Skip Curtis is the lead singer of the haze-pop band XY&O but now he’s having his own adventure. He recently embarked on a solo endeavor and Nashville Noise chatted with him about the solo single, “Messed Up.”
Nashville Noise: So you’re part of a band but also have this solo endeavor. Do you feel more pressure as a solo artist?
Skip Curtis: I don’t think there’s pressure really. I guess it’s more expectancy than pressure and, to be honest, I think there’s more expectancy being part of the band than a solo artist. As a band, we have an established sound so people expect to hear that when you release a record. As a solo artist, it’s totally new, there’s no existing discography to sonically live up to or be measured against. It’s liberating!
How does your solo sound differ from the band’s sound?
SC: It’s much more guitar led. I guess you’d call it a singer-songwriter sound, whatever that means! The band is electro-haze pop and my solo stuff doesn’t have any elements of electro to be honest. It’s real instruments, guitars, drums and bass rather than beats and synths.
You just released a new single, “Messed Up.” What’s the story behind that song?
SC: It’s a kind of [a] weird, selfish love song — about trying to go down in flames but apologizing for it at the same time. There are some people who just can’t seem to help themselves in life and love, self-saboteurs who can’t help but destroy the good things they have going.
How has the song been received by fans?
SC: Amazingly well! The coverage the song got online was great and, in the handful of live shows I’ve played on so far, the song has gotten a really good response. People like the darkness!
Do you have more solo music in the works?
SC: Tons. I’ve got about 40 tracks written, all in various states of recording. Some completed masters, some just home demos and loads in between. I’m in the process of trying to figure out what songs work best together to put out as a first album really. It’s close though, a few more studio sessions and I think it will be there.
Lastly, what else can we expect from you this year?
SC: Live shows and more music hopefully! I’ve got some cool shows lined up in the UK, some stripped back gigs and some full band shows. And, as for new music, I’m hoping to release more singles building towards an album as soon as it makes sense to release. Basically, as soon as enough people care.
Check out the song below and stay tuned for more from Curtis.
