LPX Talks Passions, Inspirations, and EP ‘Bolt in the Blue’

By: Shayla Lee

If you don’t think you’re familiar with LPX, chances are you actually probably are. Although LPX is Lizzy Plapinger’s latest project, she is one half of the duo MS MR and the co-owner of the record label Neon Gold Records, working with some of the top artists in the industry like HAIM, Charli XCX, Marina and the Diamonds, and Tove Lo just to name a few. Now you’re unsure if you’ve heard of MS MR? If you’re anything like me and spent seven years of your life trying to figure out who ‘A’ was along with the Pretty Little Liars, you will probably recognize the songs Bones, Hurricane, and Salty Sweet almost instantly.

After deciding to pursue a solo project with the goal of pushing herself out of her comfort zone, MS MR announced a hiatus and LPX was born. Her music is fierce, hard hitting, and will make you want to DANCE. Not to mention, Lizzy is also a straight-up badass who gave some pretty inspiring advice (crossing our fingers that her next project will be becoming a life coach!). We got the chance to chat with Lizzy about her new EP ‘Bolt in the Blue’, her passions, and Neon Gold Records- which began in her dorm room!

FEMME RIOT: Can you tell us about yourself and your music?

LPX: Music has always been my number one passion. I started a record label out of my college dorm room, Neon Gold Records and I’ve been running it with my best friend Derek Davies for the past 9 years (next year is our 10th anniversary!). I’m the lead singer in the electro pop band MS MR. And most recently I’m front my own alternative rock/pop solo project as LPX.

How would you describe your music in three words?

Aggressive, Vulnerable, Emotional

It must have felt completely liberating to begin a new venture going solo from MS MR. Can you tell us a bit more about this venture? How have you evolved as an artist?

I’d never made music before MS MR or with anyone besides Max so it was important for me to evolve as an artist by pushing myself out of my comfort zone and experimenting with other people in a sound/genre more closely aligned with the music I grew up on. I’ve always been deeply inspired by strong women in alternative rock whether it’s Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kathleen Hanna from Le Tigre, Shirley Manson from Garbage, Pj Harvey, Siousxie Sioux and the Banshees… And I grew up completely immersed and obsessed with indie bands like Bloc Party, Tom Vek, Interpol, TV on the Radio etc. So it was important to me to do something more band oriented in an entirely different lane to MS MR.

Not only are you a musician, you also are the co-founder of Neon Gold. Can you tell us a bit more about Neon Gold? We are loving the girl power!

Neon Gold has always been one of the most fulfilling parts of my life and greatest passions. My business partner Derek and I started it because there was a real gap where our taste fell… We loved music that was seemingly too quirky for top 40 pop but too accessible and hooky for the most indie alternative corners of the internet, that was our sweet spot. At a time when pop was a dirty word we wanted to reclaim the genre and create a new lane for true pop artists who have cohesive vision for themselves in their music and art. It’s so incredible now to hear those artists defining a new space for pop on the radio like Marina, Ellie, Tove, Haim, Mø, Gotye… the list goes on.

Have you faced any challenges being a woman in the music industry? Do you have any suggestion for young female musicians to overcome this?

If you take yourself seriously, so will others. It’s important to not walk on eggshells or pussyfoot around things. Stand your ground, be direct with others and go after what you want. You have to build opportunities for yourself and in the process be kind to the women (but really everyone) you meet a long the way. Trust your instincts.

If you take yourself seriously, so will others.

We are loving your singles! I listen to them at work and I want to leave and go to a dance party. Can we expect an EP from you soon? Hopefully we will see you in Vancouver soon!

Thank you so much for your kind words about the music! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. I’m so incredibly excited about this project and I truly feel I’m writing some of my best songs for this project. 

Anything we haven’t asked that you want to add?

Canada, and Vancouver especially, has been such a wonderful supporter of mine with MS MR and I can’t wait to come play shows out there and introduce people more closely to LPX.

Feel inspired now? Follow Lizzy’s Instagram and Facebook if you want your timeline to be blessed with vintage fashion, cool photography, and an aesthetic that screams 80’s. All photos were provided by Lizzy and taken by Eliza Soros. Be sure to listen to ‘Bolt in the Blue’ a listen below. It’s 🔥.