Three years since her break through release on Oliver Heldens’ label Heldeep with Who Got The Keys, SKIY has become an exciting young artist that has built a solid following since her dance music debut. Despite rapidly building a reputation as one of house music’s most exciting new talents and becoming a household name among those with their finger on the pulse, young DJ and producer SKIY doesn’t have her head in the clouds. As a trained pianist from a young age and heavily inspired by her jazz singer mother, SKIY’s sonic tastes are shaped by a solid belief that musical apprehension can take place on many different levels. Equally, her musical upbringing was as broad and rich as her global roots, which spread to Brazil, Croatia and her homeland of Germany. We chatted with her about her journey so far, and SKIY provides us with an exclusive mix that speaks toward what drives her – solid, underground house grooves that keep feet firmly on the floor.
Set the tone for us. Where did your journey with music begin?
Music has always been a significant part of my life. Both of my parents were musicians, and I had the privilege of attending their gigs from a young age. As I grew older, I found my own passion for house and techno music. It became clear to me early on that I didn’t just want to be a raver or a fan, but I also wanted to be on stage, creating and producing my own music. This realisation fuelled my journey into the world of music, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.
Over the past year, you’ve received acclaim from both critics and peers alike. What’s been the most satisfying goal to achieve in your career thus far?
I wanna create a connection between people through my music, travel the world, and meet even more inspiring people. That’s why I absolutely loved playing for Tiesto as a support act at Phantom Paris and Ushuaia in Ibiza. His sound is totally unique, and he’s just a really cool and kind person. It was such an incredible experience that totally affirmed my passion for music and performing. Also, I’m super stoked that I got my O1 visa. This opens up doors for me to play in the US, a place I already lived in LA for 6 months this year and genuinely adore the US crowd. I can’t freakin’ wait to bring my music to new audiences and keep growing in my career.
You’ve just been on tour. Could you tell us what a SKIY show looks and feels like?
For me, getting ready for my DJ sets mostly depends on the set time I’m playing and the type of venue or event I’m at. Obviously, my preparations are different if I’m playing at a cozy club or a huge festival stage. I always make sure to bring all my favorite tracks to the shows and take the audience on a journey with me. It’s crucial for me to create climaxes by intensifying the energy. And performing live gigs is all about sensing the crowd. I love observing how the crowd reacts on the dancefloor, and it’s super important to me to get everyone dancing, feeling happy, and experiencing good vibes throughout my sets.
How does this mix speak toward your current creative direction?
I play a wide range of melodic house and techno tracks, as well as some peak time bangers. I’m also really into trance! I strategically drop some trance tunes when the vibe calls for it. But here’s the thing, my main goal is to create an awesome experience for my audience. I want to make sure my sets have a good mix of different styles. My time in LA has definitely influenced my musical taste. Lately, I’ve been digging into indie and classic rock genres, and it’s really fun to blend that vibe with melodic techno. The challenge is finding songs that are unique but still work well together!
What’s next? Any exciting projects that you’re working on?
I’ve actually moved back to Berlin now and it’s super cool ’cause this place is filled with awesome, wild people. I’m in the studio almost every single day and I’ve started taking singing lessons too ’cause I wanna record my own vocals someday. But hey, I’ve got this amazing group of talented artists and singers around me here, and we’re cooking up some really exciting projects, so stay alert. I’m really stoked about this time here and there’s gonna be a bunch of fresh and awesome stuff coming your way.
Follow SKIY
