Meet Roxi Sound, the multi-talented musician from Brighton, United Kingdom who is taking the music world by storm with her unique blend of alternative electro-indie pop hits.
Roxi Sound’s voice was even featured in Gucci’s Spring in the House campaign, which is a testament to her undeniable talent.
Her vocal style, which can be described as both wild and unlimited, is what separates Roxi Sound from other artists and can be heard on her most recent album. She is a singer, composer, guitarist, and producer, and she has developed her abilities to the point where she can make music that is not only strange but can also be bopped to.
Roxi Sound was born to a Jewish mother from South Africa and a British pub musician father, and she inherited the inventiveness, determination, and tenacity of both of her parents.
Her mother is from South Africa, while her father is from Britain. Because of this, she has been able to create and compose all of the components of her music, as well as gather a fantastic team of musicians and fans behind her.
The CD that Roxi Sound released demonstrates her unique approach and includes a variety of instruments, all of which she plays really well. She calls herself a “geeky neurospicy” artist who is always trying to push the limits of what is possible in the music business. She is continuously pushing the boundaries of what is feasible in the music industry.
In a recent interview, Roxi Sound spoke about the musicians who have influenced her musical style as well as her creative process. She finds motivation in a diverse array of musical styles and musicians, such as Bjork, Radiohead, and Missy Elliott, amongst others. She also said that she often plays around with a variety of sounds and instruments until she finds the mix that works best for each song.
It is not surprising that Roxi Sound is rapidly becoming a household name in the music business given the unquestionable ability she has and the one-of-a-kind sound she creates.
Everyone who is interested in hearing something new and intriguing in the realm of music absolutely has to give her song a try. Discover your next favourite musician by spending some time today exploring Roxi Sound.
How long have you been making music and what attracted you to it?
I’ve been making music since I was 16. My dad is part of a comedy music duo in South Africa called Abbott&Crabb- so my sister and I would be in matching pyjamas at their gigs- using cutlery to drum on the tables.
Music and the stage have always felt like home. I studied Musical Theatre and then started singing in bands in 5-star hotels in China and the Middle East. I always wrote music relentlessly.
During the lockdowns, when a lecturer in my guitar course (the magical Martin Cooper at BIMM Brighton) started giving us audio fewer videos and said- go make some music for this- that I started to go deep into production and really take charge of music creation- and play with electronic elements of music more.
What were your first project and the people you worked with and which year?
My first project was a band called Alarmhouse when I was a teenager (so around 2007 – whoops, revealing my age)- we were groggy and weird – but my musical theatre-style drama performance made us stand out… whether in a good or a bad way I don’t know- but we won some battle of the bands.
I did a few others after- releasing an EP called Drunk Banjo – I think it might still be available on Bandcamp/Soundcloud! I released that in 2015 I think! My first international gig was with an incredible violinist- Natasha Ratz, an amazing keys player and bandleader Greg Lassalle and a very strange man called Dr Sax.
It was in the red moon lounge- a bar in the Grand Hyatt in Beijing, which rarely had more than 3 guests- 2 prostitutes and their pimp. Since then I’ve had so many band lineups- but my long-term creative partnership has been with Poykin – my co-producer and drummer of multiple years.
Who or what inspires you or motivates you? And why?
I actually wrote my thesis for my Guitar Degree on Motivational Psychology and Growth Mindset. I battle heavily with ADHD- So often – it’s people who help my mental health that inspire me.
For my comedian & podcast obsessions: I recommend Jameela Jamil of iWeigh, Taylor Tomlinson, Whitney Cummings, Esther Perel, and Jeff Warren to everyone. I am musically obsessed with Theo Katzman or Vulfpeck, Lizzo, Lawrence and Bombay Bicycle Club.
I love Theo’s combination of rock with jazzy influences and pure groove and energy- where sometimes the emotion takes more important than accuracy. I feel the same with Lizzo. I just musically adore Lawrence and BBC.
What are your friends and parents’ thoughts on your career in singing?
My cats don’t love it when I’m recording in my home studio- but I buy them good toys and food so they put up with it. My dad’s a pub musician, and my mom’s a cricket scorer … neither of them has a leg to stand on criticizing me for a weird career path.
