Indie + Alternative culture appreciates new rising artists that create diversity and new insights within their respective genres. We constantly feature notable indie and alternative artists on the verge of success.
Meet this week’s featured artist in an exclusive New Music Friday interview. Introducing You To Your Next Favorite Artist: Skye Daru. Skye is a 17-year old recording artist/songwriter/producer from Chicago (now based in LA) as well as a Ford Model. She has at events including MobFest, Underground Club Chicago, and opened for Fueled By Ramen band Vinyl Theatre. We recently talked in depth with Skye about her take on alternative culture. Read on to learn more about your next favorite artist, and stream one of her latest singles below. |
What are your fondest musical memories?
Man, I can recall this moment as if it were yesterday. It was the Summer of 2014 when I remember standing barefoot, singing next to the legend behind the voice of Frozen’s Elsa, otherwise known as Idina Menzel. My friends and I were attending one of her concerts and halfway through, she begins looking for an audience member to sing “Take Me Or Leave Me” with her. The next thing I know, my friends are shoving me to the middle of the aisle and all of a sudden, I’m touching shoulders with Idina Menzel. It’s a good thing she took the mic back after the chorus because I definitely did not know that second verse aha! Turns out all of my neighbors and teachers were also there that day, so that was pretty cool.
Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener?
Usually I just tell people “anything, but country.” But if we’re getting specific here, I’ve been currently listening to a lot of alt/electronic pop…and soul, actually! Definitely into that whole lush pop/R&B vibe. Lately, I’ve been listening to artists ranging from Flume to Allen Stone to Majid Jordan to James Bay.
What is your creative process like? How do you approach the writing process? Is there a particular message or theme central to your creative works?
My creative process is definitely different every time. The process is all very natural and I thoroughly enjoy it that way, at least for now. Some days, I’ll have random lyrics pop in my head during calculus class. Other days, I’ll be like “that line is genius” and then go with the lyrical flow and lay down some piano riffs. Sometimes, I’ll find a song and start branching off its melodies/style. Often, I typically find myself taking standard chord progressions and giving it a jazz twist. I’m all about those Major7 chords haha. In studio sessions, I am definitely a sucker for writing verses/pre. When I first began writing at 14, my producer used to have me write down 10 concepts/1 song each week and now I finally understand why! It’s become a habit of mine, so much that the process has just become a part of my daily life. When I write, I don’t have to try to look for something that seems appealing; it just comes from my heart and I think it should be that way in order for music to be genuine and true to the artist. In terms of my central theme, I’m always an advocate for uniqueness and independence. A lot of what I write comes from just my experiences with being a typical high-schooler.
We're a firm believer that the cities that artists are based in helps craft their sound. How would you describe your city’s music scene? How has it inspired you into crafting your sound?
One word: jazz. I’ve been playing piano for my high school jazz ensemble for a couple years now and I can’t tell ya how much attending jazz concerts in Chicago has influenced my own music. I remember seeing Snarky Puppy, Duke Ellington Band, Wynton Marsellis, & Count Basie Band in concert and I was like “OMG, this is freakin’ amazing. Where have you been all my life?!” I owe it to my jazz studies for developing my skills for chord composition & improvisation and simply expressing the value of passion to me. Whenever I’m writing or composing, you can definitely expect some jazz vibes in the piano parts. Fun fact: My single “Romeo” is actually the result of me, altering Kanye West’s chord structure in “Heartless” to make it more jazzzzzy.
Hmmmm…great question! Simplicity. That’s it. I’m not one of those artists that have some profound, hidden meaning behind their art where the listener is just singing along to some message that no one truly knows except for the writer. I cut to the point. I want my audience to just see me—the uncut, raw, tall, slightly awkward me. A lot of what you’ll see, especially in my Camouflage video is just me, doin my thang in front of a camera.
As an indie artist in the digital age, social media and streaming are essential tools for marketing and promotion. What do you think about online music sharing, both as a music fan and as a musician? How do you think social media/music streaming services impacts the rising musician?
It’s because of social media and streaming that I am able to grow my fanbase and share my music to listeners all over the world. Not only does it immensely help with exposure, but I love being able to connect with other people in the industry and just share my passion with those who are looking for something good to listen. It truly is amazing to live in an era that allows you to instantly link with the other half of the world with just a click of a button. Accessibility and promotion is key.
What is your dream collaboration and why?
Ugh! I would absolutely die if I got to collaborate with Adam Levine. Love his music, everything from Sunday Morning to Payphone. That dude can put on a concert. I feel like the tone of our voices would totally synch together. And if we did an acoustic song like oh my goshhhh!! I like to think that I also have that vocal rasp he has going on. And I mean c’mon, it’s Adam Levine!
Which songs are you currently obsessed with? What new acts do you recommend to our listeners? What bands do you believe are your best kept secret in the indie community?
Three songs that I totally have kept on repeat for the past five months: “Jupiter” by Gallant, “On My Mind” by Moxie Raia, and “4ever” by LANY. Would definitely recommend any of these artists to the indie community!
What are you currently working on? Any new projects?
I am currently working on releasing some more singles this year! Really proud of my latest songs this year, “Camouflage,” “Wild Side,” & “Romeo,” but I’m also so stoked for the content I’m currently writing. Looking forward to some more writing sessions/meetings in LA this summer. Oh! And my listeners can also expect some cool EDM collabs/remixes coming out through the year.
Thanks once again to Skye for talking with us. If you like what you hear, be sure to keep up to date with Skye Daru via the following social links.
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