Tucked away in Folkstone, PYX have been working on a self-produced album. They describe their music as intimate, big-hearted and cinematic and their new cut 'The Movies' is a mighty fine taster of what's to come. The band is the new project of Wesly Triffitt, who cut his teeth as part of Kent outfit Tin Foil Astronaut. Ahead of the new single release, LITM's Chris Sharpe chatted to the band about life in Folkstone, the theme behind the music and beyond.
Chris) For all those new to PYX can you tell us how the name came about and what it means?
PYX) PYX essentially just means ‘vessel’ or ‘box’ but the word is more commonly known for its use in its religious contexts, where basically a pyx is a container in which you carry the ‘consecrated host’ or ‘eucharist’ to those who are unable to take communion, often because they are sick. I liked the idea of a monosyllabic name, so I was looking up three-letter words and I came across it that way. I chose it initially because I liked that it sounded like ‘pics’, as in pictures – I wanted something that sounded cinematic. So when I saw what it meant I loved how grandiose it was. I thought it was a fitting metaphor for the project somehow. The project is the vessel for the individual songs, each is its own kind of eucharist – pretty heretical I know! I also like the idea that it is something to be shared, brought to someone, something that has to be carried, it’s got a weightiness to it... something like that!
What's the story behind 'The Movies'?
The song is inspired by Manuel Puig‘s book Kiss of the Spider Woman. It’s a story of two prisoners who recall their favourite movies to each other; it’s about the power of cinema, imagery and the imagination. So I wanted to create a really dynamic and cinematic sound, especially with the strings towards the end. It’s an uplifting, heartbreaking story. Hopefully the song crystallises that juxtaposition. Many of my songs are about my favourite pieces of literature. The lyrics from the last release were taken straight from Twelfth Night, and again with ‘The Movies’ some of the lyrics are directly lifted from the text.
How long did your new track take you to write and what was the recording process like?
It’s a really simple song. I wrote it in an evening in a kind of stream-of-consciousness after finishing the book. Often I spend a lot of time editing and tweaking but with this it just felt like I’d captured a moment. I wrote and recorded all the parts minus the drums, which were laid down by Matt Goody. It was produced by James Simpson of Kent natives Indoor Pets at his Squarehead Studio in Newington.
Who are your musical influences?
The greatest influences I’ve had on my journey have come from my music-making friends. Working on projects like Trev, Tin Foil Astronaut and Brad Higgins’ solo project. I also love hearing demos from Malaki and Zak (from Ed the Dog), who play guitar and bass in PYX respectively.
What’s the music scene like in your hometown of Folkestone and would you recommend any venues/promoters for bands coming to town?
Folkestone has actually just recently been named the world’s first music town, so I think we can expect a lot of fresh initiatives in the immediate future. The Quarterhouse is a great venue right in the centre of our creative quarter and there’s loads going on along the harbour arm, weather permitting. Also, The Chambers, further in town, picks up some touring bands here and there. I saw Frontier Ruckus there once and managed to bag a support slot in London the following night.
Can we expect a full-length record any time soon?
We’re not giving anything away just yet but the wondrous folks of A Certain Kind Records and I are planning a whole slew of releases for next year. Who knows, maybe even an album.
What gigs do you have coming up?
Our launch show for ‘The Movies’ is on 9 November at Canterbury’s UCA bar. Also I’m playing solo in Folkestone on 15 November at the Customs House on the Harbour Arm, supporting Thrift.