Cortney Dixon has always had music running through her veins. As a kid, she made up songs and played her Barbie violin before she even knew what a career in music could look like. But it wasn’t until the final years of school that the realization hit—there was nothing else she wanted to do. “It became really obvious,” she says. “I just did not want to do anything else.” With the unwavering support of her parents — who never had the chance to chase their own dreams — Dixon threw herself into music, and she hasn’t looked back.
Now, with a new EP recorded in her own Newcastle studio, Dixon is stepping into her boldest era yet.
The Sound of Rebellion
Last month, Dixon dropped “You Look Good Naked,” the first single from her upcoming EP. It’s a riotous, punk-infused anthem that sets the tone for the entire project. “This EP has a more cohesive and punky sound than anything I’ve done before,” she says. “I spent ages getting the guitar tones just right — lots of fun, scrappy, fuzzy sounds.”
Dixon draws inspiration from the raw energy of Blondie, The Clash, The Go-Go’s, and Siouxsie and the Banshees, blending it with the modern bite of The Strokes. The result? A fearless, guitar-driven sound that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh.
Stripping It Down
At its core, You Look Good Naked is about confidence, empowerment, and self-love. But the idea didn’t come from a self-help book — it came from a wild night out. “I’d had this instrumental kicking around for a while, but it needed a strong subject to make it feel solid,” she explains. That’s when a spontaneous trip to a strip club with her best friend turned into unexpected inspiration.
“I met a girl named Daisy who worked there, and she was telling me how much she loved her job — how empowering it was to embrace her body and show it off,” Dixon recalls. “I loved the idea of that. Imagine feeling that free, that liberated in your own skin.” And just like that, the hook was born — OMG, YOU LOOK GOOD NAKED.
Turning Up the Volume
For Dixon, live performance isn’t just part of the job — it’s the heart of it. “Performing live has always been my favorite thing,” she says. “That’s when the songs feel most alive.” Every track she writes is crafted with the stage in mind, built to explode in front of a crowd.
When she’s not tearing it up onstage, she stays connected with fans through social media, her mailing list, and—most importantly—music videos. “I LOVE making music videos,” she says. “Releasing regular video content helps me stay in touch with everyone, and it’s just another way to bring the songs to life.”
Staying in Her Lane
Navigating the music industry as an artist means constantly facing pressure to fit into a mold. But for Dixon, authenticity is non-negotiable. “If something doesn’t feel natural to me, I can’t do it,” she says. Over the years, she’s had industry figures try to reshape her to fit trends, but she quickly learned that chasing someone else’s vision only leads to confusion. “Everyone has a different idea of who you should be. It detracts from the music. So now, I stay in my own lane, do what feels good to me, and ignore the rest.”
Her musical influences reflect that same spirit of individuality — PJ Harvey, St. Vincent, HAIM — women who own their sound, their image, and their evolution. “I find them so inspiring,” Dixon says. “They’re constantly evolving, and that’s what I want for my music too.”
SXSW and What’s Next
Dixon’s first SXSW was a whirlwind of performances, new faces, and unforgettable moments. “Obviously, I’ve loved all the shows,” she says. “But meeting so many new people from all over the world who’ve come to see us? That’s been really special.”
Next up? A brand-new single dropping on March 28th, followed by a UK tour supporting another band in April, and a summer packed with festival dates. And later this year—an EP that promises to be her most unapologetic work yet.
