Skye has released two full-length solo records to date, “Noise From The Basement” on Capitol Records (2004) and “Sound Soldier” on EMI (2007). Skye’s current musical endeavor is Sumo Cyco, a project mixing her unique pop/punk sensibilities with a metal band. Sumo Cyco released has released two albums, “Lost in Cyco City” (2014) and “Opus Mar”(2017). Skye also appears on over 30 album compilations worldwide, with total sales in the millions.
Some highlights of Skye’s musical career include, opening for Britney Spears on her Onyx Hotel Tour on 50 dates throughout Europe and North America, as well as preforming as the “singing” voice of Barbie in Mattel’s “The Barbie Diaries.” Skye has performed live before over two million people in over 25 countries worldwide as well as being a featured performer on the Jay Leno and Craig Kilborne Shows. Her band Sumo Cyco has recently opened for acts such as, Coal Chamber, Nonpoint, Fozzy, Butcher Babies and Mushroomhead. They have played festivals such as Warped Tour, NXNE, Sound of Music, CMW and in 2013 won Toronto’s Indie Week.
Skye has written and performed songs featured in various films, T.V. shows and video games, such as Laguna Beach, Nickelodeon’s Wayside School, Radio Free Roscoe, Hotel for Dogs, Super Monkey Ball and The Sims Pets.
Skye was signed to a publishing contract at the tender age of fourteen, at the time she was the youngest person to be signed to EMI publishing in Canadian history. Skye is currently a Sony/ATV published songwriter with over 15 years of experience, she has worked with some of the most celebrated hit makers of the decade, such as The Matrix (Lauren Christy, Scott Spock, Graham Edwards) (Avril Lavinge, Hilary Duff, Korn), Greg Kurstin (Adele, Lily Allen) and Max Martin (Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears). Skye also wrote extensively with punk rock legend Tim Armstrong from Rancid and was featured on the hit “Into Action” This was the number one requested song on KROQ in LA in 2007.
Complimenting her musical career, is Skye’s love of nurturing a very active online community. Skye has made a multitude of music videos to promote herself on her YouTube channel, now close to 10 million views and Sumo Cyco’s channel with an extra 3.8 million. To capitalize on this talent, Skye has directed music videos, EPK’s, behind the scenes footage, creative online content and animated videos. Her clients include CMT, country pop stars Leah Daniels, Meredith Shaw, YTV’s The Next Star Winners Charlie and Brooklyn Roebuck, Slaight Music Artists as well as pop up- and -comers such as Stacey Kay and Jillea.
Skye continues to be creative in all aspects of her multi-faceted career, and constantly evolves as an artist, songwriter and filmmaker.
Do you have a process to songwriting or when creating music?
I find that I do have my ‘best practises’ but I always try to open myself up to new pathways of creating. Straying from the trusted path can be a great way to get a new perspective and potentially find new ways to produce your best work. When I first started writing music I had a hard time opening up to potential collaborators. As we creators know, writing can be a very personal process. I would always prefer to take home a copy of the music, write the lyrics and melody alone, then regroup once I felt I had the best ideas to put forward. As I grew as I writer, and was thrust into more collaborations and situations. I grew to feel more confident in sharing the first ideas that popped into my head. Sometimes, I give myself challenges. For instance, writing a verse as fast as possible or holding to a specific predetermined lyrical theme. These can be exciting ways to prove to myself that even within “the box” some of the best work can be produced because I’m focused rather than floating around with too many limitless options.
How has your music evolved since you first became a recording/performing artists?
I started writing at a very young age. I remember making a 3-piece girl group at age 9 and performing our songs “Friends Forever”, and “I Love the Beach” to my entire class at school. My infatuation with boy bands and groups like the Spice Girls faded into a need to rebel. I started working with a young songwriter/producer named James Robertson who was a very talented guitar player who opened me up to all guitar based music when I was 13. I began to write angsty lyrics about skipping school, parents expectations and how immature boys were, all backed by pop-punk guitar riffs. It was a few years later when I reached 20 that I told myself I had to loose the “teen” sound and find a musical style that I could grow into as an adult. I fell in love with a Dancehall Metal band based in UK named Skindred. It was aggressive, yet fun and I loved the fact that I wanted to head-bang and dance at the same time. I told my friend/guitarist Matt Drake that I wanted to start a band with a similar feel. My current project Sumo Cyco was born. Cool thing is, Benji the lead singer of Skindred is featured on our song “Move Mountains” from our last album. Dreams come true and full circle at that!
Do you have any advice for upcoming songwriters and creators who are looking to break further into the creative scene?
I’ve had experience as a priority artist at Capitol Records in Hollywood and I’ve been working as an independent artist for the last 10 years. I’ve seen both sides of the coin as far as what it’s like with lots of funding to zero funding. A few things come to mind that apply to both. Always be the captain of your ship. In this industry there’s some sort of perception that someone or some company will “discover” you and all the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place. This is not true. Even if you find a great team member or members that believe in the project, it does not mean that the work is done; in fact it’s just the beginning. No one will have your best interests as heart more than you will for yourself. So be your best advocate, toot your own horn, put yourself in the situations that can breed success. You have to know where you want your ship to sail or else the current may take it it in an entirely different direction.
