South-London singer-songwriter Skylu is pleased to announce a brand new release with the arrival of ‘Ladders’, lifted from the forthcoming collaborative EP due this Spring.
‘Ladders’ created with Brighton based producer Lyonheart, follows on from her recent BBC Introducing single ‘Foreign Concept’, fuses bewitching piano led melodies over bittersweet, nuanced lyricism.
Skylu explains: “This track takes me back to my teenage years, pushing limits under dark skies, neon lights, first love, false confidence and oceanic feelings. I used to run away to the river with my disc-man to hide from the world. I never really said a proper goodbye to my first love, it was tumultuous to say the least. Ladders captures the playfulness, freedom, raw emotion and insecurity underpinning that time. It feels brave and raw and magnetic. It was written in one afternoon in Brighton.”
Vocalist and lyricist Skylu has been finding solace in storytelling since she was tiny and hopping along pavements to avoid the lines. Humming melodies and scrawling lyrics came naturally from a young age, immersed in her dream-world. These days it’s voice recordings on train platforms and bedroom jams.
A born collaborator, Skylu honed her craft over the last few years riding trains out of town for no signal recording sessions, thriving at improvisation and vocal harmonies amongst deep bass-lines and textured soundscapes.
Tell us about your story as an artist
From a young age I remember scrawling lyrics and humming tunes, naturally drawn to storytelling and living in my dreamworld. Skylu is my first solo scrapbook with a series of collaborations and a strong dose of empowerment and vulnerability.
What do you think is the most important aspect of your life right now?
Creativity and community. I feel we find and create the extended family we need to stay inspired and to lift one another up.. Connecting with like minds and souls is a source of light and strength. I think the most important reminder to myself right now is – enjoy the process and savour the journey — that applies to music and life as a whole.
What makes this song special in your opinion?
This track is very special to me, it’s raw and real, full of feeling and atmosphere. I channeled my younger self and the story simply poured out. Lyonheart and I wrote and recorded it in one afternoon in Brighton.
What inspired this track?
My teenage years, first love, false confidence, neon lights and oceanic feelings. I used to run away to the river with my discman to hide from the world. Ladders expresses the playfulness, freedom, insecurity and darkness of that time.
What are some of the core messages here?
Reach out beyond the superficial and digital, say what you need to say, be yourself, show love.
Ladders is a bittersweet letter to my younger self and first love and anyone who listens and connects with that mood.
How do you think tik tok and social media are contributing to an artist’s career?
Sharing music and colour and windows into individual lives has never been more instantaneous and accessible. It’s a huge plus for digital connection, potential speed of growth and reaching more people. Socials can be a positive place to express, update and share – although, for me, nothing beats in person live shows and jams and I think we all have to remember to step back, fill up our cup and ground ourselves too.
What excites you about your life?
I am free. I am excited to write this next chapter, to connect and resonate with more humans and share creations with soul and heart.
What are some of your core values as a human being?
Off the top of my head…compassion, community, creativity, possibility, generosity and inclusion.
Here’s to a powerful year celebrating more and more women, non-binary and trans music professionals, sound engineers, artists and producers.
What are your projects for this year?
By May, the EP will be out in the world and I’ll be throwing a party to celebrate. My plan is to do what I love – write, collaborate, play live and gather beautiful people together in the name of new music and community.
