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June 14 2012
A Conversation With Skye Stevens
Author: James Wood
Set to become the first-ever Armenian pop star, 18-year-old Skye
Stevens has dominated the internet with his first-ever music video
`Takes All Night'. The catchy `boy meets girl' dance video has become
a YouTube hit and so far has raked in over 1 million views.
With his boyish good looks, fresh sound and alluring persona, the
singer, dancer and songwriter is gaining attention from pop music
lovers everywhere.
I had the chance to speak with Skye as he begins preparations for a
club tour that will take him nationwide to cities all across the US.
In this interview Skye discusses his musical journey, what his vision
was for the `Takes All Night' video, his plans for touring, pre-show
ritual and who he'd like to collaborate with in the future.
goJimmygo: How are you Skye?
Skye Stevens (SS): I'm doing great! It's good to talk to you!
gJg: Did you ever expect to get this kind of reaction from your very
first single?
SS: In my head I've always believed every day that good things were
going to happen. Then it becomes real. It's a lot to take in but I'm
so appreciative of the fans, the DJs and the radio stations that have
all embraced the song. It's amazing!
gJg: Was music something you've been into all of your life?
SS: I started at a very young age. When I was five my Mom enrolled me
in all kinds of activities: sports, dancing classes, singing classes.
All of the activities parents put their kids into to see what kind of
things they tap into.
For me, as soon as I had my first dance class at five it just became a
part of me. From that it escalated into singing and then theatrical
shows. I really got fascinated with music and recording.
gJg: Who are some of your musical influences?
SS: Growing up, I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. His music was my
very first record. I would listen to his music and in my head wonder
what it `looked' like. I remember just being obsessed with videos
like `Smooth Criminal'. That really propelled me because I said: `I
want to do that!'
Today, artists like Usher and Ne-Yo both influence me. They inspire
me. I really respect them.
gJg: `Takes All Night' is your first single. Are there plans for an album?
SS: Definitely! We have more songs but right now we're focusing on
this single. `Takes All Night' is my introduction to the music scene.
We started in the clubs and on dance radio. From there, we landed in
the Top 20 of the Billboard Dance Chart which is extraordinary!
gJg: Amazing when you consider it's your debut single!
SS: It really is! We also landed in the Top 5 of several dance radio
stations across the country which is big especially when you consider
how hard it is for a male to break into the dance market. It's
primarily a female dominated market so as a new act succeeding in a
market you're working against means a lot!
But so many people believed in this record, including one really
famous DJ and Remixer I admire a lot: Dave Aude. He's had over 100
Billboard Dance Chart hits and made my single his `Record of The
Week'. For someone of his caliber to do that was very flattering.
gJg: What's the inspiration for the `Takes All Night' video?
SS: The record is based on a club/electric/dance type setting. For
most people you'd imagine the video might be in the club. For me
though, I really wanted to take a risk and create something completely
different. I wanted to make a short film, a movie almost. A love
story. That's where the heart of the song is when you really listen.
The video is a love story and I wanted to show that side of me as
well. As I mentioned before I'm also very inspired by Michael Jackson
and wanted to pay tribute to him in the video.
So when I dance you see the lights following my feet. That's my take
on the Billie Jean music video. It's my spin on it and tribute to him.
gJg: Do you have plans to tour?
SS: Absolutely. I'm actually trying to get myself together today. I
had a late rehearsal last night and we have another one today. We're
working on the show performance, then it's off for a session with the
dancers, then wardrobe. Every hour of the day is 100 mph. I love it!
gJg: Do you have any pre-show rituals you do prior to a performance?
SS: Yes! Even before a rehearsal. I usually get to the stage about 30
minutes beforehand. What I do is change into my stage clothes and then
spend about twenty minutes or so listening to a variety of hip hop
records. Just to feel the urban sound that's the undertone for my own
music.
