At twenty-three, living and breathing music, this is just the beginning of a promising musical career as he starts to concentrate on live audience shows and more recordings.
Tell me about Blue Skies.
Blue Skies is my band. You could also argue that Blue Skies is me, since I'm the only person in it. I decided to use a band name rather than my own because 1) it leaves the option of adding more band members open, and 2) I don't really like my name.
When did you first become interested in playing music?
I was about nine or 10 when I started playing guitar, I'd always been interested in music but I think it was the Britpop era that really got me. It was a long time before I seriously considered it as a career possibility - really it was when I left university and realized it was either that or get a real job. Fear of the alternative can do wonders for your confidence, I've found!
Who are your major influences?
Conor Oberst, The Mountain Goats, The Libertines, Radiohead, Bob Dylan, Jamie T… The list goes on and on as most peoples' would. We're lucky these days - there's such a huge amount of music out there and it's so easily accessible, you're never gonna be short of a musical influence or two!
What do you like most about being a musician?
Though I think it's the hardest part, writing songs is also my favourite aspect of being a musician. There's a feeling I get when I've just finished a song, that I've not found anywhere else… It's a mixture of accomplishment; the idea that an hour ago this song didn't exist and now it does, and also excitement; both that you're the only person in the world who has heard this song and also that you get to go and share it with people. That's another good part, letting a song out into the world for the first time and seeing how people react to it.
Article comments
1 - Calix
This is a VERY well done interview! It has a nice, informative lead in and then a fun, interesting personal point of view type Q & A.
I am big fan of artist interviews rather than mere album reviews b/c you can do both simultaneously. This writer has gotten me interested in this band and I am glad she did so because now I have new music to buy!
I actually bought the one CD that didn't show up called Blackout Sessions and seen at that link on Amazon.
That is the kind of cool album that reminds me of the Old 97's and The Replacements and both bands acoustic sounding tracks like The Replacements classic track "Here Comes a Regular" from Tim or Old 97's "I Will Remain" or "Here's to the Halcyon" off of Blame it on Gravity.
To try and put this music is in a genre or box it in like that is like keeping a Tiger in a cage at the Zoo. You gotta let it out to hear it roar, to see it run, to enjoy its beauty. This music is the same!
Great review Miss Del-Icious!