Today we speak to Skidders, an English songwriter, producer, guitarist and session guitarist. He describes his music as an eclectic mix of genres and shares a memorable moment he performed at the iconic Cavern Club.
Artist’s Name: Skidders
Genre: Electric and acoustic blues/rock
Founded: May 2016
Originated From: The Black Country – Smethwick, England
How would you describe your music?
My music is extremely eclectic. Broadly, you can say it is electric and acoustic blues/rock, however, in practice and on my albums, my tracks range from blues and rock to Celtic and bhangra! I can’t sing to save my life, so 95% of my compositions are instrumental.
What is your musical creative process like?
I’ll start with either an idea or a reason to compose a track. For example, on my debut album, I wanted to do a cool jazz number and set about putting an arrangement together and some chord progressions.
On my second and third albums, all songs were dedicated to friends and family members, past and present. Once I had made a list of these people, taking into account their personalities, the tracks sort of looked after themselves.
To put together a track, typically I will have in my mind what I want to achieve. I’d normally get an acoustic or electric guitar out to put those ideas into reality. Then when I have a rough idea of the tempo and key, I’ll record some ideas along with an appropriate beat.
As this progresses and I make changes, most will get deleted and changed or re-recorded. It takes me 10% of the time to write the track and lay down the composition and 90% of the time to perfect it. I am a perfectionist when it comes to my music!
How did you first get into music?
I have always been interested in music and was playing in a band when I was 14. It took off from there in different bands, but I didn’t really start my solo career until much later.
How did you come up with your stage name?
Rather than use my actual name, which is boring as an artist, I went for my nickname I was given by my friends. Skidders comes from my surname ‘Skidmore’ and not the state of my underpants.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
I am a member of The Label Machine and they have certainly allowed me to see what and how things can be achieved. They have a process for releasing albums and singles and I have followed that religiously for my latest album Friends & Family Vol. 2, which was released in May this year.
And I have to say, I have had more success following their process than any other of my albums.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
I perform live mainly with other ‘projects’ as my recordings are not particularly ‘gig friendly’. For example, Masala Magic from my latest alum would require a bhangra group.
However, the next album I will be working on – Feckem Hall – will be geared towards live music and therefore be more grassroots.
I played at the Cavern Club in Liverpool on both stages. It was magical. A couple of weeks later, watching TV, I saw Paul McCartney with Dave Gilmore playing on the same stage as I had been on.
What is the best thing about being a musician?
I love listening to a final mastered composition. However, it is short-lived, as I will then want to go to the next one. Playing live can be amazing too.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician?
It is so easy to publish music these days, so you are a very small fish in a massive ocean. Getting heard is difficult. The competition is immense.
What plans have you got coming up this year?
I’ll be starting Feckam Hall but also, as a session guitarist, I am recording guitar for an album by writer Kylolus.
What is your ultimate dream as a musician?
I would love to play at the Royal Albert Hall and on Jools Holland’s show. A chart success would also be nice!
You can find out more about Skidders by visiting his website.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
Also, check out my other Music Interview roundups from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022.
