Words by Art Jefferson
Images courtesy of Manic Pixi
New York City band Manic Pixi reflects the very example of what it means to take varied musical influences, place them in a blender and stir them together, with the outcome being a true collage of styles married in perfect union. This is also a testament to their family-like environment that has been instrumental in the group’s groundwork rising and progression. Comprised of vocalist Kat Hamilton, Marshall Biever, Emmett Ceglia and Drew Bastian, Manic Pixi is everything great and hopeful about the new sound of alternative and pop punk.
Based in Brooklyn, Manic Pixi released their 2014 debut LP Sugar Bomb!, an energetic and racing package of raw punk, streaking alternative, glam and fiery noise. The album’s wide range of sounds were not only ear-grabbing but attention-holding. Kat Hamilton delivered multiple vocal patterns and textures like a figure skater gracefully gliding the ice whilst wowing the audience with skillfully executed maneuvering. The vitality in the music also transferred to their live shows which were balls of energy splashing with a tsunami’s force of power.
For their sophomore LP Iron Heart, Manic Pixi went back to the studio, coming together like perfectly fit pieces of a puzzle, pumping out a sound that is more refined, polished and just as impactful. Self-reflecting on some of the songs, Kat Hamilton was in optimal mode, with Biever, Ceglia and Bastian all deliverying cohesive and utterly brilliant instrumentation. Chart-friendly, the new record is the band’s most accessible work to date, with each tune powerful enough to stand on it’s own. This is a family affair and the new album proves that they are musically and personally closer than ever.
From what I’ve read, Manic Pixi is more like a tight-knit family. How did you all actually meet?
Kat Hamilton – We definitely are! Emmett (drummer) and I met in our college’s poetry club. We were both slam poets at the time. After we had been trying to get the band off the ground for a few months, we were short a guitarist. My vocal coach referred me to Marshall as a good fit. Whats funny is that I went to see him play and thought she meant the other guitarist in the group! Then at our first rehearsal with him, this floppy haired kid walked in and I did my best to pretend that he was the one I thought I called. About a year later, we met Drew at a show on tour. He moved to New York a few months later and called me. There was one night we had a drunken slumber party and in the morning him and I screamed our faces off to all of My Chemical Romances’ ‘Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge’. I realized that he was my perfect soul angel and he joined the band.
You all grew up with very different musical likings and tastes. When Manic Pixi initially formed, were there any creative conflicts or did those musical differences actually enhance the process?
Kat Hamilton – Emmett and I had the most stark creative differences to overcome and it was bit rocky at first. The first year we were always arguing. But our differences became an amazing asset to the music. I started to love the way he would have ideas I could have never thought of on my own. The rest of the guys too. They have incredible approaches to writing music that inspire me to step out of my comfort zone.
Kat, you wrote about the difficulties that you faced when moving to New York City which was a part of the inspiration for ‘Childhood Self’. What helped you to remain steadfast throughout the obstacles?
Kat Hamilton – My first year in NYC was insanely turbulent. I know that’s not exactly a unique story. What got me through was the band. I know it’s cliché but anytime I couldn’t take it anymore I would pour my energy into our music.
Your first album Sugar Bomb! truly demonstrated the versatility of sound and vocal styles that you all have. There was everything ranging from raw punk, pop rock, alt, glam and even noise. You were definitely not scared to just go for it. Can you talk about the process and ideas that went into recording that LP?
Kat Hamilton – Recording Sugar Bomb! was so scattered. We were all shocked that it turned out great. Everyone recorded separately from one-another. The album was passed off to three different mixing engineers. It was all chaos. I would love to say that Sugar Bomb! was this amazing collaborative effort, but it was more like lemons into lemonade. Despite the insanity, I still rock out to that record. I’m happy you like it!
The next album Iron Heart, whilst still quite diverse, also reflected an even more polished sound from the band. Was that just the natural evolution of the band? Also, were there any differences in terms of recording setups between the two albums?
Kat Hamilton – Iron Heart was the exact opposite process. It was streamlined and smooth all the way. I adored recording IH because we were all in the studio together. I think you can really hear the way we worked together to make something beautiful. Iron Heart felt like a the natural next step for us. It’s a bit more modern and influenced by post emo and progressive music. There’s also the addition of Drew’s musical sensibility. I feel like he really elevated our sound from our Sugar Bomb! days. Also we took it easy on the vocal distortion this time.
Kat you are also a great live on stage. Were you always a natural performer or is that something that you consciously worked on over time?
Kat Hamilton – Thank you! I started performing at six years old. I always wanted to be on stage. The tough part was finding out how I wanted to apply that love. Once Manic Pixi started up, that was when the work really started. I started training to be a better frontwoman and hone my craft. So I guess the natural part was there all along, but becoming the Manic Pixi was a pretty brutal adjustment. I’m still working at it constantly.
You all are also strong supporters of the LGBT community. What are your thoughts on the horrific incident that took place in Orlando and what do you think are some steps to help bring people together through these chaotic times?
Kat Hamilton – Words cannot express the sadness I felt, how the whole band felt- after the shootings. When Orlando happened, I felt like most important step was making space for Latinx voices to grieve. Bringing people together is about giving people safer spaces. Giving those who need it their microphone to speak their truth. In addition to community building, I feel like legislation needs to step in to truly make a difference. There isn’t a reason in this world someone should be able to walk into a nightclub with a gun and shoot people. It’s unacceptable.
A division of ideas between the people in terms of where the country of England should be going in the future were clearly displayed with Brexit. The same thing is happening in America with the presidential running, as well as the ongoing situations with the police. I have noticed that some artists are trying to speak out on some of these topics, but do you think more could actually touch on them, or do we put too many expectations on artists to talk about current social climates?
Kat Hamilton – Artists should absolutely speak up! But they should also treat their words as the powerful tool they are and not be careless. I speak up for my queer community because I am privileged to be in a position to without any threat on my safety. I always speak from a place of acknowledging my privilege and I know the MP boys feel similarly. Also, don’t vote for Trump okay? Just no.
Finally, what’s forthcoming for Manic Pixi throughout the rest of the year?
Kat Hamilton – We have so many cool opportunities on the horizon, but a lot of it is still a work in progress. Lots of tours, NYC shows, and a few surprises too. I’m looking forward to a Brooklyn show we are playing next month. We are opening for The Dollyrots at Sunnyvale!
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