7 minute read
NIIX
IDIOTS GUIDE TO SURVIVING A HORROR FILM...
I’m NIIX (nɪks; Ancient Greek: Νῠ́ξ, Nýx, nýks, 'Night'), goddess of the night. When I’m not lurking in the shadows or bathing in the light of the moon, I’m making electronic pop music with infusions of club, inspired by the likes of SOPHIE, BABii and Shygirl.
Advertisement
What’s also very on-brand is my ever-growing, and some might say quite strange, obsession with horror films. There’s nothing like dimming the lights down low, pouring a glass of red and scrunching up on the sofa, armed with the cat, a cushion and, ideally, some company to hide behind when those spine-tingling moments strike. Like the rest of the world, I became hooked on Squid Game, which led me onto other Korean blood-curlers; The Wailing (a masterpiece!), I Saw The Devil (straight up bloodbath - not for the faint-hearted) and Memories of Murder (*spoiler* they never actually find the murderer - 132 minutes of don’t bother).
It’s hard to pinpoint the horror film to beat all horrors, as which route do you go down - classics or modern? It has to be said, there have been some pretty breathtaking films over the past decade that have stayed on the brain for weeks - Midsommar, It Follows, The Witch, Get Out… Or if we’re talking sleeping-with-the-fairylights-on-for-3-months, it’s gotta be the classic Paranormal Activities for me. But of course, the 70s/80s staples (terrifying then, pretty hilarious now) such as Nightmare On Elm Street, The Shining, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween etc.etc.etc. are, and always will be, in a realm of their own.
I’d like to think that after a fair few years now of yelling and shaking fists at the protagonist, who nearly dies several times but due to sheer fortune narrowly escapes, has racked me up a fair few tips and tricks
AWAY FROM THE NOISE NIIX
of how to avoid the zombie, the demon, or the psychopath who just won’t give you any personal space. And so, I offer to you my Idiot’s Guide To Surviving A Horror Film:
1. TURN THE LIGHTS ON
Seriously, why does no-one ever do this?
2. NEVER SPLIT UP
(Unless you either don’t particularly like the person, or they’re being long and you could do without anyway)
3 SHUT THE CURTAINS AND LOCK THE DOOR
Is there someone lurking outside your gaff, like in ‘The Strangers’? Or a weird replica of your family, like in ‘Us’? Then jeez, what are you doing? Get your face away from the window!
4. MIRRORS
Could be handy, could also
Words by NIIX
be a very obvious precursor to your death. Stop staring at your reflection and take a look at what’s going on behind you. Also don’t bend down to brush your teeth.
5. HAVE A BACK-UP CAR
(Why does the key always seem to fail in the ignition when you’re being chased?)
6. MOVE OUT
Oh, your house is haunted? Then er… just leave?
7. TURN AROUND
It’s always behind you!
8. DON’T GO IN THE BASEMENT
Seriously, this never ends well. Hear a noise? Ignore it. Ignorance is bliss.
9. AVOID REMOTE LOCATIONS
Sure, a cabin in the woods with your love interest or pals may seem like a cute idea in advance, but who’s going to hear your scream when the
10. CHARGE YOUR PHONE
Again, why do phones always die at the exact moment you need them? Keep ‘em charged honey. Get that old sturdy Nokia 3310 out and add your trustiest contacts only.
And so, there we have it. My idiot guide to surviving a horror film. Go forth and slay yee demons, I believe in you!
On Friday 3rd December NIIX is releasing ‘I: The Remixes’ EP, a collection of reworks of her debut ‘I’ from five of the most talented upcoming producers of the North West.
In the meantime, catch NIIX DJing at Melodic Distraction Bar on 27th November for Cartier 4 Everyone, and follow @iitsniix on all channels to stay up to date.
Photography by Andrew Benge
TOOLBOX PITCHING TO A LABEL
WITH CLUE RECORDS
As we round up artist toolbox for this year, we felt it necessary to ends things the way we started- with a record label.
Clue Records has been a staple in the Leeds music scene for nearly a decade now, releasing some of the best loud and local artists across the city.
I caught up with label mastermind Scott Lewis at Clue & Come Play With Me's shared HQ to talk about how best to pitch to a record label, and what they’re looking for in bright young talent.
WERE THERE ANY UNEXPECTED HURDLES WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED CLUE?
“I think for me it was connecting with an audience and understanding who they are - I just thought oh, trendy kids will like this [song] because it’s cool but how do you then get them to hear [the release]?
We were getting this young audience, but they weren’t the one’s buying records- it was the 6 Music dads giving us money, not the kids, so it was hard to identify our actual customer base. I tell you what, MCPS too. It’s a tax that you have to pay when you press a record and to be honest, I’m still not sure on it now- but I pay it!”
Well, they’ve got to be sound and people I get on with too- it’s not one of those where their music is good but they’re arseholes because that just won’t happen [on Clue].
A good belief system and ethics too - or if they don’t have that then being a bit aloof is just as good!”
WHAT ABOUT TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE WITH FLEDGLING BANDS? DOES THAT MATTER?
“I’m about getting there early and giving them support.
Helping to pick the right producer and bouncing ideas is all part of it- a raw live thing can be just as good as a decent demo.”
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR A BAND’S FIRST RECORDING SESSION?
“Demo it loads, share it with us and we’ll work out the right people to pair with you.
Oh, make a Spotify playlist too. Full of stylistic influences and stuff you like so we know what sound you’re going for production-wise.”
HOW DO YOU PREFER PITCHES?
“Dead simply and not too much fluff and all that.
I want a hello, maybe a bit of research about the label to show that you know what you’re on about and maybe use my name- a personalised email definitely cuts through quicker.
And tell me why you think label is a good fit. Is it a certain release we put out for you or a show you saw from us? Something like that- I suppose flattery is a start!
Then, just a link to a track or two on Soundcloud or YouTube and leave it alone. If I hear something I like I’ll do the research myself.
I don’t need to see or hear anything else, I just need the feeling that it’s mint.”
WHAT ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU GOT THAT FEELING?
“Allusondrugs sent us a demo years ago and I listened to it over and over to the point where I got a headache.
I had to send it to my mate and ask him: And he said no it’s mint, take a paracetamol and we went from there.”
WHAT’S COMING UP ON CLUE?
“We've got a huge project with The Wedding Present called 24 Songs where they're releasing a brand 7" single every month of 2022, their first brand new recorded music in ages & an anniversary of sorts from The Hit Parade singles club which they did 30 years ago. We've a brand new single from Bored At My Grandma’s House in early 2022, then we have YOWL’s album and Van Houten recording one at the minute too for next year.
Oh, and Team Picture are working on some stuff, and we’ve just signed a new artist on the label!”
Stay up to date on Clue
