You can´t get enough of a good thing. And so we keep pressing repeat for Rachel Foxx´s latest track Progress. With it´s very intriguing energy this exclusive video premiere is just the perfect way to end this workday.
Rachel has supported Kelis, Joey Badass and Lauryn Hill on tour, and sold out a headline show at Camden Assembly, and secured a coveted session with COLORS last year. Music aside, she has a keen interest in fashion which has secured her a range of collaborations, including Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. We had a chat with the London artist about her creation process and how important it is to her to bring across a message with her music.
Hey dear Rachel, thanks so much for your time! I am so in love with your song „Progress“. The sound is so multi-layered and I find your voice absolutely intriguing. Can you tell us a bit about the creation of this song ( like how long it took you to write it, who you produced it with and anything else you want to say about the creation process)
Hey!!! Thank you! I created this song with TRVLLV – he is a classical pianist that I work with. He literally played the chords and I had the song in my head already, it didn’t take long for us to create this. We recorded it at Elton John’s London studio, I had the words in my head, I don‘t know how, but they just came.
You explained that “Progress is about building yourself up, looking after yourself, focusing on your mental health and cutting all the unhealthy stuff off.“ Is that message related to a specific personal event or just your general approach to life you want to tell to your listeners?
It‘s kind of a mix of everything. I think everyone has been in a position before where they know something or someone is unhealthy for them and you have to make strategic moves in order to move on.
“I think everyone has been in a position before where they know something or someone is unhealthy for them and you have to make strategic moves in order to move on.”
How important is it for you to bring across a message with your music?
It’s important, I want my music to be relatable, I want it to touch people. This means everything to me.
What is your best creative place to write new songs?
Probably my bedroom. It’s where I first started out writing my music, and it feels most genuine to me.
The video somehow has this „cool American style“ feeling to me. Am I right about this?
Hehe! Thanks! It‘s just a chill vibe, with me and my friends, but I do draw a lot of my inspiration from America.
How did you get interested in music in the first place and what or who influenced you in your decision to become a musician?
I’ve always been obsessed with music, even as a baby, I don‘t remember anything else. Nobody really influenced my decision to become a musician; I kind of just made up my mind because it just felt right, and then I just went with the flow.
“Music is definitely my biggest outlet, I feel like the world can get quite dark at times and I go in the studio and shut myself away from all that shit.”
How important is fashion to you and what would you say does your style tell about your personality?
I’m obsessed with fashion, my clothes influence my mood; the colours, the fits, textures. I am a bit lazy with my style though, I love baggy stuff and live in tracksuits, I love being comfortable.
You are from Hackney, London. How has your hometown/area shaped you as a person and artist?
Hackney is a super diverse place, it‘s hood as well as gentrified… it‘s inspirational… it‘s everything really.
Do you have a role model in your personal life?
Yes! A lot of people in my family have done extremely well for themselves and I feel honoured to have this around me.
Has being creative helped you to cope with the current difficult and crazy times?
Yes!!! Music is definitely my biggest outlet, I feel like the world can get quite dark at times and I go in the studio and shut myself away from all that shit. Like the world could be on fire and I wouldn’t even notice – that‘s how focused I am when I’m creating.
What are your dreams/goals for the next years?
My main goal is to finish my album and release my album.
And last but not least, can you tell us a secret about yourself?
A secret about me is that I‘ve been watching Fresh Prince Of Bel Air re-runs regularly for the past decade.
www.instagram.com/rachelfoxxinc
images by Troy O’Connor
