I recently caught MIXALYDIA live, and was immediately impressed with them, the songs were great and the onstage performance showed the band really loved what they do, so I took the chance to catch up with them on the run up to their EP release.
Please introduce yourself to our readers?
We are MIXALYDIA, a melodic alt-rock band from the South Wales Valleys – the Rhondda to be more precise!
Where did the bands name come from?
It came from the Mixolydian mode, a musical scale – we thought it sounded pretty cool and we just so happened to have Lydia as our drummer. Didn’t think of that in the first place but it just stuck. Now Lydia loves the attention it brings haha.
How did you get started?
We’ve always been in a band, from birth actually, we just didn’t know it ’til we started playing music together.
What have you got going on at the moment?
We’ve recently recorded our new EP – self titled MIXALYDIA. We’re about to release it on the 8th of November, got a big launch night lined up at the Full Moon Cardiff. We’ve just started making some videos for our youtube too – that’s been a funny experience, mainly because we all have trouble staying serious about something for long enough haha. Mainly though, we just want to tour – ideally land a support with a bigger band, keep to writing and performing cos it’s what we do best.
Favourite music and why?
Ahh this is where we reach a big crossroads! we’re all influenced by so many different artists. Jesse is a serious pop/motown fan – many times we’ve ambled into his house to find him screaming his head off to the pointer sisters! As for the rest of us, Joss is a big punk fan – would never have picked up a guitar if it wasn’t for Nirvana. Lydia and Josh have a really wide taste in music and I think this is what gives us our unique sound.
Favourite book and why?
50 Shades of Grey, our bassist has a thing for executive types.
Favourite film and why?
We’d have to say Roadhouse. We’re all about having a laugh as friends, it’s one of the funniest “not meant to be funny” films ever and whenever we get together and watch it, hilarity ensues.
Best experience in the business so far?
Definitely playing at Huw Stephen’s London Welsh Session! We happened upon the chance to play there and it was one of the best gigs we’ve played to date, in a great venue. We were flattered by co-promoter Iain Richards when he said after the show that we were “the best band to have come through the sessions.” That took us a back and we’re really grateful that the guys up in London loved us little Valleys folk haha.
Why should Soundscape readers care?
Honestly? We just love doing what we do. We have a passion and a love for making music that people can relate to, that people can dance to and just enjoy. We’re not trying to be like anyone else, to be honest we’re kinda fed up of seeing so many people be happy to jump on a bandwagon. We wanna build our own wagon, so get on it if you can.
Tell our readers an interesting fact about Mixalydia?
Half of us are colourblind. This is true, both Joss & Josh can’t see colours well…at all.
What’s the best and worst things about touring?
The best thing is getting to play our music to different types of people at every gig, getting them to enjoy what we love doing. The worst thing is that it makes it hard work to find time to write new material – but we always seem to find a way. Oh yeah and not having roadies – that fucking sucks.
Most embarrassing thing to happen to you while in the band?
We’ve actually introduced ourselves under the wrong name, genuine mistake. Spent the whole gig calling ourselves “Roosevelt” only to realise at the end when it was too late to tell them the right place to find us on facebook haha.
What’s your writing and recording process?
Songs usually begin with Jesse having the main basis for a song, written on acoustic guitar normally. He’ll come to us with the idea and as a band we start jamming on it, working it out and turning it in to something we can use live – from there, we take it to the studio. We’re very much about capturing our live sound and energy.
What inspires you?
As people, we all struggle with the thought of working a dead end job forever. We’re lucky cos we get to be ourselves, express ourselves and enjoy being in a band of great people – while being able to make a living out of it. We don’t need tons of cash, we just wanna be happy and lead a musical life.
Who are your role models/idols?
We each have different ones for various different reasons but to keep it simple – Jesse – Nick Cave, Lydia – Stuart Copeland, Joss – Josh Homme
Hardest thing about the current business?
Everywhere is saturated with so many great bands these days, it can be hard to make a shout for yourself unless you really are something different. It can make it hard but it’s exactly why we do what do, to be ourselves and just enjoy it.
What are your future plans?
Keep playing music, for a long time.
The band are holding an EP release show at The Full Moon in Cardiff this Friday, so please get down and check out this awesome band.
