ARXX

Name, where are you from?
We are ARXX. We met, formed, and live in Brighton. Hannah grew up in the middle of nowhere in Wiltshire and Clara grew up in Dubai, but the powers that be brought us together.

Describe your style in three words?
Infectious, fun, fierce.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Hannah: Seeing Conor Oberst and Kimya Dawson at End of The Road Festival. It was my first proper festival, watching one of my childhood idols with my best friend. Magic.
Clara: Florence and the Machine at Alexandra Palace. I went with my best friend from school and we sung every word. It was also my first concert in Ally Pally and I fell in love with it as a venue.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Kate Nash, because it was her music that made Hannah start writing in the first place. And HAIM, because they are unbelievably good live and they’re hilarious!

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Hannah: Grunge and Punk Rock both hugely influenced the way we play and write, especially bands like Nirvana, The Runaways, and Patti Smith. For me, queer culture is really important. From being queer, I’ve learned more about strength, resilience, and authenticity than from anything else. This helps me when I write, to say what I mean without censoring myself for anyone else’s approval.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Hannah: Dolly Parton. We’d paint each other’s nails and sing songs about heartbreak and betrayal.
Clara: P!NK. I think it’s the only way I’ll ever to get to meet her!

Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Both: Playing Concorde 2 in Brighton for the first time was also a huge moment for us, we’ll never forget it, any Brighton band will tell you what it means to stand out on that stage.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Both: Alex Parks, from Fame Academy. ‘Maybe That’s What It Takes’ was a total banger. We want more Alex Parks!

Brighton punk duo, ARXX, are vocalist and guitarist Hannah Pidduck and drummer Clara Townsend. Championed by NME and BBC Introducing among others, their latest album 'Wrong Girl, Honey' is out now.