New Zealand artists have been on a hot streak of late. Think Lorde, and Broods. Plus The Naked and the Famous, Broods, Gin Wigmore, Ladyhawke and Kimbra. There’s no shortage of talent bubbling away in the Land of the Long White Cloud, and not all of fits the pop-and-rock mold. Enter, Quix. The newcomer has spent the past two years shaping tracks for Heaps Cool, a showcase of his signature wonky trap.
Quix’ Dim Mak debut EP is a “great reflection of my progress as a producer; getting inspiration and support from other artists,” he tells Billboard.
Each track on Heaps Cool has a story,” recounts Quix, “whether it would be the crazy amount of changes that happened to ‘Alpaca’ that made it the track it is today, or the short amount of time I had before deadline to finish ‘Four Letter Lie’ from scratch within a week.” Billboard exclusively premieres the six-pack EP today (May 26).
Quix has comfortably made the leap to the U.S. without leaving behind his roots. The EP takes its name from “pure New Zealand-Australian lingo and how we referenced certain things,” he explains. “I’m not a fan of the Kiwi accent sometimes but Americans seem to love it.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re based in New York or New Zealand, in today’s tech-connected world, talent “will be recognized,” he explains. “It doesn’t matter where you come from, if you’re passionate you will grow and you will succeed.”
Having ditched his full-time job, Quix found his feet when he toured the U.S. for three months (“the craziest thing I’ve done in my life so far”) and he’s committed to doing “more crazy things” in the next couple years. In recent months, he played Dim Mak’s Miami Music Week event at RC Cola Plant, delivered sets at SXSW, Miami Music and Middleands and collaborated with vocalist Nevve on “Riot Call,” which dropped in April and appears on Heaps Cool. His live commitments include sets at EDC Las Vegas, Electric Zoo, and Paradiso and there are more remixes and collabs to come. “So stay tuned,” he insists. “This is only the start.”
Stream Heaps Cool below.