Emmett Skyy
HG: First and foremost, I want to talk about where you are from, your history, and what got you into music?
ES: I Grew up in the South in Baton Rouge an hour outside of New Orleans. My mom’s born in New Orleans and My dad in this little Cajan town. I grew in the church singing, my whole family’s singers. I have a twin sister who is a singer, and two other brothers who are professional singers as well. Singing in the church started my early development with music, and the arts. Both my parents were educators and had a fashion boutique. As a kid I would go to the marketplace with them and buy/sell clothes. That sparked a lot of my interest in fashion and tailoring. I had a lot of fun growing in Louisiana, being in the south where it gets super-hot. A lot of people would congregate for BBQ, s and things like that. My grandparents were both singers and passed it down to my parents. My grandfather was bishop in the church, and all my uncles on my mom’s side are pastors. Everyone in the family sings gospel. Music was just something that was already there coming out of the womb. As kids my brothers and I sang in a 200-voice choir and traveled the world singing gospel music. During that time, I was introduced to musicians like Johnny Cash, James Taylor, The Beatles, & Jimmy Hendrix. I grew up on folk, blue grass, country music etc. So, when I first heard rock n roll I was like oh that’s the music I grew up on, but in a different way and was very inspired by it.
HG: When did you decide you wanted to move to LA and pursue music?
ES: Around 2008-2009, I was a road manager for my cousin at the time who had a huge following. We traveled all over, but I always had a love for LA. An opportunity come up for me to record at a studio in LA, so I decided to book a one-way ticket. It was blind faith, but I wanted to expand my horizon and do something different. A lot of doors started opening up. You definitely have to pay your dues, but LA has a way of pulling you in.
HG: What inspires your music and writing the most?
ES: It’s an emotional thing for me. Its moments. I used to try and chase songs like how you I would go fishing and try to catch that fish. However right now what inspires me more is my relationships, life, God, people, situations, the journey, truth, & heartfelt emotions that people go through every day. I love co-writing with people. It’s a different perspective, and it puts you in a vulnerable space to open up to someone else. It’s cool to share and bounce off different creative ideas. It’s challenging, and I think it actually expands an artist’s ability to write better. A lot of my favorite songs I’ve written, I did by myself when it just came to me. One in particular that a lot of people love, is from a classic country/folk record. It’s called ‘On My Way Home’ that’s about me going to see my father when he was battling cancer. He almost died of cancer, and I was on my way home from LA and this song came to me in like 20 minutes. It is special that a pivotal moment, something can download and become a beautiful story.
HG: What have been some of your favorite memories of touring?
ES: I did more acoustic tours. Working for companies like BMW on the arts and design side. in places like Hong Kong for Art Frieze, & Art Basel. I had a couple of residencies at Soho House. I find it really cool how much people love intimacy, when they can just hear you on stage and not the full band.
HG: If you had the opportunity to get signed and change the avenue you’re currently in, would you?
ES: I’m open to it. Especially after this whole catastrophe with Covid, and the last year we’ve had. I sort of cleared the canvas of whatever I’ve been doing. If it aligns with my vision and feels genuine and authentic. It’s hard enough on an artist to get financial support and media support. I’ve pounded the pavement in that way, it is fun in a way because it strengthens you and gives you a better vision. it’s important to me that my music has a message, it has to be story even down to design and fashion. I’m not into just throwing something out there for public consumption, I feel like there is so many artists. So much stuff out there, that is just stuff. I want to make something that inspires others more than anything.
HG: Can you talk to us about Emmett Sky studio jewelry and what got you into that?
ES: I did my own self-study on design, and I was going to go to college for it. However, I opted out to focus on my music. I have always had a natural nak for it. Whether it was furniture, clothing, hats, jewelry. I’ve always loved artisans. Things that are naturally made and hand crafted. I do a lot of research on artisanal design which draws me in because it feels like it is telling a story. A business friend of mine introduced to me to her jeweler. He became a big fan of the music; he would come to the studio and the shows etc. he approached me with the idea of doing a collaboration. He ended up introducing me to his family which are 6/7 generations in of jewelers. Told him that I love Japan and hummingbirds. So we came up with the idea of an origami hummingbird, which to me represents love, peace and light.
HG: I know you recently got into a major horse-riding accident recently has that affected you being able to play music.
ES: On my birthday I was riding horses in Malibu, and it was a freak accident. I had already been riding the horse for about an hour. At the tail end of the ride, I dropped the reigns. Which spooked the horse. The horse just took off and I had nothing to hold onto. I fell and, in the moment, I didn’t even realize how bad the fall was until I tried to stand up. I thought I was paralyzed for at least 3 minutes I couldn’t feel anything. I was in so much pain, I shattered my femur, and broke my hip. I ended up in a 5-hour immediate emergency surgery, where they cut me from the top of my hip all the way down my leg. After that happened and processing how traumatic it was. I didn’t really play music that much for a while. I’m grateful to say that now my leg is 95% healed today. The accident happened about 8/9 months ago. They told me it would take about a year for the muscle atrophy to fully consolidate.
HG: You’re recently married and have a brand-new baby, can’t you tell us how you met your wife and the experience of being a new dad?
ES: My wife and I met, because she actually came to one of my shows. She was dating someone at the time, and so was I. I met her briefly, so it wasn’t even a thought. We both ended our relationships, and she actually reached out me (DM”d) me. Told she really loved my music and my style etc. we decided to get together and hang out. It was like such a natural connection. We didn’t force it, she wasn’t looking for anything. I wasn’t looking for anything, but im always about love and I love connection. She loves style, art, & music. She loves rock n roll; it was just so natural with her. Her name is Julia, and we now have a 2-month-old baby boy named Elam Reese. Before Elam came, we decided to go to Vegas and got married. We took a road trip to Yosemite. It was really inspiring to just get on the road. We ended up back in Canada, where we have been living on a mountain for the last 6 months.
HG: Has living a more secluded lifestyle inspired any of your music?
ES: I don’t hear a lot of noise, verses being in a city. When you’re living in a city there is so much going on and your ears get cluttered. Being in nature, I find it clears up everything opens up your ears, your mind. You can hear your one voice, your own conscience. It is huge difference; nature opens up a whole new world. It has been very life changing for me. I’m working on a new song now called “Thunder Rolling” which I wrote up on the mountain. it’s my favorite tune right now, because the lyrics are so inspiring to me right now. Talking about the thunder rolling into me reflects life. There is so many things coming your way in life, whether its own self, your own demons. Good things coming, and bad things coming. We all are dealing with the situation’s life brings us, and that is what the song is talking about.
I’m working on a new record and putting out an EP this year, since Elam has arrived. I feel like I am able to really put my mind on the art and tell a story. I will also be working on a short art films, I am excited to start sharing stories in another way.
HG: Lastly what do you love about your Heir Grooming?
ES: I love the Hair and Beard oil! It smells amazing, feels super smooth, and it’s not too aggressive. It relaxes me and my hair.
