Danish artist Skylar Fri is without a doubt one of the most infectious and talented stars we’ve ever had the chance to chat with. Here, we put our usual slew of questions for fresh new talent to the artist, finding out a little bit more about her inspirations, ambitions, and just where she’d like to be this time next year. Read on to find out what she had to say…
Skylar Fri's new single 'Gold Rush' is out now
For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?
It’s always a difficult question but I think it kind of navigates within the world of dream pop/alt. pop.
What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?
Life in music is a rollercoaster for sure! I think the biggest challenge for artists in this day and age is to be able to multi-task so much in their career. That means; being a performer, a writer, a producer, savvy about marketing, managing your social media, setting up a live band/set, tour etc. It’s an incredibly intense place to be and you really have to do it for the love of it.
How difficult would you say this career path is in terms of making a name for yourself?
It’s very difficult. There are so many talented people out there and you do really need more than just talent and luck! That being said, I think most importantly you’ve just got to do it for the right reasons. Do it because you love it so much you can’t not do it and accept that it’s a hard and risky route!
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
It is very important to me that I’m the captain of my creative ship. Songwriting for me is an emotional outlet as it is for most artists. It helps me to process and express at times quite personal thoughts and emotions that I otherwise wouldn’t know how to convey, and it’s crucial that I myself keep the expression and the style of it all in a place that feels right and authentic to me.
Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?
I’m very inspired by certain authors and quite psychological literature such as the works of Robert Louis Stevenson and Antoine De Saint-Exupery etc. I’m a little obsessed with human behaviour to be honest, including my own, and why we act the way we do in different situations. I find it especially interesting when we sometimes surprise ourselves with our own behaviour, than can be in relation to love, to power, to jealousy etc. I guess most of my songwriting is about the process of recognising that we all have different versions within ourselves.
If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why?
I have written music for film and TV and I would love to do that much more. It would be amazing to collaborate with filmmakers such as Nicholas Winding Refn and Thomas Vinterberg. I am a huge fan of their work. Music-wise, I would love to collaborate with Rationale! I’m a die-hard fan! His music and voice are both incredible!
Do you have definitive aims or goals for your career?
My biggest aim with my music is to make people ‘feel’ something. I don’t have any goals of glitter and fortune. As long as I feel like I’ve got something to say, something to share and it makes people feel something, then happy days. Don’t get me wrong, of course I do need bread on the table too and I’m ambitious but I am essentially in this for the art and the love of it. Otherwise, I should have become a lawyer instead I think!
Where do you hope to be this time next year?
I hope that my band and I will be on the road playing lots of shows, be busy in the studio working on a second album and who knows? Maybe writing for a film or a TV show. That could be ace!
What should we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?
I’ll be releasing my second EP as well as videos and I’ll be playing shows in Denmark and UK! First show is February 21 in Copenhagen.
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Skylar Fri’s new single ‘Gold Rush’ is available to download and stream now, via AntiFragile Music.