Female Influences, Songwriting For Selena Gomez, Festival Highlights and Her New Single ‘Dance Like No One’s Watching’ - Pixie Lott Interview - By The Fans Magazine

Words & Interview: Grace Wearn

Photography Credit to Owner.

“Pixie Lott, thank you so much for your time today. Here at By The Fans Magazine, we are a female-led platform built by equally industry professionals, but also fans; for fans. That being said, who are some of your biggest female musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?”

Hey guys! Thank you so much for talking to me today, you guys are fab! I grew up with all the female diva voices like Mariah, Whitney and Celine and pretty much knew every word to all their songs growing up and they were my singing teachers!

“Your new single “Dance Like No One's Watching” comes out very soon! — what’s the story behind it and what can listeners expect to feel?”

It is all about freedom and letting your hair down, living in the moment and letting go fully which we all neeeed!

“Your incredible career spans over more than a decade and a half of, what we can imagine, many highlights. Within your new era of your latest album - Encino, your latest single - good wife and of course your new releases - do you have any key, stand out; highlights you can share with us?”

I feel so lucky and grateful to get to do the job I love as it doesn’t feel like work, it is my passion. My highlights will always be live shows. My first tour the ‘Crazy Cat’ tour was such a dream come true, my most fun recent shows were Mighty Hoopla and my Christmas special at Union Chapel.

“Within your new era of music, it has a solidified live-band equally instrument-driven feel. Do you feel this changes your approach to performing these songs whether you’re playing a festival, headline show, or acoustic set? And are you excited to see if the audiences react differently to these songs, compared to your previous releases?”

They have a real raw story telling approach which I love to perform live because I can really get into the stories and emotion. I love performing with my band and dancers the more the merrier! It’s so good playing new songs for the crowd to gauge the reaction and know what singles to put out next. As an artist I get most excited about playing the new stuff although I will always love playing the old stuff too!

“How has your songwriting process changed since your first album in 2009?”

I have written so many songs now since I first started and I think with more life experience, better songs come out of it. That’s the same with acting! I have been in writing rooms since the age of 13 and so it has changed from then to being really upfront with my ideas and not holding back. The dynamics can be a little tricky in a room as a young female writer in the early days.

“Alongside songwriting for the intention of your own musical discography, are there any songs that you have intentionally or unintentionally written for other artists - that secretly you’d love to re-record in your own style?”

I was over the moon that Selena Gomez recorded and released a song I had written with Toby Gad originally myself. She kept me in the BV’s so it is actually featuring me which I was so happy about. I love it when other artists take songs I’ve written!

“You’re set to play Victorious Festival in my hometown of Portsmouth next month, joining an incredible lineup that includes; Richard Ashcroft, Scissor Sisters, The Vaccines, Vengaboys, and talented local artists like Jerry Williams and Crystal Tides. What are you most looking forward to about performing at the festival? And if you get the chance, are there any artists on the Friday lineup you’re particularly excited to watch?”

I’ve heard the festival is legendary and has the best energy so I cannot wait to play it! The line up is so cool and I love the variety. I feel honoured to be included!

“It’s no secret that you’ve built a really close reciprocated relationship with your fans. How has having such a loyal, close-knit fan community helped you personally through more challenging moments of your career and shaped your perspective as an artist? For example your music video for “Show Me Love” was a pure celebration of your fan community, with them playing the central role. What did creating that Project mean for you?”

I feel so lucky to have such amazing fans that have ridden with me from the very beginning or new ones that have supported me along the way with new songs or projects. They are the reason I’m still here doing what I love and I owe everything to them. I really see the way they show up and support and make it happen and I want to keep creating music especially for them.

“What’s next on the horizon for you?”

Lots of new music that I’m going to continue asking my fans online to be a part of. Whether choosing the next singles or shaping what direction I go in next etc etc. I also have a couple of exciting acting projects this year that will keep me busy alongside and being a Mama will always be my no.1 role!

“Your Performing Arts Academy - Pixie Lott Academy, has now been inspiring young people for around a decade. How important do you feel creative-arts within education is for children and young people today? Especially as now that you’re a parent to two young children, has your perspective on nurturing creativity changed at all, especially in a world where technology is becoming such a big part of how we not only learn, but also - create and absorb the arts?”

I think music and arts is super important in education and it was the best way to grow up for me. It has given me so much in my life and started from a very young age. It helps you make friends, gain confidence, spread positivity, channel creativity and feel good!

“Thank you so much! And the last question - what advice would you give to young creatives, especially girls and women, with the same drive and passion as you?”

It would be to go for it as it is all possible. No dream is too big and grab it with both hands! Believe in yourself, keep the positivity and make it happen. Sometimes it may be baby steps but they all lead somewhere in the end if you just keep going. Work hard, play hard, be kind and if it’s important to you, listen to your own gut. Give as much as you can to your performances and help people feel something.

You can stream Pixie’s new single - ‘Dance Like No One’s Watching’, here.