Change is scary. No one knows this better than Lizzy Plapinger, the co-founder of Neon Gold Records and the artist behind LPX and MS MR, but she would also tell you that change is empowering and brings out the best in you, especially when it comes to making creative, original content.
After achieving great critical acclaim as an artist in her own right, Plapinger realized she wanted to do more to uplift fellow musicians. And despite her fears and doubts, she co-founded Neon Gold Records, which has launched and supported artists like Charlie XCX, Ellie Goulding, Icona Pop, Christine and the Queens, and many of your other favorites!
Being open to whatever life throws out her and finding creativity in the uncertainty, Plapinger has shown us that our dreams are just around the corner. That is if we learn to respect our uniqueness, commit to our authenticity, and remain intentional even on the more challenging days.
You took a step back from your early success as one half of the electro-pop duo MS MR to reconsider your career and reshape it around your own passions. Take us back to that moment—was it a tough decision to make? What advice can you share for other artists and creatives who are struggling to follow their passion?
It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. I was so scared of letting people down, but to stay in something out of fear of change isn’t a reason to do anything. The artists I most admire, in all mediums, are fearless both inside and outside of their work. So, I knew I had to commit to myself honestly, and that meant making an unconventional choice and changing gears, even if it meant starting over. If you’re not happy creatively, artistically, professionally, and personally, you need to ask yourself why. And then you need to do something about it.
Where you are is where you’re at. Don’t wait for a perfect moment to present itself because there isn’t one: you just have to jump in and go. So do it now. Do it thoughtfully, and do it intelligently. You are in charge, and it is possible to change yourself and your life as many times as you desire. You’re in the driving seat and ultimately you’re accountable to yourself.
Following the release of your much-lauded second EP, “Junk of the Heart”—which led some in the industry to deem you “the American Robyn”—you recently released “My Best.” Can you talk us through the creative process for creating this EP? What was the overarching message you hoped to portray with your uplifting yet vulnerable lyrics?
This year has been unconventional. And navigating releases through it all has been, at times, impossible, but at others, life-saving. I wrote “My Best” before the pandemic, and I had honestly never intended to release it. But I kept going back to it, and it became a comfort and almost a comical mantra I would repeat to myself. I decided not to be precious about it and put it out in the hopes that it would lift others up like it did for me.
I now see it actually really fits this body of work of empathetic anthems. There’s tension in every song between wanting to escape yourself or a situation and ultimately a return to oneself with a new understanding. Something of an “it’s ok not be ok” soundtrack. The third LPX EP was meant to come out this year, and it’s hinged on and off how tumultuous my life, the world, and my emotional state has been in 2020. I’m now going to wait for a few more pieces to come together before releasing it next year. It’s not what I planned, but nothing this year really was, and that’s ok. I’m just doing my best.
As the co-founder of the indie label Neon Gold Records, which has released albums from powerhouse artists like Ellie Goulding and Charli XCX, you’re championing women and giving them a platform in a male-dominated industry. How are you making a difference and pushing the music industry forward?
At Neon Gold, we pride ourselves on finding, supporting, and sharing artists that continue to re-define the pop landscape with their own unique POV and artistry. That 10-plus-year commitment has led us to work with some of my favorite artists of all time, and it’s an honor to be a footnote in their journey. It inspires and motivates me to continue to see how the next generation evolves, how they’re directly inspired by the very artists we started with, and to create something entirely new and not heard before. I’m as blown away and excited by music today as I was when I was a teenager. That sincere level of fandom and passion has allowed me the opportunity to be a professional cheerleader for the future greats, and I take that role to heart.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
This year has mostly felt like bouncing between pockets of emotional extremes and that ride has been exhausting. But in my best moments, I’ve been able to harness my creative energy into new mediums like painting, sculpture, sewing, design work, video editing, photography, etc. which has all been such a huge new collective point of inspiration!
I feel like I’m starting to bring a more holistic view and approach to LPX—one that involves all the things I’m interested in at once and really building an environment and world in which each detail continues the conversation of the pieces alongside it. I don’t know yet how it will all fully unfold and come together, but I’ve rekindled a sincere sense of curiosity and wonderment that seems to be igniting other projects as an extension of the art and music I’m making as LPX. That return to such pure artistic wonderment and joy in the day-in and day-out details is something I now prize as a great success and gift from this year.
Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
I’m fortunate in that I’ve always had a certain level of confidence (some might even call it arrogance lol) but only because I really believe in and stand by my taste, opinions and vision. It’s so easy to let the cracks of insecurity spread or other people’s opinions infiltrate or sway your own but screw that. Your POV is what defines and others and that’s where your power lies. I truly believe everyone has it IN them to be confident and that it’s necessary for success, but confidence manifests itself in a number of ways. It’s not always about being the loudest or boldest person in the room (unless that’s who you are, and if so, right on) but quiet confidence is just as effective! It starts with knowing, being honest, and respecting yourself. start there.
When you separate yourself from your job title and the bells and whistles of your business or career, who are you and what do you like to do?
