This weekend, I met up with the sweet, spunky and totally fun British singer and songwriter Neon Hitch via video chat. While recovering from a throat infection, Neon and I caught up to chat about her nomadic lifestyle that eventually brought her to Los Angeles where she is rapidly become one of the most sough-after pop writers. Neon also fills us in on her much-anticipated debut album "Beg, Borrow and Steal," and talks candidly about her friendship with Ke$ha and Amy Winehouse. (Neon shows the tattoo she got together with Ke$ha in the video.)
Born to a family of gypsies deep within the countryside in the south of England, Neon Hitch lived the life of a true free spirit. The young globetrotter spent her early years in a traveling circus with her family. A trapeze artist and fire swinger, Neon nurtured her inner performer early on in festivals throughout Portugal, Spain, France, and other parts of Europe.
After being Amy Winehouse's flatmate in London ("when things were really crazy"), she moved to the U.S. and ended up meeting producer Benny Blanco who has worked with Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Britney Spears, Santagold and many other pop artists. Neon and Benny forged a powerful songwriting partnership, which most recently resulted in Ke$a's "Blah Blah Blah" that the three wrote together.
American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi acknowledged Neon's talent and signed her to Warner Brothers Records to start performing her own music. Currently, Neon is putting the final touches on her debut album "Beg, Borrow and Steal," which will introduce us to the singer's unique brand of bohemi-pop and includes collaborations with Imogen Heap, Greg Kurstin, Jason DeRulo and Sia. A very eclectic and exciting line up of collaborators indeed!
Make sure to go see Neon in a town near you this fall when she will be touring together with 3OH3! and Miike Snow.
