New Music Alert: Polly Pocket "Dead Pixel"
IHTBD's resident sampler and keyboardist steps into the spotlight
On the live music scene in Wichita Falls, keyboardist and sample wizard Polly Pocket uses her musical talents with Sean Snyder’s It Hurts to Be Dead, and we recently talked about the ethereal, otherworldly sound she adds to that project, but Pocket had a surprise for everyone. She had been working on a secret solo album, Dead Pixel, which she dropped in late March 2024.
Dead Pixel is electronica, and as the name implies, it pays strong homage to the 8-bit music of video games of an era past, mixed with contemporary beats and samples. Drake interpolations and Britney Spears samples make appearances on Dead Pixel, and the end result is a mixture of wondrous musical exploration mixed with “Oh, I remember that video game,” and “I loved that song!”
We ducked into Polly’s DMs to ask her a few questions about Dead Pixel.
There's an obviously strong "chiptune" vibe to your sound. Can you tell us about your genre?
Chiptune is a tribute to nostalgia. I intentionally cast the sonically simple as transitions to connect a wide audience and keep things fun for me. Related genres: gamewave, hyperpop, synthwave, electronica, electronic, synth-pop. I’m also influenced by hip-hop percussion, alt rock progressions, and avant-garde —experimental.
You said Take THAT and When Galaxies Collide were your first two songs ever. When did you originally write them?
Around 2007 — my prime MySpace days. Like all teenagers, I knew everything. Sometimes, that made song-making easy-peasy. I performed both songs live and occasionally appeared on the same bills as some of my would-be-bandmates in It Hurts to be Dead. My musical moniker was LOL @ yr BF! during that era. People remember me as Polly Pocket. I’ll always be that until I get a cease and desist letter from you know who.
Is this the first time you've recorded an album?
Two prior albums: NICOBICO from 2009 and LOVESHOCK from 2015. NICOBICO is mostly instrumental and is on Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp now. LOVESHOCK is half instrumental and it’s only on SoundCloud and Bandcamp now.
You recorded Dead Pixel live?
I mixed live recordings of synth sequencers, drum machines, and vocals; used samples of retro video games, vintage computers, crunk vocals, and Britney Spears; with virtual instruments, fx, and the beat goes on…
In your own studio?
I composed and produced Dead Pixel from various locations, but all in one studio — Fruity Loops. The studio is wherever the laptop goes.
You're a member of It Hurts to Be Dead, but do you have any further plans as a solo artist?
Happy you ask! Three incredibly original and talented individuals just joined forces for Polly Pocket. Joey Lester (Spinning in Circles) on guitar, John Cameron (Mommy’s Little Monster) on drums, and Nick Williamson (Better Strangers) on bass. Their undisputed skills and respect as Polly Pocket fans opens a portal to a place that feels like therapy. When and if the universe deems fit, Polly Pocket will grace the stage again!
Take a listen to Dead Pixel and tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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