FEATURE: Spotlight: Violet Skies — Music Musings & Such

FEATURE:

Spotlight

Violet Skies

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AN artist I have featured before…

I wanted to spotlight Violet Skies. At the moment, there are not that many recent (in the last couple of years) interviews with her. The Welsh musician is turning thirty on Valentine’s Day. Rather than depress her – thirty is baby age! -, I wanted to show how much she has achieved with her music so far! I think that Violet Skies (real name Hannah Berney) is going to be developing as an artist and will be around for so many years. I have been listening to Violet Skies’ music for years. Whilst some might say she is an established musician who is not rising, the point of this feature is to spotlight someone who deserves to be better know; an artist that is not yet in the mainstream, but will be one day. An artist of the highest calibre, she put out the single, The Internet, a couple of weeks back. I really love the video for that song. I interviewed Violet Skies for my blog back in 2017. I will crib from a couple of interviews from the past couple of years, and source one that is a bit older. Before coming to some interviews, it is worth bringing in a bit of background regarding a mesmeric and hugely talented artist:

“You’ll be familiar with Violet Skies without realising it. Having spent the last few years writing for other artists around the world, as well as founding sheWrites, a global series of female-only writing camps, Violet Skies is setting up her stall alongside her artist peers; a Welsh singer-songwriter with ambition as big as her voice.

Growing up in a village in Wales, UK, she’s a self-confessed nerd, perfectionist and has known since the age of 4 that music was her future. Violet Skies, (adopting her grandmother’s name) writes “pop with teeth” and co-produces all her music; a combination of searingly emotional vocals, uncomfortably honest lyrics about her relationships, and infectious melodies.

The resulting output walks a fine line between making you cry about an ex you thought you were over – and laugh about the one you’re glad got away.

Prior to flipping to interviews from 2020, I want to go back to 2016. At this point, Violet Skies was a relatively new act. When she spoke with What Olivia Did back in 2016, she was about to head off to SXSX in the U.S. This was a year when a lot of people were discovering Violet Skies for the first time. The South Wales-born musician was asked about some of her musical inspirations:

“So, have you always had an interest in music? Did you grow up in a musical household- what was your earliest musical memory?

I couldn’t not like music because my parents played more music than anything else. We never had a quiet house, and music was often at the centre of our experiences. They first took us to Glastonbury when we were about 10. One of my earliest musical memories though, is singing in a school play as Puss in Boots. Rock and roll!

You’re about to release your second E.P, following the release of your amazing track One Day, Thee Autumns- and of course your Dragons E.P- how does it feel the second time around?

Equally as scary as the first time, like letting a little baby out into the wild! I’m just happy to be sharing music again and finding out what people feel when they hear the music.

Where do you seek inspiration for song writing? Is everything based on experience, or is there a particular place or time you like to get writing?

I write lyrics a lot when I’m travelling or in the shower, and mostly they’re about one particular person and sometimes my other personal experiences, as well as sometimes other people’s stories. Writing’s a bit like a muscle though, so the more you do it the more you’re able to write at any place or time.

PHOTO CREDIT: What Olivia Did

Musically, who or what inspires you? Are there any other artists you look up to, or admire?

Here’s a mini playlist that should give you an idea…

Joni Mitchell – A Case of You

Stevie Wonder – All In Love is Fair

Spice Girls – Every Damn Song

Alison Krauss – Baby Now That I’ve Found You

Kwabs (prod by Sohn) – Last Stand

James Blake – Retrograde

Massive Attack – Teardrop

Kevin Garrett – Refuse

Nao – Bad Blood

Rae Morris – Don’t Go

Lana Del Ray – Born to Die

Ben Khan – Eden

Jack Garrett – I Couldn’t Want You Anyway

Billy Joel – Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)

Paul Simon – Homeless

Last year you were so busy with festivals and gigs (which is hugely exciting)- which was your favourite, and which the most nerve wracking?

Ooh my fave was probably the headline london show I just did in December, I didn’t expect anyone to turn up so it was a big surprise walking out and being genuinely shocked that people were all there filling the venue – we had a really fun show.

You’ve also got an amazing look, style and incredible stage presence- what inspires your outfits on stage and your personal style? I wish I could pull off the bleached look so well!

