Words by Carol Wright | Photos Courtesy of Skipper!
The musical duo chatted with us about their songwriting process, their song “Stupid Ache”, and their advice for aspiring musicians.
How did the musical duo SKiPPER! come to be?
First, we want to say ‘thank you’ for having us! At first, I (Corinne) was working as a solo artist and Michael was producing. Most everything we wrote was together, so we decided to join forces and become a duo. Once we started finding our electro-pop sound I wanted Michael to be just as much a part of it as I was. We both went to the same school for music but met in NYC back in 2016.
Your first release was a cover of “Perfect Day”. Why did that song seem like a fitting first release?
We occasionally DJ for an outdoor silent disco adventure called What The Float. At this event, you are asked to create a route located in parts of NYC and set it to music. We decided to use the original Perfect Day (from Legally Blonde) in an open elevated grass plaza. People really liked it! Riding off of that high, we decided to create our own version. It is familiar and people love nostalgia, so we thought it would be a good first release.
What is your songwriting process?
It varies a lot. Usually, I will write lyrics in my notepad at random times of the day. If I have a good idea and I’m in public, I’ll run to the corner of a room and sing into my phone. I probably look crazy! *laughs* Sometimes I have a fully-fledged melody in mind, sometimes I don’t at all. I’ll then create the basic idea in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and send it to Michael. That’s then we beef it up. He’s truly able to make the vision in my mind come to life! Sometimes we write the lyrics together other times Michael will write the instrumental first. One thing is for certain – lyrics are very important to me in our original music. I believe storytelling is a key point in making music. Whatever we do, it’s always collaborative. There is a specific feeling when two minds meet and get excited to create. It’s almost euphoric.
What was the inspiration behind your new song “Stupid Ache”?
We wanted a track about being in a long term relationship. We hadn’t heard many of those lately. When you are with someone for a while, there can be times when they know you better than you know yourself. Stupid Ache is about putting in the hard work and growing together through the phases of dating. In a way, you become used to the person but through it all – you still love every detail about them…even when they drive you crazy. We wanted a track that didn’t romanticize romance, but instead shined a light on a more realistic perspective. I’ve always idolized Alanis Morissette’s honest lyrical style. That’s definitely an inspiration too.
Can we expect an EP from you guys in the near future?
Eventually! For now, we are focusing on getting out singles for our fans to continue learning our sound. We want to establish more of a following before we release an EP. That being said, we do have enough material to create one! But in due time.
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
Just start somewhere. At first, the music you create might not be very good. You just have to push past that learning period. Growth takes time. It takes more time than you think…or want. So, just stick with it. If you have the drive and the passion – keep going! I love to get lost in the aesthetic style too. If the visual creative side entices you, really deep dive into it. And study. Study everything! Be that business or art – be open to learn new things daily. And last, comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t beat yourself up if somebody is in a different place than you. Focus on yourself and if social media is causing you negativity be sure to take breaks.
