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Sophie
Hey! I'm Sophie, I'm 22 and live in Leicester.

You can usually find me at a gig in the photo pit or shopping for another new outfit which definitely won't fit in my wardrobe.

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Interview With FØNX

FØNX is a new and upcoming artist that I'm sure you'll be hearing more of in the next few months. His pop-R'n'B style is sure to get you nodding your head when his songs are playing. His latest single, Can't Get Enough, is a banger, with it's electronic sound, the guitars and beat are bound to get you hooked from the moment the song begins.

I've had the chance to interview FØNX about his music, for you to learn a bit more about him and the amazing work his produces. So without further a-do, here's the interview.

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First of all, could you introduce yourself?

I’m FØNX I’m a singer songwriter, artist, producer.




Where did the name FØNX come from?

Well I’d been writing solidly for a couple of years or so and the direction the music was going in was pretty different to what I had written in the past. So when it came to recording this new stuff in the studio then actually thinking about releasing it, it felt right to have a new name and a bit of a fresh start.

So I was searching for names and really couldn't find anything that stuck and felt like it represented me. I went round my mates, made some cocktails, put on some good tunes and danced round the kitchen. Then during the night we were throwing name ideas round which really helped actually and the name FØNX came up. I thought yeah that’s cool. My last names Fox and the music has some funky elements in so there you have FØNX.


Your latest single, ‘Can’t Get Enough’, you produced with Grammy award winning Tommaso Colliva. What was working with such a big name like for you?

It was amazing, Tommaso is such a cool guy and has worked on such a variety of music so it was great to work with someone with so much experience. We shared a lot of music with each other, had a real laugh and sometimes the sessions were intense. I really know what I want and sometimes I may not know how to get there or it may take a lot of trial and error but there’s always a sweet spot I feel you reach when you’re both happy with what you’ve created.

It was the first time I had worked with a producer properly on my stuff so it was a good learning curve for me too as I produce my demos and do lots of pre-production for the tracks at home while I’m writing them and recording them initially. Most of these elements and bits I’ve recorded make it to the final version, but of course things like guitars and vocals need to be re-recorded in a proper studio.

His studio is full with amazing vintage and analogue gear which he really knows his way around so we used quite a bit of this in the sessions but still tried to keep that in the box sound and feel of the production.


Where did the influence for ‘Can’t Get Enough’ come from?

The initial ideas came after a night out in Brighton during The Great Escape where my friend told me he had recently taken some funky substance and was tripping out for 20 hours straight, which from what he was describing to me sounded like the worst nightmare! I took this story away and starting penning some ideas for the song about being addicted to things.


Your 2016 single, ‘Hit Me Hard’, has some interesting lyrics. Tell me more about your first single.

So Hit Me Hard started as the initial guitar part you hear in the intro. I was just messing around late one night trying out some minimalistic ideas. I really like Steve Reich so I’ve always been fascinated with minimalistic music. That guitar part was actually single notes I played which I then placed manually to make that arpeggio pattern. From there the beat came along and I started to form an arrangement and a song if you like. I don’t normally start with the production first but in this case it just came together like that.

Story wise I had a relationship with someone where things got pretty heavy. So the inspiration came from that but then exaggerating that story. I’m a big fan of Quentin Tarantino and sometimes find creatives like him can inspire me to write as film, stories and music go hand in hand for me. So I wanted to write something that was dark and felt cinematic in terms of the story, the lyrics and the feel of the music.

I’ve heard that you’re working on a new lyric video for ‘Can’t Get Enough’ and that you’ve been working on some of its animations yourself. What do you think you’d be doing now if you weren’t in the music industry?

Yes I have been...that took a while! I’m not an animator or really know my way round the software I was using but it was a fun challenge to put something together myself and hopefully people enjoy it.

I’d probably be doing something to do with film or photography as I’ve always loved creating and used to make short films when I was younger with my mates in the summer holidays. We’ve been saying for years we should get back together sometime and make another one for a laugh...maybe one day!


You found yourself sofa surfing at a few friends’ houses a while ago, how did that impact on your music career? I bet you got a lot of feedback on your writing.

Yes it was a fun/interesting time. It felt exciting but also strange not knowing where I was going to stay the next night. I think it’s good to be out of your usual pattern sometimes as it throws new stuff at you and can make you think and see differently not being in that same routine you’re used to.

Lots of feedback of course. I’m always sharing what I’ve been making with friends and asking for feedback. They had it for years so hopefully they’re not too sick of it!




Writing has been something you’ve been doing since you were young. Do you remember any of the lyrics you wrote in your first song you ever wrote? What was it about?

I can remember one of the first songs I ever wrote was about was how much I hated my teachers and it was called ‘My School was a Nightmare’. This was when I was listening to Eminem and wanted to be a rap superstar at the age of 10. The lyrics were “My school was a nightmare, I still think the teachers need serious help and care, when I was there all I wanted was a bit of fun, anyways it’s over it’s gone it’s done…”. I still have it on a mixtape somewhere I put together...hopefully no one ever has to hear that!


What festival would you love to play at most? And what’s been your favourite thing about playing at the festivals you’ve already performed at?

Glastonbury of course or Coachella! I just love the buzz and how everyone’s there for the weekend to have a great time. Just good vibes all round and if the sun's shining you’re onto a winner!

FØNX, Hit Me Hard Official Lyric Video

Can you play any other instrument other than the guitar, if not, what would you love to learn to play?

I play some bass on my tracks and produce but I guess you can’t call that an instrument. I also used to play Djembe in a drumming group when I was younger which I loved and probably really helped with my rhythm. I’d love to be able to play keys though, that’s always something I wish I had learnt as it’s pretty handy for writing and producing.


If you had the chance to collaborate with anyone, who would you work with?

I’d love to work with Francis and the Lights as I love how minimalistic and visual he is with his music. Really dig his new album ‘Farewell, Starlite’.


Favourite and least favourite film?

Favourite film - Pulp Fiction.

Least favourite film - Non Stop.


What do you do to unwind, that’s when you’re not writing?

I don’t really give myself much time to chill and unwind these days. When I have some time I usually take my dog Cookie out for a walk by the sea at night or go round my mates, few G&Ts and smash some Fifa!




If you could star on any celebrity talk show, which one would you chose?

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.


What can we expect from FØNX in the next six months?

Definitely more music, there’s a lot more to come. Maybe a couple of videos here and there too.





Finally, do you have a message for your fans?

Big up yourself! 👊





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That's all! I hope you enjoyed the interview, I certainly did. You can keep up with FØNX on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.


Until next time...



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