Unsigned Spotlight: Skyler
What’s your artist name, and how long have you been singing?
My real name and my artist name is “Skyler” and my website is SkylerChissell.com. I have been singing as long as I can remember, my mum tells me that I was singing before I could talk. My dad sings in a local rock and roll band in Virginia Beach and I used to sing on stage with him when I was only 5 years old. I remember my school teachers telling my mum that I was a great student but that I was always singing in class and distracting the other students.
What’s the origin of that name, is it your real name?
My real name is Skyler, my mum and dad just loved that name and that is why they chose it and there is no origin as far as I am aware.
Who wrote "I Just Wanna Dance"?
My music producer Mike Gonsolin of Trend Def Studios and his partner Nick Nittoli actually wrote this song, they also wrote and produced “Fire”, my debut track featuring Snoop Dogg on both the track and in the video. You can watch “I Just Wanna Dance” and “Fire” on my youtube channel under Skyler Chissell. Both songs, and actually two more originals yet to be released were recorded and produced at Trend Def Studios in LA.
What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Currently the themes and topics of my music are about living life and being yourself. I hope my music inspires people to just be themselves and that it doesn’t matter what you look like or what you do, just be yourself, work hard and follow your dreams and passions and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I am sure in the future as I get older and grow as an artist that the themes and topics of my music may change.
What acts are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Blink-182, The 1975 and All Time Low are just a few of the musicians/bands I love and have influenced me. Also Snoop and Pharrell have influenced my love of rap music and are people I look at as established singers, writers, producers and icons in the music industry. I actually just finished co-writing four more songs which are a mixture of a love ballad, a duet and two pop/alternative dance tracks.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start making music?
No not really, I grew up in Virginia Beach where I listened to country music a lot but I also sang Rock and Roll on stage with my dad. I listen to and love all genres of music. To me music is a form of expression and I believe that a song with powerful lyrics and music can appeal to everyone no matter what the genre. I would love to work with Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, they are great role models for people my age and are extremely talented.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc …
No nothing like that, I basically run on pure adrenalin coupled with excitement and a little nerves (and maybe a few Starbuck Vanilla Beans before the show!). I have such a passion for performing that it is all I want to do. I just opened for a large show “Cinco 4” here in LA at the famous Avalon Hotel performing alongside great artists such as The Janoskians and Sammy Wilk, and many other great artists.
What has been the biggest highlight of your artistic career so far?
Working with Snoop Dogg on my debut original track Fire. Fire was originally written for me and recorded as a solo urban/dance mix. Mike Gonsolin and Nick Nittoli at Trend Def Studios had worked with Snoop Dogg previously and they felt that a collaboration would be perfect for this song. They sent my recording of the song to Snoop Dogg who really liked it, so he wrote his own verse/lyrics to be mixed into the song to give it an edgier sound and his own unique touch and feel.
He was so great, fun and professional to work with and he gave me tons of tips on how to succeed in the music business. I am so lucky to have had the chance to perform with and learn from such a living legend as Snoop Dogg.
I also co-produced my new video to “I Just Wanna Dance” which was a great feeling to be both a recording artist and co-producing my own music videos.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
I would love to tour with Hey Violet and The Vamps, they are both extremely great bands with a great feel for music and they look like they would be a lot of fun to tour with. I actually saw Hey Violet in Las Vegas when they opened for 5 SOS and they were amazing on stage, and as far as performing with The Vamps, I love their music and it certainly doesn’t hurt that they are also friends with Brooklyn Beckham!
As far as bands in the past, while I would have loved to have performed with Nirvana, I think just sitting down on the sofa and jamming with them in an unplugged session would have been amazing. What a great artist and band, truly someone who crossed all barriers.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would love to say thank you to all the people who have supported me in pursuing my passion and the great people that have helped me get to where I am today. I obviously want to say a huge thank you to everyone who loves my music, without my fans I wouldn’t be able to do what I do, so thank you all very much for the love and support.
For more information and updates on what I am up to and information on upcoming music and tours please check out and follow me on my social media pages at:
http://www.youtube.com/skylerchissell
http://www.twitter.com/skylersmusic
http://www.instagram.com/skylersmusic
http://www.facebook.com/skylersmusicpage
http://www.soundcloud.com/skylerchissell