I think my mom worries about my finances- so do I often. My friends offer me so much love and admiration- but know the struggles. I’m lucky I’m surrounded by support- but that’s probably because I’m also in more safe areas of the industry – like weddings and functions. It is hard when all your friends start earning more- and you’re highly skilled in things hard to sell.
What are some of the challenges you face in your career path?
I was super lucky to get some Help Musicians funding and support for my release of There’s No Fire (my debut single from ALTPOP FOR THE EXISTENTIAL) – and I recently had a mentor session with Jeremy Patterson- and in that Career Planning session the biggest challenge that always comes up is funding and time (which are kinda linked- because funding can create or release time).
Alongside that- imposter syndrome also gets in the way of fighting for funding or putting the time in to create content. My ADHD is also a real challenge- but I’m super lucky that Access to Work UK has helped me with an ADHD coach – who is super helpful!
Lastly- there’s trying to get my foot in the songwriter-for-hire and artist door at the age of 31 in an industry that prefers its women young. So yeah- my challenges are money and my brain… I guess like everyone!
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
I get a lot of people saying – oh it was WAY better back in the day when record labels gave massive advances etc. And to that, I think- but then you were COMPLETELY reliant on the luck of being “FOUND” by them- or being the thing they wanted to sell.
I think it does mean things change RAPIDLY- for example – keeping track of the TikTok and Instagram algorithms is a full-time job. I think making it as an artist of ANY sort has always been hard- and always relied on patrons of the art.
The problem is- we all want to compete on a global scale- and that’s always going to be hard. I think all technology amplifies good and bad human traits- you can now find easier access to incredible resources and positive communities than ever before- but also – trolls and hate have been amplified. So- I kinda feel technology has amplified both sides.
Do you have any advice for aspiring songwriters?
YES! Learn how to record yourself. In this day and age- being able to produce your own demos and also hear them back is priceless! If you don’t – you’ll always be reliant on someone else to shape your sound.
My co-producer and I did a masterclass on recording yourself for beginners on a budget at BIMM Brighton- so if anyone wants more info they can contact me at @roxisound on Instagram/TikTok. There are incredible free tools you can get access to – that you can make super high-quality music on!
After that- get yourself on Fiverr- and start offering your services for what you feel it deserves. Writing for other people is great and you can learn how to market and package yourself!
What is your current project about?
ALTPOP FOR THE EXISTENTIAL – is an album for weird kids who like their pop with an edgy twist. It’s for people who like their sadness with a lilt of a positive outlook. I write from a very existential place- and this album has allowed me to combine my love for catchy hooks- with weird middle 8ths and distortion.
It’s about finding my true sound as an artist- as I composed and produced all the original instrumentation and structures of the demos before reworking it with Poykin. It’s about truly leaning into what feels honest to me. And about writing love songs for my cats.
What does this song mean to you?
There’s No Fire (out now *wink*) was formed when I was sitting in my car- feeling so anxious that I wanted to drive my car into the wall- but not knowing entirely what that anxiety and frustration was about, and about leaning into the love and comfort around you. My next single – Gaslight Tango- is much darker and weirder- but still with a catchy hook- about… you guessed it- gaslighting. It’ll be interesting to see people’s reactions.
What are your hobbies?
As a true Neuro divergent – I have a million. I make tiny polymer clay earrings and cartoonesque things (I made a Pikachu in a mug because why not). I paint as well – I have experimented with acrylic pouring – I will pay for it when it comes to getting our rental deposit back. I also love DIY- and one day – when I have a garage – I will be getting into some serious DIY projects- making furniture, painting guitars, building stuff… that’s the dream.
What do you do aside from this profession?
I’m super lucky to have worked as a full-time function/wedding musician for most of the past 10 years. I also now work as a topliner and songwriter on Fiverr. I also sometimes cover lecture performance classes at Waterbear in Brighton which I love! I worked as a Carer during the pandemic when I (like all performers) lost all my gigs- which was hard but super rewarding.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Thank you. I’m so grateful to have people that like what I do and create. I have a silly chaotic nature – that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you like my stuff- please message me or comment and let me know what kind of content you’d want to see.
I’ve always believed an artist is there to serve an audience (not every audience- but to give to those who like their authentic self) and so please get in touch if you like what I’m doing! Also- please add me to weirdly named playlists… because I can see the playlists you add me to!
