Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
I’ve always been a creator, I’ve always had the need to do things slightly differently, to push myself past my own or other peoples’ expectations. There was never a moment of deciding, just gradual reinforcements along the way that I loved what I was doing, and that I needed to keep going and go further.
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
I’ve been making music and art my entire life. When I was 5 I sang in school concerts, and I always loved being on stage. I started music classes, I started playing the guitar, and started singing and fronting my first own band at 13. Then the focus turned to writing, and over the next couple of years I wrote for my bands, as well as writing for myself, started writing stories, musicals, short films, and essential for any project I could. I moved to London for my music degree, and have ever since been based in London, making music for a living.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
When I was 13, I wrote and recorded two songs, that became the foundation for my live set of originals. The reaction and receptions to those first 2 songs were one of the defining moments in my musical journey, and set me steady on the musical path, and steered me down on the road I am today.
The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
I am an independent artist. For me, I’m fighting to be able to continue to do what I’m doing, to create! At the end of the day, that’s all that really matters to me. The freedom to continue being me. It’s tough, I can’t deny that, and I always work to better. But I’m proud to say that I live in music, and it will only be better from here.
As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
Don’t be afraid of taking your niche to the extreme. It’s about being distinct, and relentless. You can’t do what other people are doing, so do what you are doing, just better. Of course, you need to get more eyes on what you are doing, whatever that is through ads, promotion etc, but the most important thing you can do is to be unique since that is what will make people stay, and connect.
Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
Can’t say I did. I spend the pandemic writing, planning, shooting, directing, and the fruit of that labour is what I can share with you now.
What makes you stand out as an artist?
My perspectives. You can take everything of me, my voice, my sound, my visuals, whatever it is. But my ideas, my mind, will go through everything I do. I have a tendency of twisting the way I look at things, to find ways that aren’t what you would expect, to question even the most obvious answers, which always will stay as my stamp on whatever I do. If you are willing to embrace that, then you are in for a ride.
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
A Way is the fourth chapter in my autobiographical suite of music, with the previous three parts; Reset, New Silhouettes and No Eyes In paradise came out last year. A Way is a cinematic electronic single that encapsulates a true moment in time, and is more vulnerable, and in some ways more personal than every before.
Talk me through the thought process of the new tune.
The song is based on a suicide attempt I witnessed where I talked a man down from jumping. This song dives into what I felt about the experience, and the uncomfortable feelings and thought it left me with about myself, who I am and what I stand for.
What was the recording process like?
I write, demo, and do all pre-production myself. This time around I worked with John McLucas, based in the US, over distance with all the post recording work, mixing, and mastering. We worked on finetuning some of the sound choices and sound design. Vocals were recorded on my own and then sent back and forth. I then took the track and self-directed, storyboarded and edited the music video, the artworks, pictures and all of the visuals.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tune?
I struggled for the longest time with the bridge here. While I had the skeleton for the longest time, it was not until literally weeks before recording that the bridge (2:27) finally fell into place. I think the lesson there is to not be afraid to revisit material and rework after long breaks. Coming in with a new emotion and perspective could be exactly what is needed.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I always strive to do better, but at some point, you just got to let go, since that time can be better used working on the next thing. So no, at this point I wouldn’t change anything.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
There are a million things, but you will have to wait I little longer for those… Right now, I just want to share A Way with you, and I hope you want to share it with me too.
A Way Pre-save (Out March 16th): https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/skardeline/a-way
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