Denver-based producer Skysia has long occupied a space within the bass music continuum that cultivates sound defined by unique texture, emotional gravity, and cinematic energy. Across prior releases and immersive live performances, his work has consistently leaned toward atmosphere over excess. With the Gradient Bloom album, Skysia unfurls his most synesthetic body of work to date! This polychromatic album and touring experience expands his established sound into a multi-sensory ecosystem.
The experience crystallizes in real time at Cervantes’ Ballroom on December 12th, where Skysia’s upgraded headline performance kicks off his tour and functions as the bud of a flower, ready to bloom. Rather than a standard album tour stop, the night operates as a multi-sensory threshold: layered visuals by ACTUALIZE, sculptural sound, stage design by HMNGBRD, and a stellar opening lineup that is a living extension of Gradient Bloom’s sonic architecture. Dive in with us, hawkies, as we get to sit down with Skysia and learn about his realm of sound.
Emily Lamoreaux, Electric Hawk: Hi! Thanks for chatting with us. We’re excited for this upcoming tour of yours! If you could describe the “Skysia world” to someone who has never heard your music before, or is curious about this tour, what comes to mind first?
Skysia: The world of Skysia is all about storytelling. It’s a cinematic experience through sound. Exploring both light and dark within one journey. Storytelling is one of the oldest art forms, and I try to create an experience for people that allows them to move through a variety of scenes and emotions. Transporting listeners to a new world where they can connect the story with their own lives and come out of the experience feeling more connected.
EL: We know you love combining earthy textures, deep bass, and orchestral strings for an immersive experience – are there any sounds, textures, or plugins you’ve recently become dedicated to exploring? Something new we might hear at Cervantes or in your upcoming releases?
Skysia: I’ve been really exploring bass sound design lately. Serum 2 has been so fun to play with. For a lot of my new tunes, I’ve been trying out this new thing where I create multiple stacks of basses all sitting in their own frequency range. Sometimes I have up to 6 stacks of sustained basses that create this really wide and unique sound. It’s definitely time-consuming, but once I’m able to dial in all the EQs on each channel, it sounds epic!
EL: That sounds so unique! Your tracks have this meditative, cinematic quality that we LOVE; what’s a non-musical influence that’s recently shaped how you approach producing?
Skysia: Film has always been such a huge passion of mine. I actually went to school for filmmaking in college and that was supposed to be my entire life. As things shifted towards music, I found myself incorporating film stories into my music. Creating songs came so naturally to me when I was able to envision a full story behind it with main characters, scenes, and a story arc.
Some films that have really inspired me over the years have been: Upstream Color, Arrival, Waking Life, Whiplash, Victoria, The Before Trilogy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight), and so many more. All of these examples are such entirely different films, but I feel like they’ve helped me understand how stories can be told in such different ways. Music is the same. So many different ways to communicate a message, emotion, feeling, etc. I try to use these different types of story arcs in my sets and songs as well.
EL: In music, things are always changing! Have you had a moment lately where something has really stuck with you or shifted your perspective?
Skysia: One thing I struggle with in this industry is just how much pressure I put on myself. I’m definitely a perfectionist in a lot of ways, and every big show on the horizon kinda makes me a little crazy.
(laughs)
I put so much care and attention to detail in the music/sets, and sometimes I take it a little too far. It gets to a point where I barely eat and am laser-focused in the studio for days. This definitely puts some stress on the body. But I had a chat with a friend recently who reminded me why we do this. Yes, take these shows and opportunities seriously, but also, it’s meant to be fun. There can easily be a balance between the two things. This was a solid reminder for me to enjoy the process and be a little easier on myself.
EL: Cervantes is a venue with a ton of soul, history, and community energy. What makes this show special for you at this moment in your career?
Skysia: I feel like I’ve been building towards shows like this for a long time. Ones where I have a
budget to really create an experience for people. I’ve always had these big ideas but have never had the proper stage or budget to pull them off. I want people to feel like they stepped into a new world when they come to see me live. This show, as well as the Gradient Bloom album and tour, feels like the start of a new era where I can really craft a special experience for everyone.
EL: Is there a track you’re most excited about (or nervous!) to play on your Gradient Bloom Tour? One that feels like it marks a new chapter for your sound?
Skysia: I’m really excited to play this new remix I made for Jaenga! I rarely get to work with vocals so this was quite a new experience for me. On top of that, I also tried out a ton of new sound design things on this one. This tune does feel like a new chapter for my sound in certain ways. I’ve always loved the idea of blending super melodic sections with heavy bass sections, and sometimes it can be difficult to merge those worlds in a way that feels natural, but I’m so happy with how this one turned out. It will be a special moment in the set for sure!
EL: Looking back on your artistic journey this past year, what’s one challenge that changed you, and what’s one triumph that reminded you why you chose this path?
Skysia: This year has been full of pretty intense life stuff. It’s probably the first time in my career where I was pulled away from the studio for an extended period of time. It’s tough when I’m not able to create. I don’t feel like myself, but over time, I learned to trust the process. The break was necessary, and I feel like I came back into the studio with a whole new perspective.
EL: Breaks are good for the soul, and I’m glad that break helped you! Any new cities you’re excited to play in during the Gradient Bloom Tour now that you’re back on the road?
Skysia: Super excited to play in Atlanta with Somatoast. ALSO… Hawaii!
Grab Tickets to the December 12th Cervantes show here!
