Exploring the Signature Sound of Skytters [Exclusive Interview]

Exploring the Signature Sound of Skytters

9/20/2019

Let's start off with the basics: How did you two first get into EDM and eventually decide on forming Skytters?
We first got exposed to EDM in 2015. At the time, DJs like Calvin Harris, Hardwell, Laidback Luke, Quintino, Vinai, and Chuckie that we heard on Italian radio stations. We're actually cousins and we both got a passion for this style of music. From that point forward, we started to discover that world day after day, track after track but independent of each other. 2016 is when everything came together and we decided to unite towards the goal of living off the music we made.

Neither of us had any formal music studies behind us although Ionel had a good talent for playing the piano which has helped us in our careers. Both of us learned how to produce by watching YouTube videos and studying project files. Around the end of 2016, Ionel moved from where we were in Italy back to our hometown of Romania for various reasons. Having that 1,700 kilometers apart made it difficult to work on projects together and so we made the decision of having Alex focus on the production aspect of Skytters while Ionel did the business stuff.

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After hearing your remix of "Oh My Girl" on Quartzo Records, we knew that you had something special with that signature sound. What was the process like for finding and perfecting that sound for future releases?
We all know that something is happening to Big Room. We're still in love with that genre and we listen to it of course, but we tried to move away from the pure big room sound by mixing it with new future house sounds. That sound came after falling in love with Steff Da Campo and meeting him at Untold Music Festival. We tried to get into that Hexagon/Future House construction style, but not the sounds. There a lot of people doing the exact same sound as Siks and Steff which is just unrespectable as an artist. The "Oh My Girl" remix is of course one of the first versions we had of this new sound, but not the best one. "Miracles" is one of our best tracks so far, complex yet energetic. More are on the way so stay tuned for new fire!

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You recently teamed up with Bangerific and Sam Knight for "Miracles" on Exposed Recordings. Can you give us a bit of backstory behind the track and how it became the version we hear today?
As we said up there, "Miracles" is one of our best tracks and it has a long history. It started around the middle of 2018 as a big room track with Bangerific and Justherz, which is why some people are still seeing his name on certain platforms. We got some feedback on the old version that mixdown was weak and not good enough to be released. The only good part was the break with Sam Knight's amazing voice and lyrics. We left the track on hold while watching the next moves of music industry.

When we returned to the project, we had another version that was softer, a kind of progressive house, but it still wasn't good enough. We got lots of support on that version, so we decided it was ready for release. Then Bangerific spoke with Justherz about a new version of the track that would include some of the future house sounds. Justherz decided then to leave the track due to the new direction and personal problems. Bangerific and us finished the new and final version which ended up blowing the mind of the Exposed owner!

What has been the hardest thing for you two about moving through the music industry and getting your music to the right audience?
We still haven't reached the right audience. For us, the hardest thing was when we had tons of big room music, we tried to reach major labels that were already started to move on to newer trends, leaving behind the big room and bedroom producers. There was a period of silence for Skytters and we ended up losing connection with fans and people. Those connections are really important nowadays, so we're looking to grow up again in industry and build our fanbase. Can't say much else, but more music is coming soon on big labels!

Outside of music, what do you both enjoy doing in your free time?
We don't have too much free time to be honest. If we're not working on music, projects or networking, you could find us helping our parents around the house, searching for new music, or trying to open a little business in the music industry. For schooling, Ionel just finished school with a focus on professional athletics and Alex has one year left of high school studying information technology.

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Whenever we do have some free time, we like to watch action or comedy movies or any festival live streams whenever they come on. Alex is also a really good chef who likes to experiment with new things in the kitchen. Free time is really valuable to us so we always try to make the most of it. Having a positive mindset is also important for us, like before we go to sleep, we tell ourselves, "Hey, today I've done another good thing in my life, I've learned something new and I'm ready for tomorrow."

Looking at 2020 and beyond, what are some of the goals that you've set for yourselves?
Spinnin' Records, Warner, Hexagon, Revealed Recordings and lots of good music! We have also had some discussions about a Skytters tour next spring and summer. Nothing is set in stone, but an Asia and India tour might be in our future!