Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Sean Skyler

What is your earliest memory connected to music? 

Most of my earliest memories are connected to music in some way. I have a distinct  memory of being in my old house, in my bedroom, listening to Tom Petty’s Full Moon  Fever on small transparent cassette player. I was probably 5.  

How did your passion for creating music begin? 

I grew up in a music-centric house, there was always something on or my dad would be  playing guitar and writing songs. Looking back, I think discovering a project he had  written is probably what triggered my own writing.  

What’s the story behind your current music project? 

Sadly, the last several years have been consumed by a rollercoaster of loss and grief.  There have been several false starts where I thought I was ready only to find that I  absolutely wasn’t. At times, I wasn’t sure If I could continue at all. Eventually, I started to  write again and I do feel like I’m honoring the dead in that way, but it’s hard, there are key  people I used to share songs with that are no longer here.  

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music? It’s never really changed since I was as kid. There’s a stream of melody that’s always  available when I’m ready to tap in. The part I struggle with is the discipline to get those  ideas from my head, to the page and eventually to a finished recording.  

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process? A melody/lyric idea and a voice memo or I’ll sit with a guitar and kind of meditate on an  idea for a while, see what comes out. Usually 80% of the song will reveal itself in that  process.  

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now? 

Aimont Moon, fronted by Patrick Gemkow from Chicago.  

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision? I’m just a guy documenting his life. That’s really all it is. So my personal experiences  influence and shape all of it.  

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work? I hope they feel seen and are left feeling hopeful. Hope can be hard to conjure up these  days.  

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far? 

Patience.  

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at? 

Americana Fest.  

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why? Jeff Tweedy or Rick Ruben. I think in terms of taste and mentality, there is a common  thread there that could result in something interesting. 

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links) Website:  

Spotify:  

si=NvnjvwjITN6MpbUYWnGgPA 

Instagram : @seanskyler  

https://www.instagram.com/seanskyler

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?  

I want to release as much music as I possibly can. I’ve been too precious and have held  myself back long enough. It’s time to let it all out. My best work has yet to be heard.  

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way? 

I don’t really want or need them to discover anything about me. I hope through my  writing that they can make it their own and discover things about themselves.