The shesaid.so mix series aims to spotlight the diverse artists within our community. We are committed to championing underrepresented voices from around the world, focusing on female, non-binary, trans and queer individuals. Our monthly mix series allows our contributors to showcase their unique backgrounds and inspirations by creating exclusive, 30-minute live recorded soundscapes.
The shesaid.so Mix series continues this month with the multi-faceted PENNYWILD. The LA-based artist is a modern day renaissance woman. In addition to becoming a staple of the LA underground nightlife scene as a DJ and producer, she’s performed at festivals such as Coachella, SXSW, and HARD Summer, choreographed music videos for Zedd and RL Grime, and toured internationally with the Broadway musical West Side Story. The creative polymath imbues her productions and DJ sets with a sense of movement.
Now, in her mix, which showcases many of the artist’s original tracks, PENNYWILD presents a set of euphoric motion and fluidity — bridging the gap between her multiple defining art forms.
In 2022, PENNYWILD is releasing three new singles and a new EP, further entrenching her profile into the contemporary dance music canon.
Tell us the story of how you fell in love with music.
Growing up a “theatre” kid and competitive dancer, music was always in the fabric of my identity. Dance was my first love, but music was an integral part of that expression. Without music, I’d have no context to create. It wasn’t until I was in my early twenties, though, that I fell in love with electronic music. Seeing Grimes at my first ever music festival — I clearly was a late bloomer with concerts — was transformative. I saw her on stage and knew I needed to be there, doing the same thing. That performance changed my life forever.
How has your community, background or upbringing influenced your sound?
I’ve always been fascinated by the connection between music and movement, and have been working tirelessly to bridge the gap between the art forms. House was always a style of dance that has heavily influenced my style. Growing up dancing in the brilliant Ephrat Asherie’s street styles dance company back in New York City.
Naturally, being a house dancer, I was exposed to a lot of house music. It’s no wonder I’ve gravitated towards that 4 on the floor sonic texture — it’s already in my body. Additionally, my theatre background plays a huge part in the types of vocals I gravitate towards — narrative, spoken expressions that propel a plot line forward.
Who or where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw a lot of inspiration from the big dogs — Childish Gambino, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Robyn, and more. In dance music, I’m really into Matvei, Dan Kye, Azealia Banks, Chris Lorenzo, amongst so so many others. I am a sponge for inspiration.
Is there a theme to your mix? What can listeners expect to hear?
I took this opportunity to showcase a fair amount of my own work in this mix. You’ll hear tracks like “GET READY” and “SIDE STREETS” (off sophomore EP “NIGHT PEOPLE”), “Do It To Music” (off debut EP “MIDI In Motion”), an unreleased bootleg, etc. It’s taken me a long time to have enough of a catalog to feature multiple original tracks in a mix, and that’s something I’m really excited about. Pivoting careers at 22 years old and starting from ground zero with music production was an extremely humbling, challenging, and at times slow-moving experience, but I am happy to be working on my 3rd EP — I feel like I finally KIND OF know what I’m doing now (kind of, being the key word) ;)
What are you currently working on, and what are you looking forward to in 2022?
I have three unreleased singles that I’m really excited about, as well as an unreleased EP. You’ll be hearing a lot more from me in 2022, and I cannot wait to drop some stuff I’ve been sitting on for so long, as well as some accompanying movement-based visuals.
PENNYWILD Socials
https://www.pennywildmusic.com
https://www.instagram.com/pennywildmusic/
https://twitter.com/PennyWildMusic