I’ll admit, there isn’t much separation between who I am and what I do. I tend to naturally merge my interests and work as one when and where I can. I’m a serious vintage shopper obsessed with the hunt with no real discernible difference between “stage” and “off-stage” outfits. I love dive bars and games like pool, darts, and bowling which are regular pit stops and activities on tour. I love sci-fi books and Korean cinema and they both usually show up in and influence my writing and creativity. My newest hobby rollerblading, which I do almost daily, is the perfect physical outlet while I listen to new demos or mixes for notes for either Neon Gold or LPX. And my greatest love, New York City, is the natural backdrop and backbone to everything I make, enjoy, do, and who I am.
How have you remained true and authentic to who you are and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that?
I try to respect, revere, and learn from those around me but not let it eclipse what I as an individual have to offer, feel, and believe. It sounds cliche but I earnestly believe what makes you different is what makes you irreplaceable. Also, surround yourself with friends who call you on your shit.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
It usually most immediately results in a few dirty martinis and going dancing with friends. But once that’s done, I try to reframe failure as a lesson. Why didn’t something work? Did I genuinely give my all? What are the metrics I’m using to define success or failure? It’s easier said than done, but most of the time, failure comes down to your perspective and it’s not usually a complete loss. And the answer is usually to quickly move on, stay the course, keep my head down, and do the work. I mostly believe success is a game of perseverance and patience. You’ll see this over and over in your life: It’s not always the people who are the best at what they do who succeed; it’s the people who continue to stick out the failures, and don’t give up.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
It can be hard, especially in 2020, to continue to stay inspired and motivated. I’ve learned that it’s ok to lean into downtime and not fighting the blues can actually lead to getting over it/through it quicker. But, I can also almost always rely on art (not junk) to pull me out. Being intentional about what I’m reading, watching, listening, drinking, and eating had an enormously positive effect. When I treat myself like garbage, it only makes me feel more like garbage. Below are some things that brightened my year when I needed it most:
BOOK: Stories of Your Life & Others by Ted Chiang who is an amazing sci-fi short story writer! It’s like a more hopeful Black Mirror.
FILM: The Handmaiden, an INCREDIBLE Korean/Japanese erotic psych thriller that is visually one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen.
ALBUM: Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Look, classics are classics for a reason, and this is the closest I’ve come this year to actual soul-soothing.
DRINK: Melanthia Sparkling Rose, a juicy, effervescent, Greek-natural wine that tastes like adult Capri Sun. Every drop is joy.
EAT: Ramen. And if you’re in NYC, Ramen Ya specifically. I sort of feel like Ramen cures everything.
ACTIVITY: Rollerblade. Seriously. It’s like running/dancing on wheels and is guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now— what advice would you give yourself?
To always trust my instincts, and stick to my gut. I’d like to think I did—and do—this, but I certainly fell victim to trusting others more than myself sometimes, and I had always regretted it in the end.
Fill in the blanks:
The best career advice I always give is…
Treat everyone you meet with respect, generosity, and kindness. You will meet again.
I turn bad days around by…
Doing something nice for someone else.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
Better compensation for artists, writers, and producers from streaming services.
My perfect day begins with…
A good song. Currently “Confirmation” by Westerman.
The craziest thing I’ve done for work is…
Nothing I wouldn’t do again.
Following the release of your much-lauded second EP, “Junk of the Heart”—which led some in the industry to deem you “the American Robyn”—you recently released “My Best.” Can you talk us through the creative process for creating this EP? What was the overarching message you hoped to portray with your uplifting yet vulnerable lyrics?
This year has been unconventional. And navigating releases through it all has been, at times, impossible, but at others, life-saving. I wrote “My Best” before the pandemic, and I had honestly never intended to release it. But I kept going back to it, and it became a comfort and almost a comical mantra I would repeat to myself. I decided not to be precious about it and put it out in the hopes that it would lift others up like it did for me.
I now see it actually really fits this body of work of empathetic anthems. There’s tension in every song between wanting to escape yourself or a situation and ultimately a return to oneself with a new understanding. Something of an “it’s ok not be ok” soundtrack. The third LPX EP was meant to come out this year, and it’s hinged on and off how tumultuous my life, the world, and my emotional state has been in 2020. I’m now going to wait for a few more pieces to come together before releasing it next year. It’s not what I planned, but nothing this year really was, and that’s ok. I’m just doing my best.
As the co-founder of the indie label Neon Gold Records, which has released albums from powerhouse artists like Ellie Goulding and Charli XCX, you’re championing women and giving them a platform in a male-dominated industry. How are you making a difference and pushing the music industry forward?
