Myxi Bun swings by Happy to offer a peek behind the bunny mask, and some insights into her unique artistry.
It’s only the second week of 2024 and already we all need a vacation. Thankfully, Myxi Bun has provided the next best thing with Bitch, I Need a Holiday, a slice of tropical resplendence that offers a much-needed getaway in sonic form.
The single arrived late last year, and sees the Eora/Sydney producer draw upon electro-pop, tribal chants and fizzy ambient beats.
We were hooked on Holiday upon our first listen, so we caught up with Myxi Bun to dive deep into the new single, the impetus behind her unique and anonymous music persona, and her unyielding desire to “ to express myself in a creative form.”
Catch our full interview with Myxi Bun below, and scroll down to listen to her new single, Bitch, I Need a Holiday.
HAPPY: What are you up to today?
MYXI BUN: For once I feel I did something interesting tbh… I drove back from a new years Doof. The morning sun woke me up by threatening to bake me alive in my tent.
It forced us to pack up before cooling down in the river (clothing optional) and drove home from the serene wilderness to the chaotic Sydney traffic.
I then helped my friend wash his cat (the cat sadly has a horrible skin condition). I’m now sitting on my friends couch, wet cat cleaning itself next to me while I borrow their laptop to write this… I’m anxious I wouldn’t get this done in time for publishing….
HAPPY: Tell us about where you are from? What the scene like in your neck of the woods?
MYXI BUN: The area I grew up in was considered pretty povo when I was growing up there. The high school I went to was so terrible it was going to close down the year before I was sent there. The area is now gentrified and the rent as sky high as the giant unit blocks they have constructed.
Its odd to watch a place that used to be shunned be taken over by glistening new buildings, some of the run down shops still are squeezed in-between, waiting to be squeezed out like a blocked pore.
My humans and scene still lurk there though, pushed slightly further out due to high rent but continuing to live in overcrowded share houses and barely legal warehouses.
HAPPY: Describe an average day?
MYXI BUN: I set my alarm for work, which starts too early for a slug like me, then I snooze my alarm so many times I have 10 minutes left to rush my clothes on, throw dog food in my Greyhound’s bowl before chucking breakfast in my own bowl.
I shove my breakfast down my throat while driving to work, I scribble on eyeliner in the car before running into work and signing in, perhaps if I’m lucky, just on time.
I survive work, attempting to avoid having any colleagues talk to me about their infants. I hide at the back of a gym class before going home, slumped on my carpet floor I fiddle with Ableton on my laptop.
My dog snoozes behind me on my bed, legs in the air like a dead cockroach. I plan to go to bed ontime but never do. I tuck myself and my greyhound into bed and set my alarm, I dread how little hours it tells me I have before I have to wake up again.
HAPPY: What are your earliest musical influences, and how did they shape your decision to pursue a career in music?
MYXI BUN: My earliest memories are of singing boring droning hymns at church… reading the words off the beige projector.
Perhaps then singing Mozart in latin with the church… bored by the sheet music and not understanding the point of singing nonsensical words.
Being surrounded by the strict rules of classical music and intolerant attitude of the church to anything unique made me think I hated music.
Only after finding dark modern music before turning my interest to electronic did I start enjoying it. Classical music, particularly choral, still influences me though. I think that can be also shown most recently in my song “dying flesh”
HAPPY: How do you feel you have evolved as an artist from your early days to the present, both in terns if your sound and your approach to creating music?
MYXI BUN: It’s hard cuz I don’t feel I have been making music long enough yet, I started by making visual art when I was a younger.
Lots of my musical evolution has been simply attempting to learn the program I use “Ableton live”. Its felt like such a slow progression its difficult for me to see my development… I think others can see my improvement more than I can.
My approach changes depending on the song, sometimes I have an idea before taking forever to figure out how to create it logistically into a track, other times I start with a drum beat, chord structure or melody.
It’s a slow and often tedious process but it’s also always a great puzzle to attempt to solve.
HAPPY: The track “Bitch, I need a Holiday” is quite self explanatory, but could you delve deeper into the inspirations and emotions that led you to create this tropical escape-themed song?
