My anxiety led to me not feeling like myself anymore
Rising pop star Skye Houston is conquering new heights with her latest unapologetic single, ‘Mommy Issues’. Originally from West London and now based in America, Skye channels her feelings into empowering and brutally honest songwriting. Today, she is here to discuss her latest release, the ways emotions influence her songwriting and her long-term plans for the future.
Your latest single, ‘Mommy Issues’, has been described as an empowering anthem. Can you elaborate on the inspiration behind the song and the message you hope to convey with it?
When writing this, I was at a point in my life where every single boy I seemed to encounter was either disrespectful or just a straight-up f*ckboy. I wrote this in tribute to these types of men, all manipulative, all immature, all stupid. Women seem to see a lot clearer than men do during their 20s in my opinion, so I wanted to highlight how girls like me should never settle for men like them.
Your music blends R&B, soul, and pop elements. How do you approach genre-blending in your work, and what artists or genres have most influenced your sound?
I grew up listening to a lot of soul and jazz, Etta James, and Nina Simone, hence why soul massively influences my sound. Some of the artists I look up to nowadays are the likes of Jorja Smith, Joy Crookes, Enny, and SZA. I feel they have all done such a service to the music industry by combining genres in a way that is similar to my sound.
Moving from West London to New York must have been a big change. How has this move influenced your music and creative process?
When I moved to New York, I felt as though I had grown the hell up. Moving to a city that is so vibrant and full of talent and creativity, it is hard not to feel inspired on a daily basis. I really feel like I found my sound as an artist once I moved there because not only had I grown as a person but also as an artist.
With tracks like ‘Company’ and ‘Heart Over Head’, you've gained attention for your honest and introspective songwriting. How do you balance vulnerability with empowerment in your music?
Writing music to me is a form of therapy, hence why vulnerability is a big part of the songs I write. When I first started as an artist, I was scared to be vulnerable and open up through my writing, but now I feel as though it is the only pure way for me to communicate the difficulties I have faced in life.
I want each song to tell a story, one that people can relate to on a personal level, whether it be able difficulties they’ve had in love, family life, whatever it is, them being able to relate is what is important to me.
As someone who struggles with anxiety and channels it into your music, how do you think this aspect of your personality influences your songs and connection with your listeners?
Anxiety is something that I feel many people encounter in their own personal way. For me, my anxiety was mainly driven by personal experiences that led to me not feeling like myself anymore. ‘Heart Over Head’ for example represents a time in my life when over and over again I was hurt by someone but always chose to go back to them, a phase in my life where I was riddled with anxiety.
Through my writing, I channel my anxiety as a way to have a positive outcome. To write something that expresses this feeling of anxiety in a not-so-obvious way.
Your songs often draw from personal experiences. How do you navigate the challenge of sharing such personal stories with your audience?
Sharing personal stories is definitely difficult. I sat on ‘Heart Over Head’ for three years before I was ready to release it because it was about such a personal time in my life, I didn’t know if I’d ever be ready to release it. But eventually, once you get over the hurt and pain of these experiences you become ready to share them with the world and I think this is a beautiful part of the process of sharing music that is so personal.
What can fans expect from you this year in terms of new music and projects?
This year, expect lots of new music, new genres influencing my sound and some great collaborations… that’s all I’m saying for now as I don’t want to give too much away.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for your music career? How do you envision your sound evolving in the coming years?
My long-term goals for the near future are definitely to release my debut EP followed by my debut album. Projects like these are something that I can’t wait to start working on as these types of bodies of work truly encapsulate not only your sound but your personality and who you are as an artist. Also, many live shows and tours to come!
Follow Skye HoustonPhoto by Thomas Ford Flynn