Just like the titular character of the 1985’s adventure movie whose name New Zealander Phillipa Brown (or simply Pip) borrowed as her stage name, Ladyhawke (the singer) is a mysterious force of nature. She’s been around since 2008, but by 2016 she’s only on her third record. And Wild Things sounds nothing like her previous efforts. While her older records were successful exercises in new wave and stadium-ready indie rock, the third coming of Ladyhawke is her most polished and hook-heavy release to date, which will easily please the pop music fanatics who can’t be bothered with the teen-oriented and often criminally uninspired releases of Ladyhawke’s chart-approved competitors.

To figure out what caused such a dramatic shift in her sound, as well as what inspired the record’s standout tracks, we gave Pip a call that resulted in conversation that went from advice on writing love songs to discussing the possibility of Ladyhawke (the character) teaming up with Xena.
 

Your new record is refreshingly happy. I suppose you were in a great place when you were making it, right?

Yeah, I was feeling really good. I got very excited making this new album.

So what have you been up to since 2012? ‘Cause that’s the last time we heard from you.

I finished touring my second album and moved from London to LA. I was working on music for quite a while, but it didn’t feel right. I wasn’t very happy and was in a bit of a bad place. So everything I was writing had quite dark tones to it. And I didn’t want to be constantly reminded of bad things whenever I listen to my music, so I stopped and decided to take a break. I ended meeting this producer guy Tommy English [BØRNS, New Politics, Robert Delong]. It wasn’t even for a writing session, it was just through a friend. And we really clicked and ended up making a record together. So I’m very glad I’ve put everything on hold.

Do you already know what you’re going to do with that “dark album” you ended up scrapping? Maybe give some of these songs to other artists?

I don’t think I’ll ever release it myself. I still got all the songs. I like them, but they’re too dark.

I bet moving to LA was a big reason why your sound got lighter. Just because of the sun.

Oh, exactly. The weather here is amazing and the constant sunshine can drive a lot of people mad, but I’m someone who’s affected by the weather quite a lot. So when it’s sunny outside, even if you’re feeling a little bit blue, it helps you. My mood is quite dictated by the weather.

And you also got married last year, so congratulations. Is that the reason you decided to open the new record with “A Love Song”?

Yeah, exactly. It’s good to finally feel grounded and stable. When you’re a musician you end up traveling constantly. So it’s nice to have something solid to come home to.

Is there anything you think an artist should avoid at all costs when writing a love song?

I’m not sure… I wouldn’t tell anyone not write anything. ‘Cause if someone wants to write something that I wouldn’t necessarily write, then they might be wanting to write it for a reason. Whenever someone falls in love and has bad experience and writes a song about it, they might be thinking that they wish they’d never met that person. And I always think that even if you did have bad relationship, it helps you grow and you should just leave in the past and move on.

Considering the record is called Wild Things, have you seen the '90s cult thriller of the same name?

Oh, yeah, I have. Neve Campbell!

The pool scene, right?!

Yeah, yeah, the famous pool scene. [laughs]

Do you have a sex song on the record that would fit into that movie’s soundtrack?

Maybe “Dangerous.”

Another song on the record is called “Chills”, so what personally gives you chills?

I get chills whenever I go to a movie and I see something that sort of blows my mind. Some scenes in a movie can give me goosebumps. Big emotional moments give me chills. The grand gestures of love, too.

There’s also a song called “Money to Burn.” What’s the best way to burn the money when you have extra?

[Laughs] This song is me talking about the culture of the wealthy youth, the trust funds and all that. Spending money on a car like Ferrari to me is burning money. Why would you spend so much on that? I don’t get it. I’m someone who’s always trying to find a bargain.

The album is filled with hooks and big choruses. What’s your favorite song to shout out in karaoke?

I’m not very good at karaoke. I don’t really have the confidence to get up there in front of people and do karaoke. All my friends are amazing singers and I think the song I end up doing is “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane. That’s the only karaoke song I do.

What was your favorite song when you were 13?

Probably Ace of Base's “The Sign.”

Brace yourself, ‘cause the next question is probably the one no one has ever asked you before. Considering your stage name is inspired by Ladyhawke, the movie, and your wife Madeleine Sami starred in an episode of Xena: Warrior Princess, who do you think would win in a fight: Xena or Ladyhawke? Or would they rather team up?

I would like to think they would collaborate and be friends and work as a team maybe [laughs].

Now that would be a very weird movie.

It would be, oh yes!

Should we expect anything weird from your upcoming US tour?

I will play most of my new album and some of the older stuff. Expect high energy hopefully. I’ve got a very great band at the moment, so I hope everything will be on point [laughs].

What else are you excited about this year?

I’m fully in the album promo mode now. I do look forward to going home for Christmas, but that’s a long time in the future. I get to hang out with my niece there—she’ll be two and I don’t get to see her very often, so I’m looking forward to seeing her in New Zealand. And I’m really looking forward to start touring again and seeing as many places as I can.

And finally, are we gonna have to wait four more years for the next Ladyhawke record? Because there seems to be a pattern here…

I know! No, I hope not, God. I hope it’s a lot quicker next time.

Okay, I’ll call you back in four years to check how many albums you’ve released by then.

Awesome!