Interview: Anonymous Records – Skinner

Interview: Anonymous Records – Skinner

 Leeds’ Electric Pop craftswoman Skinner has just released their newest dual song collection Dangerous Game via Anonymous Records (streaming above).  I recently got the opportunity to talk with Skinner about her career so far, her time with Anonymous Records, here wild performance at Reading and Leeds, and much more!  Read below:

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John Kiernan
What was it like performing at Reading and Leeds?

Skinner
Very surreal. It’s all a mad blur, with BBC introducing it all happens so quickly, so I found out a few weeks before, got the band together for some rehearsals and before we knew it, it was done! It’s always been a dream of mine to perform at Leeds fest being from Leeds and going when I was younger. Both festivals are definitely the biggest and best gigs I’ve done to date. I’m just so grateful for that opportunity and I loved every second, it was electric! And to be representing BBC introducing was insane! I think you can tell that I still can’t believe it! 

John Kiernan

There’s a wild array of sounds that you use in your music. Tell us a little bit about the writing process for your music.

Skinner

Each track is different, I go with what I feel as opposed to trying to go for a particular sound or anticipate what people might like. I’ve just been lucky I guess that other people enjoy it too! I work closely with a producer called Krrum who is part of my live band. I either make a demo and he spices it up a bit, or we’ll sit down and work together from scratch. He definitely has to take credit for a lot of the cool sounds! I love sitting down and playing around on Logic and seeing what I come up with. The musics very upfront and blunt lyrically so I want the sounds to represent that too. It’s also very fun music and we try to make it catchy which makes it even better to perform and listen to!

John Kiernan

What’s it like working with Anonymous Records? It seems like there artist roster is pretty happy, with you being no exception.

Skinner

I think Anonymous Records are very different to a lot of labels in that respect. They have a different approach. From the first meeting I knew that to them it was more important that the music is nurtured properly and that their artists are happy. Although I haven’t been signed to them long, it’s been great so far! I’m just looking forward to releasing more with them in the future and working towards my debut album with them!

John Kiernan

Biggest influences, go!

Skinner

My influences are MAD and varied. Don’t question them…. But…. Blu Cantrell, holly valance, aluna George, lorde, Britney Spears, Tyga, nikki Minaj, leftfield, kendrick Lamar, Kanye, Paloma faith, Taylor swift.

I’m a pop girl. I love chart music, I’ve immersed myself in it from a young age, but I take different things from different artists, whether that be production ideas and sounds, vocal tones and phrasings, lyric inspiration or even rhythmical inspiration from rap and hip hop. Each artist has something different to offer inspiration wise!

John Kiernan

Have you gotten to work with any of your idols?

Skinner

Not work with yet, but I had chance to meet Kendricks band at Leeds fest which was cool! I collaborate a lot with musicians that I know and respect, but it would be great to think that I could work with some of my idols in the future (if I could hold it together!)

John Kiernan

What news do you guys have coming up?

Skinner

I’ve just released my debut single ‘Dangerous Game’ on anonymous records, and that has a B side of ‘I Don’t Care’. It’s so nice to finally have it out there! I’m working towards my debut album for release in 2016 and there’ll be a few singles inbetween! I’m so excited to share what I’ve been working so hard on over the past year or so!

John Kiernan

What advice do you have today for musicians starting up their careers in the new music industry?

Skinner

Say yes to every opportunity. You just don’t know where it might lead! Whack your stuff onto the BBC introducing uploader-it’s done a hell of a lot for me! And collaborate with other musicians! Some of my best inspiration and influence and tunes have come from Collabs! Two heads are often better than one!