Interview with Skyler! posted by Ki

How do you feel about not having a label/ doing more of the promotion stuff yourself? Are there pros and cons to it? Having a label is nice because it immediately exposes your music to many more people. One of the nice things about not having a label, though, is that I'm able to connect on a more personal level with my fans.

Has music been your dream ever since you were little?? Yep! Ever since I was first introduced to the music of the Beatles when i was 3-years-old.

How did you get into the music business? Did you love music and songwriting ect since you were young? I started writing songs when I was in third grade. I began performing shortly after I started playing guitar when I was in sixth grade.

“What was the first song you wrote?” I wrote it in third grade. It was called, "Baby, Why?" Kind of like that Justin Bieber song....

How/why did you start singing? Has singing, or music in general, been in your life for quite some time? I've been singing my entire life. It probably started shortly after being introduced to the music of the Beatles when I was 3.

Do you write your own songs? If so, what/who is your inspiration? Yes. I write the songs with my two songwriting partners, Adam and Michael Scharff.

Could you explain the process you go through, in which you write(?) the song, sing it, and record it? I write the songs with my two songwriting partners. Sometimes it starts with one of my ideas, and sometimes it is one of theirs. We work together to get to the song to a place where we all love it. We then take it to the band and start finding arrangements that would work well for a the full group. If we have time, we usually like to try the song out on as many different audiences as we can prior to recording it. Then we head into the studio and the rest is history.

Who has been your biggest supporter? My bandmates.

What are some goals for the future of your music career? To bring my music to as many people as possible.


LINK: http://www.allykatzz.com/page/forus/member_blog_detail/?member_id=16812&source_id=1214627

Check out this web exclusive video performance of Skyler and the Band of Thieves performing an acoustic version of "It's Just the Night"!

Check it out at www.youtube.com/theniteshowmaine

Skyler Interview: A Star on the Rise
By: Matt Warnock

At an age when most people are hanging around at the swing-set, or I guess these day’s it’s an X-Box, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Skyler was working on developing his craft, a smart move that has now paid off only a few short years down the road. With a new EP out, Skyler is just hitting his stride at an age when most folks don’t even know what they want to do with their lives yet. If his past is any indication, this talented young musician has an extremely bright future ahead of him.

Guitar International recently caught up with Skyler to talk about his new EP, influences and gear.

Matt Warnock: Your music has a country vibe to it, as well as pop and rock feels. Do you define yourself as a pop/rock musician who has country influences, or a country musician that has pop/rock influences?

Skyler: I grew up listening to the Beatles. As I got older I became greatly influenced by Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, and John Mellencamp. More recently I’ve become a big fan of Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and Sugarland. So, it’s a little bit of everything.

Matt: Adam Scharff plays lead guitar on the album, what is it about Adam’s playing that you like and inspired you to bring him on board for the EP?

Skyler: Adam is the one who taught me how to play guitar. I’ve always been blown away by his style. He grew up trying to imitate his idol, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, and ended up developing a completely unique sound. When he’s improvising onstage is when he really shines. He’s also one of my songwriting partners, so it was a no-brainer to have him join the band.

Matt: What guitars do you play and do you prefer to play one guitar for a long stretch or pick and choose from a large collection of instruments?

Skyler: My favorite electric guitar is my Hagstrom Viking II. I’ve found that I really like boutique instruments. My acoustic is a Guild D-40 from the early ’90s. It was passed down to me from my dad.

Adam uses a variety of Godin guitars and a Gibson acoustic. One of his electrics is a telecaster body with a Godin neck and headstock. It’s his “Frankentele.” He also has a Gold Godin with P-90s that he loves to play.

Matt: What amps and effects do you like to run through in the studio and does this differ from your stage rig?

Skyler: Onstage, Adam and I both play through Fender Bassman amps. My pedals include a Fulltone OCD, a ModTone Clean Boost, and a Line 6 G-50 Wireless unit. Adam uses a Boss GT-8 pedal board.

In the studio, we use a combination of our own equipment and whatever awesome gear there is in the studio. We often use the producer’s Mesa Boogie amp and array of boutique pedals. Michael uses his Fender Jazz Bass whenever he plays. When I play bass on a track, I use my Hofner 500/1.

Matt: With the EP out now do you have plans to follow it up with a full length record?

Skyler: We have a follow-up EP coming out in April. We’re very excited. Hopefully, a full-length with all unreleased material won’t be far behind.

