What is your Full Name?
Skyler Chissell
How old are you?
I am 16 years old
What is your genre of music?
Well my debut track “Fire” is a mixture of urban/dance as Snoop Dogg wanted to feature on the track and in the video, he also wrote his own lyrics which was amazing, but going forward my music is geared more around alternative/punk with a pop mix.
Give us a little Bio of you.
My Mum is English and grew up in Bournemouth and my dad is American so I have joint citizenship and spend my time between the UK and the US. I was born in Virginia Beach, VA, and moved to California when I was 11 to pursue a modeling and acting career. I’m pretty much a typical 16 year old girl. I love going to the mall, hanging out with friends, and watching horror movies and vine videos of Nash Grier. When I’m not in the studio I love to spend time at the beach or go to the park with my rescue dog Mouse, and as an avid soccer fan I make sure I watch all of the Arsenal games.
How long have you been doing music?
I’ve been singing for fun as long as I can remember, but professionally only about 6 months. I worked with a music producer, Mike Gonsolin of Trend Def Studios in LA, on some cover songs which I wanted to put on youtube. I had so much fun working with him and the sound was great so he offered to write me an original song, which is “FIRE”.
What made you go into music?
Just simple passion. Music isn’t a job to me as I enjoy it so much. I can spend hours all day listening to and writing music and then all evening often until 1am in the studio recording. My whole allowance goes on downloading music or on old vinyl records that I collect.
Are you a signed Artist?
Not yet, but I do have some meetings scheduled in February and March so check back at #Skylersmusic for updates.
What instruments do you play?
Unfortunately none, I was taking piano lessons but my instructor and I would spend all lesson coming up with new song ideas and lyrics. I do want to take some time to learn guitar and drums going forward.
Who are your influences?
Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, The 1975, Hey Violet, Blink-182 and All Time Low.
When will your new material be out?
I have 3 more originals already recorded and produced which will be available on an EP in the beginning or mid-February, and my producer and I are currently working on a love ballad.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Everyday things really, my own experiences, people watching and places I visit, I also take away a lot from my friend’s stories about boy troubles and school. I will often go on the roof of my apartment building in LA late at night and just watch the stars which gives me a clear mind and enables me to write for hours without any interruptions.
Where do you see yourself in 2-5 Years?
Hopefully I will be lucky enough to make a career out of my passion and will be playing around the world, I love to travel and meet new people. I equally love to write as much as I do sing, so I would love to write songs for other artists. I would also like to get some animals friends for my rescue dog, Mouse from the LA Shelter.
You were discovered by Snoop Dogg, how did that come about?
My record producer, Mike Gonsolin, wrote “FIRE” for me as a solo track which originally had a second verse. When we heard the final recording we loved the result and he thought it was good enough and would be perfect for a feature with Snoop Dogg who he had worked with before. He sent Snoop Dogg my recording and he loved it. He not only wanted to feature but wanted to be in the video also and he wanted to personally write his own lyrics to make it more of collaboration with me. We spent all day from 8am through midnight shooting the video in an abandoned warehouse in downtown LA and when we weren’t shooting or on break Snoop Dogg mentored me on how to be successful and how to build a career.
What was your first reaction?
Beyond excited and a little nervous, it is not every day you get to work with such a living legend as Snoop Dogg, He was such an amazing person to work with.
You are releasing ‘Fire’, your Single later this month, tell us more about it.
Yes, the official release date for “FIRE” is Jan 29. We are having a release party at my PR company in the UK and I am also scheduled for a two week promotional tour where I will appearing on TV shows and doing radio and press interviews in London, Birmingham, Exeter, Cambridge, Manchester, Liverpool and my home town of Bournemouth.
Will you be releasing an Album, if so when?
Yes, I will be releasing an EP of 4 songs plus a bonus track of a party remix of “Fire” this will be out start to mid-February. The new songs are amazing and I hope people will love them as much as I do.
Will you be heading out on Tour? if so where?
Nothing scheduled as yet but would certainly love to do so in the future and would love to open for some of my favorite bands such as the Vamps.
You are coming to the UK, what are you most excited about?
I had hoped to spend some time with my family, I have joint US/UK citizenship as my mother is English so I have many Aunts, Uncles and cousins there, but the interest in “FIRE” has been so amazing that I have been invited to interview and guest appear on TV shows and in studio radio appearances across the country so I won’t get to spend as much time with them as I had hoped, but am beyond excited that I have this opportunity to promote my original songs and live my dream.
If you wasn’t doing music what would you be doing?
I have always been involved in animal rescue and volunteer at local animal shelters and my Mum manages a low cost veterinary clinic where I also help out, I am also obsessed with Penguins so my second career choice would be Marine Biologist to help save and rescue stranded and or endangered marine animals.
When you’re not doing music,what do you do?
If my Mum is reading this then schoolwork, if she isn’t then watching crazy vine videos of Nash Grier or watching horror movies with my friends. I also love the beach and spend a lot of time there with my friends and my dog, but pretty much I am always doing music in some capacity as I am always listening to or getting inspiration for music from what is around me wherever I am. My friends and I also get invited to a lot of parties on the weekends where we literally dance all night.
If you could collaborate with one UK Artist or band who would it be?
The Vamps seem like they would be really cool to work with not only because they have great music but they seem to have fun with it, and the fact they also hang out with Brooklyn Beckham doesn’t hurt!
If you could collaborate with one USA Artist or band who would it be?
It would have to be Christina Aguilera as her voice is amazing and I have idolized her since I was little, I have also covered her song “Hurt” because I loved how much emotion truly went into the song.
Where is your dream venue or festival to perform in UK?
I would love to perform at the O2 Arena in London because it would be super cool to be on a stage in the heart of England and I could catch an Arsenal match before the show. GO GUNNERS!
Where is your dream venue or festival to perform in USA?
I would have to say Madison Square Garden just because growing up I would hear people say that “ once you perform at Madison Square Garden you know that you’ve made it”.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Work hard and stay true to yourself. Also, that there is a lot of rejection in this industry so never give up and don’t take it personally.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?
If you have a passion then never give it up even if people tell you that you won’t make it, everyone has a different opinion and if you work hard you will find where you belong.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
I’m not a Princess and I don’t need saving, I’m a Queen I got this shit handled!
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram @skylersmusic
Twitter @skylersmusic
Youtube: skylerchissell
SKYLER’S SINGLE IS NOW OUT CALLED ‘FIRE’ FT SNOOP DOGG!
VIDEO BELOW AND ITUNES LINK TO BUY NOW: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fire-feat.-snoop-dogg-single/id1061930465
