ARXX are on a mission to spread queer joy: the sort that they longed to see when they were younger, and that they’ve been increasingly visible champions of since emerging with their first material half a decade ago. It’s a message that’s always been a core tenet of the Brighton band, formed of vocalist Hanni Pidduck and drummer Clara Townsend, but that’s become progressively more loud and proud as the duo have explored and embraced their own identities. And, following a concentrated period of monumental growth - both as a musical unit and, crucially, as people - second album ‘Good Boy’ arrives as a bright and brilliant testament to this journey.
“This album is queer in its very nature; everything about it is queer and you can’t get away from it,” smiles Hanni. “The songs are very personal, and a celebration of being who you want to be in whatever way that manifests, and being fucking honest about it. By the time you get to your thirties, you think you should know yourself by now. But actually, you continue to learn about yourself the entire time.”
Formed back in 2017 after a mutual admiration for the other’s playing led the pair to finally attempt a shy first rehearsal together (“We’re both so awkward, but when we met we felt safe with each other instantly,” says Hanni), ARXX have been on a path of sonic self-discovery since those first days. Starting life as an “angry punk band”, it would take a few years of playing on bills that never felt quite right for them to take a step back and reevaluate. “We kept getting put on shows with bands that were lovely but they weren’t our music,” says Clara. “A big turning point was when we discovered MUNA. We became obsessed with them and how they were really cool and pop but with a rocky undertone. We realised that we’d outgrown where we started.”
Leaning into their pop side, and citing luminaries such as Maggie Rogers and Charli XCX as other influences, last year’s debut LP ‘Ride or Die’ saw the duo blossom into an evolved form. Revelling in sparkling melodic hooks as well as the riffs that still give their live show a jolt of electric energy, the process was a lesson in never limiting yourself to be one thing. “When we play live we’re still heavier than your average pop band, but I think that’s exciting,” says Hanni. “Then on record, we have a lot of freedom and we don’t inhibit ourselves. When I’m writing I really care about feeling euphoric and happy, even when it’s a sad song. The world is progressively becoming a shit-fire so you just want to give yourself a break and an excuse to have a good time!”
The 18 months since the release of their debut, meanwhile, have been a rollercoaster for the band. Full of objective highs including a bucket list slot supporting MUNA (more on that later), a beautiful experience supporting Fletcher on an all-queer tour where they “found their people”, and a charity ARXX & Friends single - released in aid of trans collective We Exist and featuring pals such as Phoebe Green, CLT DRP and Merpire, there were also moments of difficulty. Ahead of the Fletcher tour, Hanni had to undergo surgery for a polyp on their vocal chords. Put on vocal rest for a fortnight, the first day they were allowed to sing was on the opening day of the run, playing to 2,500 people. Throughout it all, meanwhile, both Hanni and Clara were going through periods of real personal change. Hanni came out as non-binary, and Clara - raised in Dubai, where homosexuality is still illegal - fully began to embrace her own queer identity.
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