In Conversation With 26fix at LA Benefit Show

On Feb. 13, The Depot hosted SLC Loves LA. The all-local show featured five Utah artists, and all proceeds went to assist people affected by the recent LA wildfires. Columnists Elizabeth Griffee and Maci Monaghan spoke with 26Fix lead singer Erika Goodwin backstage before her band’s kick-off performance. 

Nostalgia and “Psych-pop”

Goodwin was born in Salt Lake City and grew up in Logan. She originally sang for Logan-based indie band Brother, before releasing her first single “A Pickle” as 26Fix in October 2021. Since then, 26Fix has released five additional singles and has gained over 30k monthly listeners.

26Fix has an irreplicable sound. Goodwin sings light-hearted lyrics with profound interpretations using unique vocal effects layered over a backtrack that transcends genres. Blending inspiration from the likes of hyperpop, funk, indie pop, electric and riot grrrl, 26Fix makes instantly recognizable songs that bridge the gap between eccentric and widely appealing.

Goodwin says that the genre she would ascribe her music to is psychedelic pop.

“Psychedelic influences are huge for me—I love Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard,” Goodwin said. “I like to bring in different elements of psychedelia but make them more fun and accessible through pop.”

Goodwin layers up-pitched vocals over echo-y reverb and delay in singles like her 2022 release “Peggy Paradise” to achieve this 70s-era psychedelic sound. She has always been heavily involved in the production side of this distinct sound, but for her upcoming EP self-production is at the forefront of her work.

Goodwin said, “I love collaborating with different engineers who are also producers, but with this latest EP, I really learned to trust my instincts and lean into production more.”

26Fix blends their eclectic sound with bold visuals, pairing singles with abstract cover art and Y2K-inspired camcorder music videos that match their light-hearted sound with fun plotlines and aesthetics. For Goodwin, this is grounded in playful nostalgia.

“As a kid, I used to make videos and have my siblings act in them. We had an old camcorder that looked just like the one in the video,” Goodwin said. “So now, in the content I create, I try to channel that same playful and fun energy—nothing too serious. I think I do that with my music as well.”

Sugarcoating Experiences with Playful Lyricism

26Fix subverts this playful energy with lyrics that have a deeper meaning, delivering compelling stories through her light-hearted music. Their 2022 single, “She Hit Me First”, tells the story of a breakup Goodwin went through from the perspective of her ex-boyfriend. Goodwin sings,

“He always had this victim mentality,” Goodwin said. “So in the song he's singing, She hit me first, like he was trying to paint himself as the victim. There are some playful jabs in there—like when I sing my mama’s eyes, it’s referencing how much of a mama’s boy he was.”

Goodwin said, “People often get confused because they assume I’m singing from my own perspective, but it’s actually from his.” 

She also shifts her writing angle in 26Fix’s most listened-to song, “Stone Killer.” Goodwin sings,

Goodwin said, “Stone Killer is written from the perspective of different male leaders in history, specifically cult leaders and even some biblical figures who used their power to manipulate others. The song is from their perspective—they think they’re these powerful, untouchable figures, leading people to follow them.”

Goodwin mimics manipulation tactics commonly by this archetype, such as gaslighting:

And obsessive, sexualizing behavior:

Goodwin plans on releasing her first full EP sometime before this summer. She said her new music shifts from mellow-upbeat indie vibes to heavier punk-inspired sounds. Her biggest inspiration being Australian punk rock band Amyl and the Sniffers.

Goodwin said, “It touches on all kinds of rock—some heavier, some softer. This next one is going to be a little heavier.”

Subverting difficult experiences through the creative power of music is what songwriting and production is all about for 26Fix.

Goodwin said, “If you go through something painful, like a heartbreak, writing a song you love can help you heal so quickly. It’s like putting a little piece of yourself into the world and feeling better because of it.” 

Check out the other interviews from The Depot's SLC Loves LA show here