SKYLAR GREY: Metamorphosis

Let’s hop right into this new self-titled LP, and your first in six long years — First things first, why such a long time coming?

I’ve really struggled through some major personal life changes over the past 5 years…I filed for divorce in 2017, which led to an additional lawsuit, and the stress and financial burden nearly killed me. Long story short, I was completely uninspired to make music. It was a dark time. But this past year, I was able to put it all behind me finally- I had to sell my catalog in order to afford the settlement, which hurt a lot- the majority of my earnings from my entire life’s work went to paying my ex and paying taxes…BUT the silver lining is that IT’S OVER, which is a huge relief, and now I’m more motived than ever now to make music and build a new catalog.

And, secondly, how does this particular project either differ and / or compare to previous entries?

This is my first nearly fully self-written, self-produced, independent album. So there’s no producer or label to answer to…it’s just me! Which makes it’s highly personal and authentic compared to anything I’ve ever done before.

As a songwriter, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?

Writing lyrics is like therapy to me. It’s my way of letting out all of my emotions. Sometimes it’s current emotions, and sometimes it’s analyzing the past…just like you do in therapy- you look back and try to figure out why you are the way you are, and remember moments that changed you…I do that same thing with songwriting.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Holly Brook?

I’ve never known anything else…my mom says I basically popped out singing! She is a musician, and my dad’s a singer as well. So it’s just in my blood. I started doing gigs with my mom at age 6…age 14, I went “solo” and started going by Holly Brook, my first and middle name. Then moved to L.A. at 17, got my first record deal, had my first hit on the radio, then failed miserably. I started over at 23 with the name Skylar Grey, having written “Love The Way You Lie” (for) Eminem featuring Rihanna…which truly catapulted my career.

Now you’re a native of Mazomanie, Wisconsin, correct? So growing up in ‘Walking Iron,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

My mom was a huge influence and the music she exposed me to- a lot of Folk and Celtic stuff. She also taught me to play many instruments, like the guitar and lap dulcimer. I was also influenced by my dad’s barbershop quartet- their use of harmony was engrained in me at a very young age, so I have a deep love for complex chords and tension. Then as CD’s became a thing and my older sister started collecting them, I got SUPER influenced by Fiona Apple, Dido and Radiohead, to name a few. In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style? Though not all the music I’ve put out reflects this- I make moody music. (There are some songs I’ve released that I HIGHLY regret!)

What particular string of events actually led to your initial linking up with Brad Delson and Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda and ultimately inking with their Machine Shop Records imprint?

After moving to L.A., I met some producers who helped me make some demos…in the hallway of the studio, I met some random guy who introduced me to a lawyer, who then introduced me to my first manager. That manager got my demos into the hands of Linkin Park’s manager. Then I met with Brad Delano at a bar in a hotel where there was a piano- I sat down and played him a few songs. They offered me a deal the very next day.

You later went on to sign with Alex da Kid‘s KIDinaKORNER label — Walk me through this transition…

After having the hit “Where’d You Go” with Mike Shinoda, things went sideways for me…I was so young and naive, and made some major mistakes. Ended up parting ways with Machine Shop / Warner, but those negotiations took a long time. And during that time, I couldn’t legally release any music. It was the first real dark time in my career. I was broke, so I tried some odd jobs, then started playing back up keys for Duncan Sheik on tour…but I felt like such a failure. I eventually got so depressed and discouraged that I left L.A.. People told me not to leave L.A., that it was career suicide. But I think staying in L.A. I might have actually committed suicide. So I moved to Oregon- a cabin in the woods where I didn’t have to pay rent, just traded work. Being out in nature has always been super healing for me…I grew up in the woods, so being there was nostalgic. Reminded me of being a kid with big dreams, uncorrupted by the world. I went there as a lost soul, and over the course of a few months in isolation, without people forcing their opinions on me, I finally found myself again. I fell back in love with music, I found my confidence again, and in under a year I came out of that whole experience writing the biggest song in the world, “Love the Way You Lie.” So whoever says you NEED to live in L.A. to succeed in music is a fucking idiot, in my opinion.

It was also around this same time that you changed your name to SKYLAR GREY — Where does / did this moniker derive from? And, what exactly prompted this decision?

As I mentioned, I went to the woods as a lost soul- it felt like I was living in a fog. I had no idea what was going to happen, where my future was heading…it was all grey. And the sky in Oregon reflected that emotion. But coming out of that experience on top of the world taught me to not fear the unknowns…but rather to embrace them. You can’t know what you’re capable of unless you push outside your comfort zone. So I named myself Skylar Grey as a reminder of the lessons I learned there.

Switching gears here…

To date, what has been your greatest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

I’m pretty sure I’ve already covered this in the above! However, I’d like to add that becoming independent now and making this self-made album is definitely one of the highest notes for me…it may not be my most “successful” career moment, but it’s spiritually the most fulfilling.

What’s an average day like for you?

Ha- I wake up to my cat licking my face, next to Elliott Taylor the love of my life. Then we make coffee and decide the agenda for the day- since I wear every hat in my career at the moment, currently that means going through emails, texts and calls, packing and shipping merch, creating content for marketing and promotion of my album, then diving into new music in the studio. Sometimes I can’t get to it all! Not enough hours in the day.

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…

My fans are amazing. I usually communicate with them through Instagram DM. Many of them have been following me since I went by Holly Brook, and it means so much that they’ve stuck with me so long. I like to let them know how much I appreciate them.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

Absolute favorite part is that moment in the studio when I create something that I feel is my best work yet. I’m always trying to one-up myself…and when I feel like I do, it’s a high I can’t explain. As for my least favorite part- it’s the “experts” in the game who think they know it all. Shut the fuck up- this is art- there are no rules, no blueprints to success, no such thing as knowing what a hit is. It’s all bullshit they invent to create value for themselves in the business. A lot of them are failed rockstars themselves, so they are bitter, and want to be important. I have learned that the best road to success is to make art YOU love and believe in. Then let these “experts” champion it if they love it. But if they don’t “get it” then ignore them- don’t let them change what you do.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Read the previous answer again!

Both as a writer as well as a feature you’ve collaborated with so many great artists; the list is endless, however, do you have a specific favorite either collaborator or collaboration? And if so, why?

Collaborating with Eminem is always a dream. On an artistic level as well as on an operational level. I love the blend of his style of rap with my moody vocals. And he’s so pro.

Also, do you have any memorable or even funny stories / anecdotes centered around the crafting of any of these chart topping singles?

When I wrote “Coming Home,” I was in New York working with Alex da Kid but my money from “Love the Way You Lie” hadn’t started coming in yet. So I slept on the couch in the UMPG offices that night- without permission! I remember the next morning when people started arriving to work, someone walked into the bathroom and caught me brushing my teeth!

Lastly, what’s next for you, SKYLAR?

I’m always focused on finding film / TV opportunities and collaborations, as well as always working on new material for myself. I promise it won’t be another 6 years before my next album drops!

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

I think you covered a lot!!!!

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

Thanks for reading!

-Sky

Skylar Grey on the web:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK