An album release from Skinny G Radio brings out a soiree of refreshing pop elements that blend together to create a quirky and unique vibe that puts itself just far enough outside the box to be its own thing but sticks to this wonderfully colorful pop formula that comes through as charming and incredibly likable.
If there was one particular word that I would say this album has an abundance of, that word would be character.
The Heightening LP is packed with charismatic and slightly edgy sets of tonality that let you really soak in the vibrancy and style that this all gives off.
This is a really fun and addicting form of pop music because it doesn't stick to standard cookie cutter pop arrangements or songwriting styles.
Part of the approach to this record is to be a little bit avant-garde but also catchy is all hell. And guess what, it works.
This release bears some soul and definitely touches on some personal attributes that are probably hard to speak out loud and so the artist turns them into songs to get them off of his chest.
But the key factor here is that even songs like that are not really taken all too seriously which makes everything much more enjoyable honestly.
You get the truthfulness and the authenticity of songs that are about life experiences or emotionally driven situations, but you still get that light-hearted or whimsical effect as well.
And that combination is the whole vibe of Skinny G Radio.
These songs are alive and breathing, they can come off as very theatrical at times, and each track has a little bit of a different viewpoint to soak in.
Now, there are plenty of songs that stand out as singles and would probably be more than worthy of your time and playlists; however, listening to this album from top to bottom is really the way to go here.
These songs are like chapters of a book and each one although maybe not completely interconnected in a timeline fashion, have a strange connection with each other.
I think one of the most compelling things about this record is that the way the songs are built and woven together takes a real love for the craft and you can tell that the songwriter here absolutely loves his process.
These songs have a lot of attention to detail, and I don't just mean lyrically but production-wise as well of course.
This is definitely for people that want a story along with their pop song and not just a plain old pop song.
It's for a listener that wants to visualize things when they listen to a song or get to know a character.
This LP is one of the more interesting releases I've heard in a long time and with its release, we definitely wanted to have a sit-down with Skinny G Radio to find out where this actually came from and what might be next.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Okay, let's start with The Heightening album! This record was an outside the box pop music with a fun and danceable feel! How did this album come about?
By the end of 2018, I had spent the last 5 years ghost writing and producing for singers and artists in Connecticut. I was about to move out to Los Angeles with the incredibly fortunate opportunity to shadow 10x Grammy Winning Producer & Engineer, Darrell Thorp. I did not know what to expect, but I knew this big transition in my creative career was something to write about and document. I wanted to capture all the excitement, fear, passion & uncertainly as it was happening in real time.
Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as an artist? When did you fall in love with music?
My love for music really changed when I started getting addicted to reading lyrics at a young age. When a new song would come out, I would read the lyrics online. Without knowing the melody of the words, the lyrics come across more as a poem. I loved learning what the songs were saying and then I’d listen to the music. I would get to hear how they’d fit the words into the pocket of the drums and how melodies can emphasize different words when needed.
Once I started making music in my late teens, all of this came together in a way that helped me write and produce for others. The craft became quickly addicting.
Buzz Slayers: What kind of things really inspire songs for you?
It usually starts with a general emotion I’m feeling. Maybe one I don’t completely understand, or one that seems to be currently consuming me. I will also often sit at the piano and play around with random melodies or chords. If I happen to find something that excites me, it’s not long before I’m fully energized to write a song around it. Lastly I’d say my friends and family. I have a great inner circle of support and love. I make sure I keep those in my life who help me stay balanced and passionate to follow my creative career.
Buzz Slayers: This record has some great styles on it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically?
When it comes to producing, Jon Bellion is one of my biggest influences, along with Pharrell & Timberland. They all come from the DIY (do it yourself) school of producing, & their creative use of self-made vocal samples became addicting for me very early on. As far as songwriting, I take a lot of inspiration from artists like John Mayer or Billy Joel. In my opinion, their writing is deeply honest. They are both very good at using their music to complement the feeling or emotion that they are trying to convey.
Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
I make sure that I’m getting out into the world and having life experiences. It’s so easy to bubble yourself in when you get focused on an artistic pursuit. But I’ve learned that balancing that with experiencing life and relationships is the only way for me to stay energized on a mental, and creative level.
Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?
I’ve been binging the band ‘Styx’ lately. They’re a 1970’s theatrical rock band (popular songs being, ‘Come Sail Away,’ ‘Too Much Time on My Hands,’ & ‘Mr. Roboto’) their sound, and specifically their album ‘Paradise Theatre’ has become a foundational influence for my 2nd upcoming album.
Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now?
Unfortunately, no live performance dates. I’m back in the studio writing at the moment. I will do pop up shows at small stages here in Los Angeles during 2023. However, a tour has never been out of the question. The people that follow me & enjoy what I do will be the first ones to know when that happens.
Buzz Slayers: Did you record yourself or hit a big studio for this?
The Heightening was about half and half. I started the album as I was moving out to Los Angeles, trying to capture all the excitement & fear I was feeling all at once. Then the pandemic hit, causing me to make a few of the songs simply in my bedroom. But as the world opened back up I was fortunate enough to finish recording & editing the album in Sawtooth Music Studios here in Los Angeles. I’ve been making music in that studio ever since.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
A documentary that tells the story of making the ‘The Heightening’ is coming out on May 12th. We kept the cameras on for the entire 4 years of making the album; through moving from Connecticut to Los Angeles, then quarantine, and finally making it to a Los Angeles music studio to finish the album.
I also have a summer single coming out in early June. This is my first music release after The Heightening, and it’s the first single to my next upcoming album, being released in mid 2024.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
If you’re someone who enjoys what I do and is reading this, I would just like to say thank you. I have never really been someone to post a lot, or abide by the social media algorithms. I don’t believe in treating music as “content” or “a product.” Which is something people will tell you do if you want to get noticed.
But thanks to my listeners, my music has spread largely by word of mouth. You allow me to take the time to make what I want to make, without feeling beholden to follow the social media content strategies. I’m so grateful that there are people that enjoy what I do. I love sharing it with you all and always love seeing your reactions.