SKIES Interview
Ahead of their debut EP ‘If You Feel Like It' coming out (27th November via LAB Records), we had a chat with Alie and Jericho from SKIES. The Folkestone 2-piece talk us through the EP, signing to LAB Records and what the future holds for the band.
Please take us through the origins of the band: How did you guys form and where did the name SKIES come from?
Alie: I started a band a few years ago under a different name and Jericho's brother was the bassist, that's how I met Jericho. He joined as the 6th member as a synth player. The band was quite acoustic but I wanted to go more down the synth route so he joined.
Jericho: From there, me and Alie decided to become a two-piece with a session drummer (Alie's brother Matt) as we were doing so much of the writing together, it just naturally progressed that way. We changed the name to SKIES and the rest is history I guess.
A: We wanted a band name that was quite neutral, easy to spell and remember for fans. Our music is quite big, so SKIES was a name that fitted that description well too.
For those that haven’t heard your music yet, how would you best describe your sound and who are some of your influences?
J: We can't help but create a big sound, we'd say we're mainly synth-pop and we're really focused on the song rather than a very specific style. The song itself is really important and there's a lot of bands out there now who seem so focused on the style but not the song.
A: I think we try to always keep in mind if the song would work on an acoustic guitar; if there was no production or anything and if we think it does work then we add all the production and really pull the song out. We've been put in a lot of genre brackets since releasing the 2 singles off the debut EP and I'm sure we'll be put in a few more yet!
J: Our influences are Twenty One Pilots, The 1975, M83, Florence and the Machine, Bastille, Mumford & Sons, Bombay Bicycle Club and lots more!
Please take us through your new single ‘Leave Me’, what’s the track about and what does it mean to you?
A: The track was written about a friend who seemed to be stuck in a relationship that wasn't working. I felt sorry for him and just started writing this song about it. It's a really hard situation to be in, especially when you care about the person you want to break it off with and I think the song sums that all up.
The track is off your debut EP ‘If You Feel Like It' (due out 27 November), what can the fans expect from the record and are there any dominant themes running throughout?
A: I think people can expect songs that are really meaningful. I'm biased as they all mean something to me because I wrote them, but I'd really like to think people can relate to what I'm saying. I think they can also expect emotion, the way Jericho put all the songs together with the production really brings out the meaning of the songs and I hope people like it. Each song has a different meaning, but a common thread is about loss. Losing someone, losing time, losing faith. It definitely has a beginning, a middle and an end, so hopefully people feel like it's a bit of a journey too.
Please talk us through the recording process of the EP; where was it recorded and who was the producer?
J: We recorded the EP at Hidden Track Studios in our hometown Folkestone with Oz Craggs (Feed The Rhino). He is one of the most amazing guys we've ever met. He understood what we were trying to do and really inspired us throughout the whole process. We're all really happy with how it came out and couldn't recommend him enough really.
You recently signed to Lab Records, who pride themselves on developing young talent. What have they been like to work with thus far?
A: It's been so encouraging to release the debut EP through a label. We also got management this year so it's been so great to have other people join us and work with us. We've been working really hard as a band and with just two of you it’s a lot of work. To now have a label and management is a real encouragement.
J: Yeah, we're really looking forward to seeing what LAB do with the release, it's exciting!
You've been on the road quite a lot in the last couple of months, including performing at London's prestigious venue, KOKO. How have the gigs been going and what would be your dream venue to play at?
J: The shows have been amazing, especially KOKO. Going back to what we've been saying about our sound, we create a big sound, so KOKO was the perfect place to play. It was the largest venue we played so far and it really felt like it's where we belong.
A: I don’t think our dream venue would be anywhere in particular, I want to do stadium tours/festivals, as big a possible really!
In your short career so far you've already supported the likes of Coasts, Pixel Fix and Baby In Vain but if you could support any artist in the world (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
A: I'd love to support Coldplay, it's probably a classic answer I know, but their early stuff was a big influence for me.
J: I'd love to support Twenty One Pilots. They have so much energy on stage and a cool fan base. Their history and rise as a band is something we've found similarities within our own journey so far. They've been a real big influence to me and their sound is bang on.
What has been your favourite record of 2015 so far and why? What up and coming bands would you recommend we check out?
A: My favourite release is probably 'That's the Spirit' by Bring Me The Horizon. The production is incredible, I just love how epic it all is. It's not usually what I'm into lyrically or stylistically but you can't deny it's a damn good listen!
J: Mine has to be Darwin Deez's 'Double Down' album. So much hook, groove and pure pop. Plus he performed, recorded and released it all himself! Regarding up and coming bands, we really like Get Inuit and Fish Tank...
A: Kent bands are really killing it right now to be fair!
What else does the future hold for SKIES?
A: We'll release some new material in 2016 and tour. From then hopefully we end up living in the van for the rest of our lives and get to gig every night...we'll keep you posted on it x