LINK: http://guitarinternational.com/2011/02/23/skyler-interview-a-star-on-the-rise/

Alex Tinder
Maine, my friends, has come out with music from Tennessee. Skyler, a native of the town of York, is a 19-year-old pop-country singer on the rise. With songs of sweetness and candy, he’s been playing from a young age and recording since the beginning of high school. The influences in his music are apparent: Beatles, Springsteen, Keith Urban. His latest release, Long Gone, features tracks that make ya feel good and want to sing and dance at a country fair with your lovely family and friends. Good and clean fun for once, Skyler’s been playing many shows to get the word out, so if you’re into a more mellow, country side jammin’, hit the road with him.

Recently, we have had the chance to talk to Skyler, a musician from Maine. 
What is the main inspiration for your songs?
Girls, love…. the usual.

Who or what is the biggest influence on your music?
All of the music I grew up listening to has greatly influenced my music. The Beatles, Springsteen, Petty, Taylor Swift…. And, of course, living has influenced my music.

How has your music evolved since you first started playing?
It’s gotten better and more mature.

How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
It’s a mixture of pop, rock, and country. I’ve been referred to as the “guy version of Taylor Swift.”

What are your plans for the rest of this year?
We’re about to head into the studio and we’re currently planning a Summer tour!

If you could tour with any band or artist, who would it be?
Taylor Swift. She’s incredible. Keith Urban would be cool, too.

What do you want your fans to take out of your music?
Enjoyment.

What are the best and worst venues that you have ever been to?
Playing at Higher Ground was amazing. We once played a TV show that was in a theatre, that was inside an antique store….that was interesting.

What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?
“Hero” by Enrique Iglesias

Most memorable event from one of your shows?
The first time I saw the whole audience singing along to one of my songs. That was a great feeling.

If you were not a musician, what would you be doing?
Probably acting.

Is there anything else you want to say to your fans?
Thank you for all of your support!

LINK: http://makewavesyo.com/?p=646

Describe your music to somebody whose never heard you before.
A mixture of pop, rock, and country. Some people call me the “guy version of Taylor Swift.”

When did you realize that you wanted to pursue music as a career?
I’ve always known. Listening to my mom’s Beatles records when I was young is what got me started. Seeing Paul McCartney live, in concert in 9th grade is what solidified it for me.

Do you feel that the internet has helped to boost fan-base/promotion?
Definitely. But, to be honest, I’ve never known it any other way.

Tell a secret about yourself and everyone else in your touring band. (Or something fans wouldn’t know about you.)
I have celiac sprue, so I’m gluten free. It makes finding food on the road really difficult…..

Obviously you play a lot of shows in the New England area, but wheres your favorite place to perform and why?
It always changes, especially after a great show, but Vermont may have the top spot in my heart right now. We just played there for the first time and packed the room…in a snowstorm. The fans are so appreciative, it’s hard not to love them.

Many musicians hit the road without any sort of professional background. How did attending a year at Berklee College of Music prepare you for the music industry and do you plan to continue going to school there?
I’m currently taking some time off from Berklee to pursue my career. Berklee was a lot of fun and taught me a lot. The most important thing that I learned is that finding talented musicians who all have the same goal as you, and who are not flakey is really hard to find. It really makes me appreciate my band all the more.

We hear you’re a multi-instrumentalist, so what instruments do you play?
I play guitar, bass, drums, piano, and whatever else you throw my way. Give me some time and I can usually figure it out.

What plans do you have for the near future? Tours? Albums?
We are currently scheduling our Summer tour, and we are about to head into the studio to record our second EP.This Summer is going to be exciting!

Any last words for the readers at Back-Pocket-Believers?
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy the music!


LINK: http://back-pocketbelievers.net/2011/02/14/skyler-interview/

RTVChannel.TV profiled Skyler on their website! Check it out!

LINK: http://www.rtvchannel.tv/skyler-upcoming-rockpop-19-year-old-songwriterperformer-from-york/

Junkie’s here! Introducing a new pop/rock artist to look out for in 2011! His name is Skyler, and he is a 19-year-old songwriter/performer from York, ME. He is even thought of as the male version of Taylor Swift!

Skyler got his start in 3rd grade by doing many performances after lunch on his school stage. By the time he was in 6th grade he was a multi-instrumentalist! Also, by 7th grade he had turned his bedroom into a music studio. This is someone who is very dedicated and talented!

Since his start, Skyler had performer over 250 gigs, released four cd’s and recently released his EP “Long Gone,” produced by Jonathan Wyman (Halo Studios) and mastered by Adam Ayan (Gateway Mastering).

Junkie’s asked Skyler a few questions to get to know who he is as a musician and more! So check out the interview below:

LINK: http://junkiepromotions.com/2011/02/07/introducing-rockpop-artist-skyler/