Big Takeover Magazine
"An impassioned and powerful offering; a cinematic treat for the ears that should not be missed" - Top40-Charts.com
"The combination of crunchy guitars, strong melodies and some highly danceable beats add up to a great offering of songs... Ms. Vix's voice is a wonderful instrument on its own; warm and embracing, yet cooly sexy and it's evident on this track... something truly special" - Popdose
TRACK LIST
1. Alive Again
2. Complicated Man
3. Nerve
4. Complicated Man (Into The Veldt Mix) by
Danny C. Chavis
5. Unlocked
CREDITS
Jenn Vix - songwriting, recording engineer, production, arrangement, vocals, bass, rhythm guitar (track 1), lead guitar (track 1), rhythm guitar (track 3), all electronic drumming and synths.
John Ashton - All guitar on track 5.
Frank Coleman -
Drums on track 5.
Danny C. Chavis - Remix and production, guitar, bass synth and TR-808 on track 4.
Paul LF - Bass guitar on tracks 3 and 5.
