Not only is Jenn Vix a talented singer and musician, she is compassionate and generous. Vix also knows how to roller skate. Hopefully, she can teach me some new tricks someday. Until then, I’m going to put her music on a roller skating playlist.
Everyone please welcome Jenn Vix to the blog!
Hi Jenn, We’re so glad that you could be here.
Thank you.
Please tell us about your new release.
It is about how I survived a near-fatal illness, and several other frightening and life-threatening things, and what it feels like to live with PTSD; which I’ve been diagnosed with. I’ve experienced flashbacks, and in the past, when I was first affected by this, I would lose my ability to speak at times; I would just stand there shaking.
For almost two years, I was unable to even listen to music, never mind recording it. It took a lot of for me to be able to get things on track again. I’m thankful for the doctors who saved my life. It was a huge struggle, because the first doctors I went to see dismissed my illness, and misdiagnosed me. They sent me home to die.
I called a surgeon at the last minute, and begged him to see me. He told me that if I did not call him, I would not have lasted another two weeks. I was unable to eat much of anything. I also developed Wasting Syndrome from which I have recovered, but it took a while.
It was a close call, and I’m deeply grateful to be here, and to be able to make music not only for myself, but to help benefit others who are also experiencing trauma and or PTSD. When the music video drops on my YouTube channel, there will be links below it, to free help; world-wide hotlines, mental health resources, and a link where people can donate to NAMI; National Alliance On Mental Illness.
Where was your first concert as a fan? As a performer?
I went to see New Order, when I was a kid; 14 years of age, in NYC. I was not supposed to be there, and I had a fake ID. The door people didn’t care at all.
My first gig was singing a song at Danceteria in NYC with Nicole Willis (of Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators) and Adam Horovitz (of The Beastie Boys) on bass guitar. We called ourselves Disco Donut, named after the old donut shop on east 14th street.
There is video of this performance, and I’m trying to get it. The person who owned the video passed away, so it’s in his estate. There is a legal battle going on between the current owner of the video, and another man who wants to put it on YouTube. I hope it ends up online.
Do you have a bucket list? If so, what’s on it?
Yes. 1. If I make it to my 90s, I want to go skydiving. 2. I want to be able to help a lot of people who are struggling. I want to earn enough money so that I can set up funds, which pay out to people who are sick, who cannot afford their bills. I also want to perform music for and help kids in hospital with cancer. Doing that during the holidays would be wonderful! In the meantime, I will play as many benefit shows as possible.
What was the last thing that you read?
Ampeg: The Story Behind The Sound
What are you listening to at the moment?
The Weeknd, Wet Leg, Dua Lipa, TV on the Radio, Halsey, Marc Rebillet, Taylor Swift,
Lil Nas X, Sickick, Frank Ocean, and Grizzly Bear, and a lot of classic Funk tracks. I like a lot of music from different genres.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
Private Investigator. It’s a fascinating job, and you get to travel a lot. It helps people who are being cheated or hurt.
You’ve collaborated with a bunch of renowned artists. Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I’ve collaborated with the late Andy Anderson; former drummer of The Cure, Iggy Pop, and more, Marco Pirroni; guitarist of Adam and the Ants, and Adam Ant solo, Dave Barbarossa; drummer of Bow Wow Wow, Reeves Gabrels; guitarist for David Bowie, Tin Machine, and now in The Cure, John Ashton; original guitarist of The Psychedelic Furs, and Dirk Ivens; of Absolute Body Control, The Klinik, and Dive, DJ Mister Lazy, from Beats4Rap.com, who is a brilliant producer and beatmaker.
I’ve just started a new collaboration with Ali Score; original drummer of A Flock Of Seagulls. We drop this new track early in 2022. I also play in a side project named Feeney Vix, with guitarist, Feeney, in Boston, MA. We play Post-Punk music.
In the future, I would very much like to collaborate with The Weeknd. I think his album, After Hours, is incredible, and I also love his back catalog, and he sampled Siouxsie & The Banshees! I’m looking forward to hearing The Dawn! I’d also like to collaborate with Mark Ronson.
What do you want people to know or think about your music?
I’m not just a singer; I play several instruments, and I write my own music. I’m also a recording engineer. I love to collaborate with other musicians and recording artists, but I always write on those songs.
As I mentioned earlier, I’m interested in many different genres of music. I don’t like to be boxed into one style. I have my own sound which comes through, but I want to continue to evolve and explore.
What have you been doing during times of quarantine (music-wise and hobbies)?
I’ve been recording a lot of new music, collaborating with other musicians online. I’ve been learning Spanish. I’ve also drummed on my electronic drum kits.
Has your songwriting process changed in the past year?
Yes. I’ve shortened my songs, focused more on singles, and I’m going more into the Pop and R&B genres, which I enjoy listening to quite a bit. It just feels good to me. I grew up listening to Pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop; along with New Wave and Post Punk.
Is there a message you’d like to share with your fans or soon-to-be fans?
Please be kind. You never know what someone is going through on the inside. Invisible illness is real. Please do not discount it.
What is something positive that happened to you in the past Covid-laden year?
Being able to collaborate with Ali Score; who is a childhood music hero of mine, and being in the Feeney Vix duo. I love playing drums, and I’ve played since age 3. Writing and drumming/singing with Feeney, brings me a lot of joy!
What are some things you are really looking forward to experiencing after things have stabilized or after some semblance of normalcy has returned in our society?
Seeing less people pass away or become ill from this horrid disease. I lost two friends to it; one on his birthday, and I empathise with anyone who has friends or family members who have been sick or lost their lives.
On a different note, I’d like to be able to go on tour. I played a gig in Boston on 11 September. We had to wear masks. But it was amazing to be on stage again for the first time in almost two years!
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