At Neon Gold, we pride ourselves on finding, supporting, and sharing artists that continue to re-define the pop landscape with their own unique POV and artistry. That 10-plus-year commitment has led us to work with some of my favorite artists of all time, and it’s an honor to be a footnote in their journey. It inspires and motivates me to continue to see how the next generation evolves, how they’re directly inspired by the very artists we started with, and to create something entirely new and not heard before. I’m as blown away and excited by music today as I was when I was a teenager. That sincere level of fandom and passion has allowed me the opportunity to be a professional cheerleader for the future greats, and I take that role to heart.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
This year has mostly felt like bouncing between pockets of emotional extremes and that ride has been exhausting. But in my best moments, I’ve been able to harness my creative energy into new mediums like painting, sculpture, sewing, design work, video editing, photography, etc. which has all been such a huge new collective point of inspiration!
I feel like I’m starting to bring a more holistic view and approach to LPX—one that involves all the things I’m interested in at once and really building an environment and world in which each detail continues the conversation of the pieces alongside it. I don’t know yet how it will all fully unfold and come together, but I’ve rekindled a sincere sense of curiosity and wonderment that seems to be igniting other projects as an extension of the art and music I’m making as LPX. That return to such pure artistic wonderment and joy in the day-in and day-out details is something I now prize as a great success and gift from this year.
Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
I’m fortunate in that I’ve always had a certain level of confidence (some might even call it arrogance lol) but only because I really believe in and stand by my taste, opinions and vision. It’s so easy to let the cracks of insecurity spread or other people’s opinions infiltrate or sway your own but screw that. Your POV is what defines and others and that’s where your power lies. I truly believe everyone has it IN them to be confident and that it’s necessary for success, but confidence manifests itself in a number of ways. It’s not always about being the loudest or boldest person in the room (unless that’s who you are, and if so, right on) but quiet confidence is just as effective! It starts with knowing, being honest, and respecting yourself. start there.
When you separate yourself from your job title and the bells and whistles of your business or career, who are you and what do you like to do?
I’ll admit, there isn’t much separation between who I am and what I do. I tend to naturally merge my interests and work as one when and where I can. I’m a serious vintage shopper obsessed with the hunt with no real discernible difference between “stage” and “off-stage” outfits. I love dive bars and games like pool, darts, and bowling which are regular pit stops and activities on tour. I love sci-fi books and Korean cinema and they both usually show up in and influence my writing and creativity. My newest hobby rollerblading, which I do almost daily, is the perfect physical outlet while I listen to new demos or mixes for notes for either Neon Gold or LPX. And my greatest love, New York City, is the natural backdrop and backbone to everything I make, enjoy, do, and who I am.
How have you remained true and authentic to who you are and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that?
I try to respect, revere, and learn from those around me but not let it eclipse what I as an individual have to offer, feel, and believe. It sounds cliche but I earnestly believe what makes you different is what makes you irreplaceable. Also, surround yourself with friends who call you on your shit.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
It usually most immediately results in a few dirty martinis and going dancing with friends. But once that’s done, I try to reframe failure as a lesson. Why didn’t something work? Did I genuinely give my all? What are the metrics I’m using to define success or failure? It’s easier said than done, but most of the time, failure comes down to your perspective and it’s not usually a complete loss. And the answer is usually to quickly move on, stay the course, keep my head down, and do the work. I mostly believe success is a game of perseverance and patience. You’ll see this over and over in your life: It’s not always the people who are the best at what they do who succeed; it’s the people who continue to stick out the failures, and don’t give up.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
It can be hard, especially in 2020, to continue to stay inspired and motivated. I’ve learned that it’s ok to lean into downtime and not fighting the blues can actually lead to getting over it/through it quicker. But, I can also almost always rely on art (not junk) to pull me out. Being intentional about what I’m reading, watching, listening, drinking, and eating had an enormously positive effect. When I treat myself like garbage, it only makes me feel more like garbage. Below are some things that brightened my year when I needed it most:
BOOK: Stories of Your Life & Others by Ted Chiang who is an amazing sci-fi short story writer! It’s like a more hopeful Black Mirror.
FILM: The Handmaiden, an INCREDIBLE Korean/Japanese erotic psych thriller that is visually one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen.
ALBUM: Kind of Blue by Miles Davis. Look, classics are classics for a reason, and this is the closest I’ve come this year to actual soul-soothing.
DRINK: Melanthia Sparkling Rose, a juicy, effervescent, Greek-natural wine that tastes like adult Capri Sun. Every drop is joy.
EAT: Ramen. And if you’re in NYC, Ramen Ya specifically. I sort of feel like Ramen cures everything.
ACTIVITY: Rollerblade. Seriously. It’s like running/dancing on wheels and is guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now— what advice would you give yourself?
To always trust my instincts, and stick to my gut. I’d like to think I did—and do—this, but I certainly fell victim to trusting others more than myself sometimes, and I had always regretted it in the end.
Fill in the blanks:
The best career advice I always give is…
Treat everyone you meet with respect, generosity, and kindness. You will meet again.
I turn bad days around by…
Doing something nice for someone else.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
Better compensation for artists, writers, and producers from streaming services.
My perfect day begins with…
A good song. Currently “Confirmation” by Westerman.
The craziest thing I’ve done for work is…
Nothing I wouldn’t do again.
