From The Chicago Burbs to The Dance Floor: The Rise of PIXEL GRIP
Photography by: Riley Valentine
Every morning, I start my day with a playlist of songs that help me to get going. Pixel Grip's "Bet You Do" blasts through my car speakers, and I hope my friends and I will get lost in the electric beats and mesmerizing lights of a Modern Wav concert. It's like we're all part of a giant music box. The lyric "Baby, why you seem so dark? That's cuz you're standing in my shadow" has become my mantra.
Can you imagine the excitement when the iconic anthem 'ALPHAPUSSY' plays? The Modern Wav team is thrilled to announce that Rita, Tyler, and Johnathon will deliver some heavy beats on April 6th
Photohraphy by : Riley Valentine
Thank you for being a part of the Modern Wav lineup for the 3rd edition. I'm interested in hearing about how you came to work with Health and joining their tour.
For some context, the three of us are some corn-fed midwestern kids from the suburbs of Chicago. The first time I had been to LA was for Substance 2021. I didn’t really know anybody yet, and I think I accidentally crashed Jonny’s after-party. I realized that I was kind of being chaotic, so I decided to go up to him and be like, “Hey, I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Rita from Pixel Grip, and I'm here with some friends. I didn't mean to crash your party but thank you so much for having me”. He was really cool about it and instantly was like, "Make yourself at home"! I wonder if he learned about us from that interaction or maybe from Substance 2022, but I heard he was talking about Pixel Grip in one of his livestreams as something he had been listening to lately. So, I think he asked us to open up for him because he genuinely likes the music, which is so sweet, touching, and affirming. HEALTH is absolutely iconic, and it's such a huge honor to share a stage with them.
I am curious to learn more about the song "ALPHAPUSSY". This club banger gets people going on the dance floor. It's a hit every time the opening hook plays. I want to know Pixel Grips's initial reaction when the song became popular.
“ALPHAPUSSY" was designed to get attention. At the time of recording 'Arena,'’ I think I felt unseen. I was watching so many people go viral or get a lot of attention for their music that just wasn’t happening with our project. I thought a lot about an interview that Lady Gaga did where she said that when she started to notice the crowd getting bored, she would start to take her clothes off. I started to implement that ideology. if there were a lot of people talking, I would just scream a blood-curdling scream off the mic, and it would instantly silence everyone in the back. I wanted to do that digitally as well on our Spotify page; I wanted an attention grabber. A piece of clickbait to lure audiences to our music. We lure you in with a completely unhinged title like ALPHAPUSSY, and then, as you listen to the record, you realize that there is a lot of depth and substance within the project. However, that’s not to say that ALPHAPUSSY is a joke song; I think it's a serious banger. I think it makes people feel sexy and empowered, and I hope people keep popping their pussy to it for a long time to come.
Going on tour can be a thrilling experience filled with adventure and fun. However, long hours of travel can be quite monotonous for musicians. It gives them a chance to reflect on their music and upcoming projects. I'm really interested to know what Pixel Grip has planned for the future.
A lot went down since ‘Arena’ and instead of going to therapy, I’ve been processing everything through songwriting. Bad for me, good for you, I guess. I’ve written a lot of music, and a portion of it has been selectively recorded. I can’t say for sure what’s next for us, but I can absolutely promise you some more music that is the best work of my life and something that I am extremely excited to share. I can also say that there is a headline tour in the works for late 2024. US and beyond? We shall see.
I have had the privilege of seeing Pixel Grip perform in a small club, but now, I and many others will enjoy their music on a much larger stage like the Modern Wav platform. What is Pixel Grip most excited about for the upcoming night?
As a band, we’ve played so many small rooms, empty rooms, basements, etc. Our climb to success has been a humbling one. The feeling of playing on a stage with a proper sound system and plenty of space never gets old and is something we have massive gratitude for. But not only that, we get to play alongside artists we look up to in fucking SAN DIEGO. The fans in San Diego are unmatched - the energy there is so ferocious and effervescent. So the thing that I’m most excited for is the joy, the feeling of belonging, the feeling of community. Sweating, dancing, and the feeling of release. I get so lonely here in Chicago and have a lot of steam I need to blow off. I can’t wait for the collective catharsis of the show.
Music is always prevalent in my daily routine. What song is currently playing on the Bluetooth speakers of Pixel Grip?
I'm attempting to get jacked for the tour, and the place I consume the most music is the gym. I need music that makes me feel sexy and horny, and empowered when I work out. Here’s a little glimpse of my gym playlist:
Work it (Soulwax Remix) - Marie Davison
Drugs in the Bathroom - xjermsx
Girl Crush (ft. Rico Nasty) - Boyz Noise
Stamina - Pixel Grip
Experience the unique vibe of San Diego as it comes to life with the Modern Wav music event. On April 6th, Health, Panther Modern, Pixel Grip, Street Fever, and Baby MAGICK will perform at the Music Box, making the city even more special. This is a chance to immerse yourself in a dark underbelly filled with fans of electronic music and alternative aesthetics. Don't miss out on this opportunity to witness the magic of Pixel Grip's performance and be a part of this unforgettable experience. Secure your tickets now before they sell out, and be a part of the action!
