Like Melbourne’s Phia, I was interested to see Björk writing last year about the criticism female artists face when they write music that departs from exploring relationships and touches on atoms, galaxies, or activism. I’m also thrilled that Phia used Björk’s comments as a songwriting challenge. While she face backlash? Who knows, but she’s delivered “Oxide” anyway!
With her words in mind, Phia read of scientists who discovered 60,000-year-old bacteria inside subterranean caves in Mexico. “Oxide” is told from the perspective of that ancient micro-organism. It definitely thinks outside the box of acceptable female songwriting, but that’s a big part of its appeal.
“Oxide” comes from Phia’s EP The Woman Who Counted The Stars, which will drop on September 29. The EP’s title refers to astronomer Vera Rubin, the first scientist to quantify dark matter. To celebrate its release, Phia is playing throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and here in Australia in the coming months. Catch her at the following venues.
16 September 2017 – The Gladstone, Brighton
17 September 2017 – The Betsey Trotwood, London
20 September 2017 –Café Galao, Stuttgart
21 September 2017 – Die Wohngemeinschaft, Cologne
22 September 2017 – FZW Das Hochste Der Gefuhle Festiva, Dortmund
25 September 2017 – Tonfink, Lubeck
26 September 2017 – Norgelbuff, Gottingen
29 September 2017 – Anlangencafe, Schwabisch-Hall
30 September 2017 – Rang Teng Teng, Freiburg
1 October 2017 – Hafen 2, Offenbach
6 October 2017 – Moritzhof, Magdeburg
7 October 2017 – Badehaus, Berlin
12 October 2017 – Kramladen, A-Wien
13 October 2017 – Fumreif, A-St. Georgen
30 November 2017 – The Old Bar, Melbourne
2 December 2017 – The Newsagency, Sydney
3 December 2017 – The Grace Emily, Adelaide
8 December 2017 – The Flying Cock, Brisbane
9 December 2017 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra