Penelope Pettigrew “BiConic - The Remix”
Following the rewarding journey of Penelope Pettigrew’s iconic single “BiConic,” the remix version sees a blossoming rebirth of the uplifting anthem. Juicy, pulping guitar riffs kick start the song in a vibrant blend of swirling sonics. Mixed by the Aria award-winning DJ, Mind Electric, the remix stirs a sensory celebration that sweeps you off of your feet.
Inspired by Pettigrew’s coming out journey, “BiConic” celebrates authenticity and love in the fiercest way and sends a love letter to the Bi+ community that Pettigrew calls home. Life before coming out was in black and white, and life after is vibrant and flamboyant. When the Bi+ community welcomed Pettigrew in with love and passion, she realizes that there is a place in the world where she is celebrated for who she is. Knowing how misrepresented and invalidated the community historically has been, Pettigrew sends a needed message through “BiConic.”
Following the initial release, the Mind Electric remix turns up the heat with ground-shaking beats and multi-layered, deliciously vivid sonics. Swirling between modernity and aesthetics, the infectious EDM is pumping and dazzling, providing an immersive live experience. Mind Electric definitely has an interesting take on the original track. Instead of following the form, his remix pushes back the vocal to climax, presenting it as a surprise in next-level built-up. The new version sheds new light on the original track, giving it an excitingly different taste and mood. The Radio Version then strips those dynamic elements away and elevates it to be the most atmospheric.
Initially released in 2022, “BiConic” has earned its place all around the world. With the single, Pettigrew launched her sold-out debut headline show at Universal Night Club in Sydney. At the main stage of Fair Day, Mardi Gras 2023, “BiConic” was one of the songs in Pettigrew’s 20-minute set. Her headline set, BiCONIC EVENTS, at Pleasures Playhouse, was again sold out. Pettigrew will be performing the Mind Electric Remix as part of her 25-minute headline set for Flow, a Queer Brazilian Punk Party at Oxford Art Factory.
The Mind Electric Remix and Radio Edition have been selected as one of the theme songs for the 45th Mardi Gras Parade that took place on Oxford Street, for the Bi+ Visibility Float. Check out our interview with Pettigrew where we talked about her music journey and her coming-out experience.
Punk Head: We have previously covered "BiConic" during the song's debut radio release and are again amazed by this eclectic remix. The song feels very special to us like we are all growing as the track is introduced to bigger stages, so tell us a little more about yourself between now and then.
Penelope Pettigrew: Thank you so much, I’ve had the most amazing time between the release of the radio edit and the remix and it just keeps getting better. The day the radio edit dropped on September 16th, I played my debut headline show at Universal Night Club on Oxford Street to over 230 people. I performed a one-hour set of my music, joined by my producers Cressbrook (Matt Riley & Lunar Martins), as well as 30 dancers from Ev & Bow. It’s hard to put into words how much this night meant to me, the audience response was overwhelming and more than I could have imagined!
Once the song and the film clip came out I was approached by Booshu Records to collaborate on the remix, we began working on that while I was recording top lines for DJ’s with my producers.
Cut to the beginning of this year where everything hit at once; two of the top lines I had recorded came out within a couple of weeks of each other, Raw Diamonds by Maddix, a hard style DJ and Attention by James Alexandr, a house DJ. These have seen my Spotify numbers boost in a big way and I’ve been seeing footage of Raw Diamonds being played to thousands of festivalgoers all over the world. It’s such a crazy feeling!
Then we get to Mardi Gras, I played a 20-minute set on the main stage for Fair Day, performing five of my originals with my producers and four of my dancers, the crowd response was incredible! We also performed for the Mardi Gras Long Lunch hosted by Poof Doof, headlined for the sold-out BiCONIC Mardi Gras After Party, headlined for FLOW, a queer Brazilian funk party at Oxford Art Factory, as well as opening for the fashion exhibition for Francisco Alcazar - an eco couture designer. To top all this off, James Alexandr invited me to sing our song Attention during his set on the main stage of the Hordern Pavilion for the Mardi Gras After Party.
I was also incredibly honored to not only be on the Bi+ Visibility float for the Mardi Gras Parade, but to also have our float marching to my song BiConic!
That was an incredible feeling and meant so much to me.
I am now about to play my set with my dancers for the Mardi Gras Awards at the Roundhouse on April 6th.
PH: What inspired you to write music in the first place?
Pettigrew: I’ve been singing and writing music since I was about 7, there is something about music and singing that has always captivated me. I’ve been through different evolutions of my writing over the years but have been always inspired to write about the human experience, whether it’s my own experience or someone else’s.
What I’ve always loved about music is its ability to echo emotions that we can’t put into words, and how it can join us in dark places and comfort us. How it can lift us up, put us back on our feet, and give us the fire back that we need to keep going. How can it give us permission to embrace and celebrate our individuality? This is what music has given to me and what I hope my music gives to the people who listen to mine.
PH: We can definitely feel the spark of freedom shining through your music. What was the pivotal moment in your artistic journey?
Pettigrew: The pivotal moment in my artistic journey also aligns with a pivotal moment in my personal life. I came out as bisexual in 2019 after leaving a long-term relationship, once I came out and started living more authentically everything rapidly evolved; like a plant that’s been neglected, dying in a dark corner suddenly blooming to life when it’s given the love and nutrients it needs to grow.
After I came out I started going to Universal and singing at the open drag nights (Slay for Pay and Sunday Shenanigans). They welcomed me with open arms, and that space of love and celebration gave me the confidence to explore my aesthetic and express myself more freely on stage.
Then I was invited to a songwriters camp run by a dear friend Justine Eltakchi, this is where “Straight Until…” was born. This song changed the game for me, it’s pretty much a cheeky play-by-play of my coming out story.
From there I met my producer Cressbrook and wrote Fuck Boi, Jelly, and Biconic and we have a couple more songs that will come out this year.
After spending years feeling stuck and frustrated personally and professionally, coming out was the best thing I ever did. I’ve been able to produce music that empowers and reinforces my listeners to back themselves and keep slaying, which also helps me to do the same.
PH: What’s your goal this year?
Pettigrew: The goal this year is to be on the road and overseas, my team and I have been working our juicy butts off tightening our set and after this massive Mardi Gras season, we are ready to take it places. Connecting with people through my live shows is my favorite part about what I do, no other feeling tops it for me… not even sex hahaha.
PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?
Pettigrew: Well firstly, I’d love my fans to know how grateful I am for their support, hearing about how they connect to my music and what it means to them gives me strength and encourages me through my dark times.
I’d like my fans to know that I am all about encouraging them to connect with their authentic selves, the world needs this now more than ever, we are safer and stronger in numbers, so the more we can stand together and encourage each other the better off this world will be.
Now some fun facts about me, I don’t drink coffee, and I love tea. I’ve been a vegetarian since late 2018, I’m hopeless romantic and I always find a song lyric or a movie/TV show quote to relate to conversations I’m having - which can be funny but also makes for some wonderfully awkward moments haha =)
