User:Mxmckenzie/sandbox/Pik'n'Mix (Band)

Pik'n'Mix (Band)
Pik'n'Mix (previously known as "Pik'n'Jazz") are a British acoustic-pop group formed by Leigh Matthews in Swindon in 2016, consisting of school-friends; Aaron Chumber, Connor Newdick, Holly Morris and Millie McKenzie. Pik'n'Mix got their name from their unique musical style of combining and 'mixing' popular songs and performing with a blend of traditional pop instruments, world instruments along with vocal harmonies.

After their success in the Battle of the Bands November 2016 at Swindon Academy, Pik'n'Mix 's popularity grew within the community and they continued to perform at a variety of different events across Wiltshire.

Performance History
Pik'n'Mix's early performances consisted of various community events including Swindon Academy's ' Christmas by Candlelight 2016'  and Swindon's Art Showcase in March 2017. Growing their audience, it wasn't long before Pix'n'Mix started to perform larger venues including Swindon's Wyvern Theatre (Performing at Swindon Academy's Gym and Dance Display), WrdeUp Festival 2017 in Highworth, Fellows Day at Kelmscott Manor and The Swindon Lions Fireworks Spectacular and Fair at Swindon Polo Grounds. Towards the end of their time in college, Pik'n'Mix entered and won several competitions including their biggest successes; Avebury Rocks Young Artists Competition (allocating them a spot to perform at Avebury Rocks Music Festival 2018) and BTEC Awards 2018 Showstopper Challenge (winning them a national award as well as a performance spot at the annual BTEC Awards held at Central Hall in Westminster and presented by English Journalist and TV Presenter Steph McGovern). They also supported headline act Led by Lanterns during Swindon Academy's ABC Week Music Festival held in Ashburnham Place and completed an interview for Swindon's 105.5 Radio before having their cover of Katy Perry's ' Firework' played on air.

Studio Recordings
During their final months studying together at Swindon Academy, Pik'n'Mix recorded a cover album featuring some of their best work. Recording took place inside Swindon Academy's very own studio and the process was lead by band member Millie McKenzie and supported by Sound Technician and Engineer, Luke Thompson. The album was never released and it is not certain if they will release any tracks, however the members still have the original recordings from 2018.

Band Formation
Pik'n'Mix are popular for their unique band formation because it is not often that one musician stays on one instrument for an entire set and they are known for swapping instruments throughout their performances.

Instruments that each member have performed during sets include:

Aaron Chumber: Backing vocals, ukulele, glockenspiel and percussion.

Connor Newdick: Lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, bass guitar and percussion.

Holly Morris: Lead vocals, backing vocals, ukulele, cajon and percussion.

Millie McKenzie: Backing vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, bass ukulele, cajon and percussion.

However, their most common set up consists of lead vocals, backing vocals, piano, glockenspiel, acoustic guitar, cajon and percussion.