Trixie Whitley

Trixie Whitley, a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, entered the world on June 24, 1987, in Ghent, Belgium, as the child of singer and songwriter Chris Whitley, an origin that launched her musical lineage ahead of schedule. Drums came into her hands by the time she reached ten; at eleven she crossed Europe with assorted theater troupes; at fourteen she acted, sang, and danced alongside Les Ballets C de la B; and before leaving her teens she worked the turntables at raves and festivals. Appearances on multiple albums by her father also marked those early years. At seventeen she moved back to New York City, took a job waiting tables, and instructed herself on guitar and piano before long performing her own material in live settings. While shuttling between New York and Belgium she cut a first EP, The Engine, co-produced by Me'Shell Ndegéocello and Dougie Bowne, which surfaced in 2009. That year she also entered Daniel Lanois' Black Dub alongside Lanois, Brian Blade, and Daryl Johnson; the quartet issued its self-titled album in 2010. Solo full-length sessions began in 2011 yet were set aside so she could tour with Black Dub. An in-concert EP, Live at Rockwood Music Hall, arrived in 2012. Fourth Corner, her first complete studio album, reached stores in January 2013; she co-produced it with keyboardist Thomas Bartlett, also known as Doveman, and engineer Pat Dillett, who together formed the nucleus of her band. The record earned widespread praise and considerable European airplay, prompting Whitley and her musicians to perform across both Europe and North America in support. She was named Best Female Artist at the 2013 Belgium Music Industry Awards. In spare moments she turned again to new material, completing an album only to set it aside after finding it unsatisfying. Fresh sessions followed with co-producers Gus Seyffert (Beck, the Black Keys) and Joey Waronker (Atoms for Peace, Ultraísta). The resulting Porta Pohemica, titled after a former rail line between Germany and Austria, appeared independently on Strong Blood Music.