MXY – Mind Body & Soul

By starrymag | November 15, 2021

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I merge my influences from R&B music with elements of Dance. I’m trying to go for that commercial feel at the moment, as I’ve come full circle with my sound and I’m at the right stage of my career where I feel comfortable to release those type of records and I feel fits well for my comeback sound.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, Ms Dynamite, Katy B, Lil Simz, Sade, M.I.A

 

Q) What are some themes you’ll be exploring on your new album Mind, Body & Soul?

 

A) Commercial feel and upbeat all the way through. I want it to be pure feel good.

 

Q) What tracks challenged you the most to create, either lyrically or sonically?

 

A) I think this one, “Mind, Body & Soul,” because there’s a sense of extra pressure in a way to get it right when you’ve been out of the game for so long, re-launching your music career isn’t easy and if you’ve not done something for a while you’re bound to get a bit rusty. However, saying all that, I knew I would come back with a bang, even though it took time to figure out what sound I wanted to be as my comeback single, the process of producing writing and recording the song flowed really well because I felt like I was exploding with all these fresh ideas.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Yes. Always produce the true first and then write to it. For most of my careers it’s what I’ve always done, and it works for me.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) All of it. I produce all my own music.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from checking out Mind, Body & Soul?

 

A) No matter what you go through, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel so never give up in what you believe in and do what makes you happy. Enjoy. Feel good. Live for today. Live Life.

 

Q) How do you typically shake off a long day in the studio?

 

A) If I get tired and drained from a long day in the studio I usually like to come home and relax, candles, etc., therapeutic exercises and anything that will help me unwind mentally. I’m a massive advocate for mental health, so that’s what I always try and look after first and foremost. It never ever feels like work though, to be honest, which keeps me on my toes for a while!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Nightclubs and bars are the best for me because I love the atmosphere. I’d like to do more gay bars and events, too. If I could pick a place in the world, I would like to perform which I haven’t been as of it yet, it would be places like Miami, New York and Ibiza. Ibiza would mean a hell of a lot to me. I remember walking past the Usiqua Hotel when I was eighteen years old, thinking that’s my dream to DJ there one day. So, to be able to do that would be a dream come true!

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Katy B, Calvin Harris, Disclosure, Missy Elliott

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I dig a lot of retro smooth stuff at the moment like Brian Culbertson and Paul Hardcastle. I love their chilled but funky sound of how they bring old school and new flavors of R&B together. I think it’s beautiful that they’ve both done that and listening to their music has become a major influence, to me, that I want to in-corporate in to my own sound.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I think it’s really worth having that extra bit of leverage that makes you stand out more than other artists by having a strong online fanbase, for people who love your music to see what you’re doing and keep updated is a big thing, as well as it helping build a foundation as a platform that can later on elevate your career in so many ways. Also, I think it’s important in general to have social media on your side, as this is what record labels, etc. will look at when distinguishing your credibility in the music industry. For me, it’s about having an all-round package, so I want people to see me in the flesh, but I also want to them to be able to search my music and social media online easily. I think it’s really important to have that balance and be accessible as an artist. I personally love sharing about my music and taking all my fanbase on the journey with me, that’s the main reason I do it. The rest that comes with it is just a bonus for me!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. It means the world! I couldn’t have gotten to where I am without you. Please keep supporting and listening out for new music. My new single “Mind Body & Soul” is available now to stream and buy online on all platforms. It’s my first single in five years and marks my massive comeback to music this year, so it’s incredibly special to me and I hope that comes across to everyone! Please go check it out and follow all my pages! All I’ll end on is there are big things about to happen for me and I’m going to make it for you all one day, so keep showing the love. x