I'll listen to everything from Diddy to Timberland to Lil' Wayne and
Drake and just absorb it all. That and I also have a sugar-free Red
Bull to wake up!
http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/a-conversation-with-skye-stevens/
June 14 2012
A Conversation With Skye Stevens
Author: James Wood
Set to become the first-ever Armenian pop star, 18-year-old Skye
Stevens has dominated the internet with his first-ever music video
`Takes All Night'. The catchy `boy meets girl' dance video has become
a YouTube hit and so far has raked in over 1 million views.
With his boyish good looks, fresh sound and alluring persona, the
singer, dancer and songwriter is gaining attention from pop music
lovers everywhere.
I had the chance to speak with Skye as he begins preparations for a
club tour that will take him nationwide to cities all across the US.
In this interview Skye discusses his musical journey, what his vision
was for the `Takes All Night' video, his plans for touring, pre-show
ritual and who he'd like to collaborate with in the future.
goJimmygo: How are you Skye?
Skye Stevens (SS): I'm doing great! It's good to talk to you!
gJg: Did you ever expect to get this kind of reaction from your very
first single?
SS: In my head I've always believed every day that good things were
going to happen. Then it becomes real. It's a lot to take in but I'm
so appreciative of the fans, the DJs and the radio stations that have
all embraced the song. It's amazing!
gJg: Was music something you've been into all of your life?
SS: I started at a very young age. When I was five my Mom enrolled me
in all kinds of activities: sports, dancing classes, singing classes.
All of the activities parents put their kids into to see what kind of
things they tap into.
For me, as soon as I had my first dance class at five it just became a
part of me. From that it escalated into singing and then theatrical
shows. I really got fascinated with music and recording.
gJg: Who are some of your musical influences?
SS: Growing up, I was a huge Michael Jackson fan. His music was my
very first record. I would listen to his music and in my head wonder
what it `looked' like. I remember just being obsessed with videos
like `Smooth Criminal'. That really propelled me because I said: `I
want to do that!'
Today, artists like Usher and Ne-Yo both influence me. They inspire
me. I really respect them.
gJg: `Takes All Night' is your first single. Are there plans for an album?
SS: Definitely! We have more songs but right now we're focusing on
this single. `Takes All Night' is my introduction to the music scene.
We started in the clubs and on dance radio. From there, we landed in
the Top 20 of the Billboard Dance Chart which is extraordinary!
gJg: Amazing when you consider it's your debut single!
SS: It really is! We also landed in the Top 5 of several dance radio
stations across the country which is big especially when you consider
how hard it is for a male to break into the dance market. It's
primarily a female dominated market so as a new act succeeding in a
market you're working against means a lot!
But so many people believed in this record, including one really
famous DJ and Remixer I admire a lot: Dave Aude. He's had over 100
Billboard Dance Chart hits and made my single his `Record of The
Week'. For someone of his caliber to do that was very flattering.
gJg: What's the inspiration for the `Takes All Night' video?
SS: The record is based on a club/electric/dance type setting. For
most people you'd imagine the video might be in the club. For me
though, I really wanted to take a risk and create something completely
different. I wanted to make a short film, a movie almost. A love
story. That's where the heart of the song is when you really listen.
The video is a love story and I wanted to show that side of me as
well. As I mentioned before I'm also very inspired by Michael Jackson
and wanted to pay tribute to him in the video.
So when I dance you see the lights following my feet. That's my take
on the Billie Jean music video. It's my spin on it and tribute to him.
gJg: Do you have plans to tour?
SS: Absolutely. I'm actually trying to get myself together today. I
had a late rehearsal last night and we have another one today. We're
working on the show performance, then it's off for a session with the
dancers, then wardrobe. Every hour of the day is 100 mph. I love it!
gJg: Do you have any pre-show rituals you do prior to a performance?
SS: Yes! Even before a rehearsal. I usually get to the stage about 30
minutes beforehand. What I do is change into my stage clothes and then
spend about twenty minutes or so listening to a variety of hip hop
records. Just to feel the urban sound that's the undertone for my own
music.
I'll listen to everything from Diddy to Timberland to Lil' Wayne and
Drake and just absorb it all. That and I also have a sugar-free Red
Bull to wake up!
http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/a-conversation-with-skye-stevens/