Originally written for Vibez Music
Violet Skies is Welsh singer-songwriter you should be listening to. She’s got a soft sound but is an amazing lyricist with a big voice.
Violet Skies has sung at Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing stage and her music has been played by Huw Stephens on Radio 1. Tara Davies was able ask Violet Skies a few questions so you can get to know her before popping her songs on your playlists.
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.
What did you listen to growing up and are there any new artists you’re currently loving?
I’m currently really into Emilie Nicholas and Lianne Le Havas, both their new albums are INSANELY GOOD. Also THEY. are brilliant. Growing up it’s a nice clean mix of Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Donny Hathaway, Amy Winehouse and then everything 90s pop. Spice Girls 4lyfe.
I follow you on Instagram and have seen you’ve co-founded a company which specialises in writing camps for women in music called sheWrites. Can you tell us a bit about sheWrites and what drove you to create it.
sheWrites is co-founded with my best pal Charlie McClean, producer and wonder-woman. We worked together and both hated that working with women in music was still a novelty. 2017 we ran our first all-female camp (writers producers and artists all women) and now in 2020 we’ve done more than I thought possible all over the world. It’s fun, I meet amazing women and get to introduce talented women to each other.
This may be difficult to answer in the midst of a pandemic, but what can we expect to see in the future from you?
Music. Soon I hope, I’ve written the next 8 songs or so and we’re finishing them now. Also a duet 🙂
And then finally, which of your songs is your favourite to perform?
Lonely! Just because it’s newer probably.
Why not check out Lonely here!
The Taragraph 