Rave it up with Roxy
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Bangkok sees the violinist pair with DJ Andy Norman for the first time tonight
The Hed Kandi crew returns to Q Bar tonight with essential sun-kissed summer house grooves in one of their biggest-selling party series, Beach House, to celebrate their 10th year in Ibiza. Hed Kandi veteran Andy Norman will be on the deck accompanied by lovely violinist Roxy P.
Norman was in the founding line-up for one the world’s biggest dance-record labels. He started working with co-founder Mark Doyle in 1999 hosting small local events and coming up with ideas for compilation albums. That’s when Hed Kandi was born.
London-based Roxy P – real name Roxana Pope – adds cute looks to a flashy yet subtle musical style. She can improvise on any stage or lead a full orchestra in the studio, where she produces and engineers her own material.
We asked her via e-mail to play us a tune.
What are you fiddling with?
I get up to all sorts! I play in an all-female house-music act called House of Angels – last month we performed at the Chelsea private members’ club Raffles.
And recently I performed with the Urban Soul Orchestra at the US ambassador’s residence in London where the First Lady [Michelle Obama] was a guest and at Battersea Park for [Queen Elizabeth’s] Jubilee celebrations.
I played solo for the Duke of Kent and recorded for Beetroot Music and the BBC. I also get to do TV work, playing with artists on X Factor, the BBC, “This Morning”, etc, which is always really fun.
Another major musical outlet for me is writing my own material, which I’m now heavily focusing on, and I’ve been busy collaborating with some great producers.
You started early on the violin?
Yes, I come from a musical family. Both of my parents are pianists and I have various other links in music through other family members.
I started learning classical piano at three and violin at seven. I always knew I’d become a musician, but I wanted to play the cello, not the violin. But my family didn’t have a car at the time and my mother refused to carry a cello around on the buses, so she said it had to be the violin or nothing!
Did you like electronic music even back then?
I listened to a lot of classical music as a child and also a lot of pop. In terms of electronic music I’ve been heavily influenced by my older brother, who’s one-half of the dance-music act NAPT.
One of my most vivid memories as a young child was watching my brother produce music in his bedroom. I’ve watched him win numerous awards, and having his knowledge and expertise around me for so many years has been great grounding for my career.
How did you get involved with Hed Kandi?
I’ve always followed the brand and loved what they do. About a year ago I was looking at all the DJs and musicians online and noticed that there were no violinists on the roster. I thought to myself, “They need a violinist” and sent them an e-mail. The rest is history.
What’s your violin style?
I trained as a classical violinist but I’m influenced by lots of different music – jazz, pop, dance.
In electronic music, lush violin melodies work really well during a breakdown, and I love these points in any track because I get to make the hair on the back of people’s necks stand on end! Riffy movement works really well, too.
When I tell people I play violin to house music, some are shocked – until they hear it, and then they’re like, “Yeah, okay, that really works!”
How’d you get set up with Andy Norman?
This will be my first time performing with Andy, which makes the whole experience even more exciting – performing on the other side of the world with a world-renowned Hed Kandi DJ. Amazing!
You have any dream collaborators?
One of my friends has toured with De La Soul and I’d love to do that! Also, a tour with Beyonce would be a dream! Others on the list include A-Trak and Annie Mac.
Excited about Bangkok?
Ridiculously excited! I’ve been to Thailand before and immediately fell in love. I love the atmosphere, the warmth of the people, the weather and the lifestyle. When I was younger I wished I could somehow live out there.
Fate has it now that I’m lucky enough to return to do the thing that I love – play music!
BOX
Mind sweets
Hit the Hed Kandi party tonight at Q Bar on Sukhumvit Soi 11.
Entry with two drinks costs Bt700.
Find out more at (02) 252 3274 and www.QBarBangkok.com.