Aha thanks! No-one’s said that before! My style comes from growing up with my Mam to be honest – she has a jewellery and shoe wardrobe (the dream) and just always wears what she wants. I gradually found my own style which came from needing something simple to wear, so I’m not stressing before I go on stage. Essentially clean long lines, various black textures and maybe some white if I feel like it.

Do you have any tips for young girls trying to make it into the music industry? What has been the most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Someone well-known and very lovely told me that she didn’t have the best voice and she knew it (I disagree), but she worked so much harder than her peers that eventually it had to happen. I always think if you’re not doing it – someone else will. Also – girls – play instruments and produce, and learn to engineer your own sessions. Life will be infinitely more creative! Also – take advice but don’t ever let anyone tell you what’s right for you – it’s easier to live with your own decisions than someone else’s”.

I want to come more up to date. I am not sure whether there is an album planned for Violet Skies. She has put together so many great singles and E.P.s through the years (2020’s E.P., Lonely, in my view, was her best work to that point). I do think that 2022 is a breakthrough year where she will collaborate with mainstream artists; her music will get to a much larger audience. In this interview from 2020, Violet Skies was asked about her unique moniker; in addition to writing for big artists:

“Firstly, for those who are new to you, how would you describe the music you typically create?

Honest — always — perhaps a little too honest. I’m drawn to ballads and story telling, and often my songs are sad. But no apologies there, I like sad songs.

This is probably something that you’re very frequently asked, but how did you come to choose the stage name Violet Skies?

Haha always. Violet is my great grandmother’s name. And Skies was my Mam’s idea, I think? It just felt like me.

You’ve written a lot of music for other artists like Mabel and have co-written with big singer-songwriters like Finneas, but when did you first start writing music?

When I was 13 or so, and then really understood songs and finished them when I was about 16/17.

Where do you get your inspiration from when writing new music? Do you have a process or is it just a sort of natural flow of things?

My process is always different (always!!) but I will more often than not, start with chords and melodies often follow. I tend to have an idea or concept in mind when I start singing and that guides the mood. When I write for artists though, I let them lead or prompt them, it’s their vision and I’m there to facilitate that”.

In the coming weeks, I am highlighting artists who I feel will make their presence truly dwelt this year. Violet Skies is someone who I have a lot of respect for. A tremendous artist with so much ahead of her. Before the pandemic started, Violet Skies relocated to L.A. (I think for a brief spell, rather than a permanent move). LDN brought up her amazing project, sheWrites:

“How are you finding LA compared to Wales?

LA is a lot less green, a lot busier, but still full of lovely people (despite the stereotype of Hollywood).

For those that aren’t familiar to your music, please could you introduce yourself and the kind of music you make.

All the things you wished you could have said to an ex, or even current lover, with a lot of
piano.

Who did you grow up listening to? And your inspirations now?

Joni Mitchell, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Carol King. Now I listen to everything, pretty recently obsessed with Kevin Garrett, MUNA, Orla Gartland and Phoebe Bridgers.

Is there anyone you would like to work with?

Joni Mitchell. Julia Michaels. David Gray. Rihanna. I’ve got very mixed tastes.

You co-founded sheWrites, an amazing series of female-only writing camps – tell us about that.

Thank you! I co-founded it with Charlie McClean and we run camps/curated sessions all over the world with the intention of giving the best of the best space to make friends, make all-female-created songs and make an impact on the charts and the award shows. We’re out here trying to change the industry and we’re not quiet about it.

Do you have any tips for songwriters?

Write every day. Be disciplined about setting aside time to write. Play music to your friends and watch them whilst they’re listening. Learn to produce.

How do you go about writing a song? Do you have a specific setup? Do you do lyrics first, then melody, etc.?

It changes every single day. I don’t often write alone so I’m usually in other people’s studios working. I like to start with chords and have a rough idea of where the concept is heading, but often I’ve walked into the room and sung something acapella and started like that. It’s not the same for me any single time!”.

Go and follow Violet Skies on social media. I would urge you to check out all of her songs. For this feature, I am dropping in her more recent tracks. Always improving as an artist, I wanted to salute someone who is going to be a major artist very soon. She has put so much work in since 2015/2016 - and, in those years, established a dedicated and passionate fanbase. If you have not discovered the joys of Violet Skies’ music, then go and check her out…