Skyler Cocco
Photo credit: Dylan Mannarino
Singer/songwriter/producer and multi-instrumentalist Skyler Cocco has released her new single “The Drive”.
Originally built on a guitar sample from MUNA’s Splice “World Saving Sample Pack”, the alt-pop single was created with the help of Zach Miller.
“I wrote ‘The Drive’ to reflect on a time where I’ve said things I didn’t mean to my partner or lashed out in a way that made them feel insecure in the relationship,” she says.
Producing, writing, mixing, and performing all of her own records, the NYC-based artist is continuing to express her multiple talents by delivering another big record influenced by the 80’s and today’s modern sound.
“The Drive” is now available worldwide.
Photo credit: Dylan Mannarino
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
My name is Skyler Cocco, I’m a singer-songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and New York native. I began producing music in my basement when I was eleven years old on my dad’s digital 8-track. I’ve been releasing songs as early as junior high school. I also write and produce music for other artists and couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else in life, it’s truly a joy to create and express myself through music.
How would you define Skyler Cocco, the artist?
A 20-something queer woman with a lot on her mind at all times. A true DIY artist who pours her heart and soul into every aspect of her music. Not bound by any particular genre, always experimenting with her sound but falls into the pop landscape. A human, a Leo and a dreamer.
You released your debut album in 2017. What lessons did you learn since the release of that album?
The songs I wrote for that album were born towards the end of my senior year at Purchase College and my first year post-grad. I felt very stuck and very lost at the time, graduating with a degree in music and trying to stay afloat financially. Looking back on it, releasing that album taught me how to stand my ground in this industry and that a label isn’t necessary to get further in my career. I learned to stick to my intuition when it comes to my sound and brand. Being an artist and also managing my career is very challenging at times but I’ve seen much more success when I’m the one investing in it and in full control of its potential.
"The Drive" is your new single - what's the story/inspiration behind it?
“The Drive” is the cooldown period after a fight where you take some space to really let your own words resonate and see where you were wrong in a situation, and realize what you’re putting at stake by not changing those behaviors. I really wanted to write a love song about accountability and willingness to correct yourself for someone you don’t want to lose.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this record?
“The Drive” started out as a demo built on a guitar sample from MUNA’s Splice “World Saving Sample Pack.” Splice held a competition involving the sample pack and I decided to submit the demo I was working on which had the first verse and chorus. A few days later, MUNA hosted a Twitch stream to give feedback on their favorite submissions and “The Drive” was chosen as a standout track. MUNA encouraged me to finish the track and it ended up writing itself. Once I was happy with the production I finished the song with a trusted collaborator, Zach Miller, who contributed an additional guitar line and final touches on the mix.
What do you like the most about this song?
This song was one of the first songs I wrote after two months of a creative lull in quarantine. I feel like “The Drive” brought me back to life in many ways and gave me the push I needed to refocus and start creating again. I have been writing consistently since I made “The Drive” and I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t made that demo.
What made you want to release "The Drive" as a single?
The encouragement of my favorite band was definitely a huge factor in my decision to release the song. When the demo played on the MUNA Twitch stream it was received so well by their fans, so I took that as an indicator that “The Drive” could reach a wider audience and decided it was the right single to define where I’m going with my sound.
What can you tell us about your upcoming EP?
I’ve made a conscious effort to be more honest in my songwriting, which means I’m writing about my life experiences and not sugar coating a single word. I always strayed from writing about being bisexual, dealing with the manifestations of my anxiety, even writing about past relationships with moments I don’t want to relive. But as I’ve gotten older and some of those wounds have healed I’ve been able to write more freely. I want to reach people who have felt the same way as me, a little out of place and a little misunderstood. Musically the record is influenced by so many of my favorites: Grimes, Fleetwood Mac, Wolf Alice, MUNA, Lewis Del Mar and Soccer Mommy. It has moments of alt-rock and spacey synth-driven pop.
You write, produce, mix your records yourself. What's the hardest thing about doing it all by yourself? And what is the best thing about it?
I’ve been producing for many years and have always known when I need another set of ears when I’m stuck on something. I tend to be the sole writer on my songs and will produce them start to finish, but when I feel there is something lacking I know when to seek outside help to fill in the missing pieces. The best thing about doing it all myself is the pure satisfaction of hearing the ideas in my head become a finished song, with every intention and detail. I write music for people to connect to my story, but I also write music for me and I love to indulge in the process.
What equipment/softwares do you use to make music?
For almost 9 years I’ve been using Logic Pro X as my DAW and I currently use a UAD Apollo Twin interface. I tend to mix in headphones (Sennheiser HD 600’s) and I’m a big fan of Soundtoys, Izotope, Valhalla and Spectrasonics plugins/VST’s. Splice is also amazing, I’ve been using them as a go-to sample library and I love how organized the whole platform is.
What advice would you give to young producers?
Don’t wait to get started, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t make music that you instantly love right away. Growing your skills takes time and effort and you’re not always going to be completely in love with everything you make. Every time you open a new session it’s an opportunity for you to learn new techniques and experiment with your sound.
As an artist, what do you want to accomplish?
I want to make a living with this passion I have for music. I feel as though life is too short to not follow your dreams, and there’s so much I can do as long as I believe in my passion and continue gaining momentum. I definitely want to tour and get radio play in the US. I’d love to have a song chart too, whether it’s one of my own or a song I write for another artist.
What major life lesson have you learned so far?
I’ve learned that you have to work twice as hard as a woman to get ahead in this industry and that you won’t always be taken seriously. I’ve had to fight for production credit or for a room of men to recognize I’m the producer of a song due to the sexism that still runs rampant in this industry. I’ve learned that it will only hold you back when you compare yourself to others, especially other women. We’ve been pitted against each other for way too long and it’s easier to fight this battle together rather than tear each other down and fight it alone.
What are your thoughts on today's situation around the world and on the Black Lives Matter movement?
I’m deeply saddened and frightened by the current state of the world. I believe that black lives matter and a redistribution of funding towards social programs is necessary for the protection of black lives. It’s unfathomable how so many people can deny the corruption that exists in our police departments, in the prison system, and in our leadership. I want to use my platform to raise awareness and demand change, whether it reaches one person or thousands. Releasing music in the midst of a global pandemic, a human rights revolution and one of the most stressful election years in the US has been difficult to navigate, but during this time of uncertainty I feel that music is a necessary joy that we all need, whether it’s for a momentary escape from reality or a way to heal our troubles.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
To be completely honest, I think capitalism is destroying our planet and its inhabitants. Redistributing wealth in the US would allow for a more peaceful nation here. As for the world, a unified effort towards combating global warming is what we need right now.
What message do you want to deliver to the world?
Do what you absolutely adore. Don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you love. Be kind to yourself and to your fellow humans, we’re not so different after all.
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