MYXI BUN: I easily feel stuck and claustrophobic. I felt I wanted an escape from the place and situation I was in but had no way to do so. I was also subconsciously inspired by Kygo, I grew up listening to his tropical house.
He says tropical house was inspired by Norway, his home town. He describes Norway as “very cold” and “raining a lot” causing him to think “about the beach and summer”.
I think sometimes when you are stuck somewhere you create your own escape. Just like Kygo I was daydreaming about being in a tropical wonderland.
HAPPY: You have a unique backstory involving Myxomatosis. How did this concept of Myxi, the pastel demon bunny, come about, and how does it influence your artistic expression?
MYXI BUN: I scribbled the design of the mask on a scrap piece of paper stumbling into my room after a rave. I then slowly constructed the mask (after many iterations) and the back story developed. I am fascinated by disease and medical conditions.
The myxoma virus, being purposely introduced to Australia in order to infect and therefore kill the destructive European rabbit population, is such a reflection of humans’ ability to make horrific mistakes but then attempt to harness nature against itself.
I’m a sick little bunny so it was the perfect persona to express myself through.
HAPPY: The concept of psychologically escaping the daily grind through music is fascinating. How important is the connection between your mental state and the creative process, especially in crafting a track like “Bitch, I need a Holiday”?
MYXI BUN: Every track I create is inspired by my what’s going on in my life, what I’m feeling and my mental state . I’m not so good at expressing myself with words, I need to express myself in a creative form.
It might be a little easier if I didn’t have to write an entire song to process my thoughts and feelings, but art has always been that for me…. Its how I have learned to cope
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HAPPY: Can you walk us through your creative process when producing tracks on Ableton? How do you decide on the sound design, and what role does your greyhound play in your creative space?
MYXI BUN: I have a concept, maybe some lyrics or tune or I start with a drum beat, melody or chord structure with sound design I like.
I then continue to develop the track by finding more sounds which fit that space for me, for this track obviously tropical sounds to build that world.
In my song “fuck you cunt” I used samples of bones cracking, splitting and sharpening a knife in a drum rack to illustrate my aggression.
My greyhound keeps me company, he is lovely and chill, sometimes grumbling when he is unhappy with a sound but always getting pats when I need a break. Making art alone can be isolating, having a pet makes you never feel truly alone.
HAPPY: You mention keeping your true identity a secret, never showing your face, and adopting the persona of Myxi Bun. How does this dual identity impact your artistic expression, and what led to this decision to remain anonymous?
MYXI BUN: I think it helps me be more honest and raw. I struggle with expressing my true thoughts and feelings in words, having a mask makes it easier for me to do this.
The mask also protects me in my real life, I don’t risk losing my real job by writing violent songs or tracks about Ted Bundy…
HAPPY: Your lazy retired greyhound is mentioned as a companion during your music-making process. How does the presence of your furry friend contribute to the vibe of your creative space?
MYXI BUN: My room when I was a teen was red and black, walls covered in my art which was often dark and disturbing.
My current room I have tried to make lighter, its pastel themed like everything I wear, I have plants and a rug that reminds me of moss or grass.
My furry friend is silent but always with me, he is such a gentle giant. I am a massive scatterbrain so do my best to minimise distractions.
HAPPY: What can we expect next from Myxi Bun? Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or themes you’re excited to explore in your future releases?
MYXI BUN: I have a song finished and I’m hoping to get it out in February… I’m a bit behind schedule though so we will see if I’m able to get it out on time.
I am also playing my first proper live gig Feb 4th at Staves brewery. I have continued to procrastinate, but I absolutely have to get my shit together and practice more!
Chasing shadows is also working on a remix for “bitch I need a holiday” it’s currently sounding amazing!
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HAPPY: Lastly, what makes you happy?
MYXI BUN: I’m not sure, but I’m always seeking. I like making music and art, dancing and exploring with my friends, discovering and learning about reality.
Happiness is frustratingly fleeting but I constantly am attempting to improve myself, hoping it will make me happier.
Photos by Michael Muir.
