From Covers to Club Hits: The Rise of SKYLAN in the EDM Scene

SKYLAN is still relatively new in the world of EDM but her shows and her music set her apart from the rest. She was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and is rather well-known for her efforts in revolutionizing the traditional electronic dance music. Her new song ‘High’ is a perfect summer hit tune which incorporates electronic dance elements combined with the Pop music genre and the emotions that can be associated with them metaphorically.

SKYLAN began her wonderful journey at the young age of 17 when she started covering songs on one of the most popular platforms, YouTube. It might have started with those basic equipments in school, but she has grown big and well known as a DJ and producer.

Her tunes, as she often said was influenced and composed during the festival times and when she gets to perform before live audiences have the ability to take people to the sunny side of the globe and light up the dance floors everywhere it is.

When we had a chance to talk to SKYLAN, she shared with us a few insights regarding her process of creating music, the artists that have influenced her the most, and her own experiences that are reflected in her music.

She disclosed her journey of discovering music in her early stages, her current realities, and the struggles she has faced in her journey. Thank you for watching the video and I hope you continue to follow this artist as this is just the beginning of what she will accomplish.

Listen to High below

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What is your stage name

SKYLAN

Is there a story behind your stage name?

I chose this name when I was 17 and singing cover songs on YouTube, and I’ve grown rather attached to it. I wanted something cool and different, but most importantly, I wanted a name with no ties to my real identity. Music has always been very personal to me, and I didn’t want my family and friends to have opinions about it. As I got older, this alias proved useful when I had a job where being active on social media could have been problematic. Now, it helps me differentiate between people who know me in real life and those who know me from DJing and my music based on what they call me.

Where do you find inspiration?

The way I make music now is very different from when I first started. These days, with performing and DJing, my focus is on how a song will perform in front of an audience. I’m constantly thinking about how it will fit into my set. I do a lot of different types of sets, from EDM, mostly Bass House and Dubstep, to sometimes Melodic House. I draw a lot of inspiration from the energy and reactions of the crowds.

What was the role of music in the early years of your life?

Music has always been a big part of my life. I did the typical things musical kids do—chorus, vocal lessons, and playing the flute in elementary and middle school. In middle and high school, I really got into playing the guitar. My taste in music has always been all over the place, but I’ve always appreciated the artistry in every genre.

Are you from a musical or artistic family?

Yes, my mom is super creative. I’m pretty sure I remember her saying she played clarinet in High School. I don’t have much of a connection to my dad’s side of the family, but from what I remember, they were pretty theatrical.

Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?

I’ve always had people telling me I should do something with music, but it wasn’t until I started succeeding with DJing that people stopped asking me what I was going to do for a career.

How did you learn to sing/write/to play?

I started learning how to produce music through YouTube tutorials back in 2016. I honestly got tired of paying producers and thought, “Screw it, I’ll just learn how to do it myself.” I picked up some skills from taking vocal lessons and chorus as a kid, but most of that faded over time, so I turned to YouTube tutorials again. I have a basic grasp of music theory, however to this day, I still can’t read sheet music. When I was a kid, I went out of my way to avoid learning it. My flute instructor once told my mom, “She can’t read the music, but if I play the composition first, she can play it back.”

What was the first concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform?

I was 6 years old when I went to my first concert, which was Britney Spears on her …Oops I Did It Again tour. I vividly remember her dancing on stage in that iconic red bodysuit.

How could you describe your music?

My discography is pretty eclectic. I began with Tropical House, then transitioned to Big Room House. When I felt strongly about a political issue, I expressed it through a Dubstep track, and my TikTok followers really resonated with my song “Riddim Gods.” Over the past year, my music has consistently featured heavy bass elements, but recently, I’ve been exploring a blend of pop vocals with a heavier drop.

Describe your creative process.

I don’t follow a set formula to making a song. Most of the time it begins with a melody that pops into my head, or sometimes it starts with a lyric, a drum beat, a guitar riff, or a piano chord progression. Lyrics often come last for me, and I still consider them my weakest skill in songwriting.

What is your main inspiration?

My main inspiration has evolved over time. Initially, it was other artists and their songs. Now, my sets and the audience’s reactions are my biggest sources of inspiration.

What musician do you admire most and why?

Right now, women are absolutely killing it in music. I find a lot of inspiration from the big names in pop music, like watching Chappell Roans rise to fame has been pretty cool. But my heart will always be in EDM, where artists like Nostalgix, ALLEYCVT, and Alison Wonderland stand out to me.

Better yet, Charlotte De Witte was the first woman to close out Tomorrowland in 2022. The EDM world, like many other genres, has historically been dominated by male artists. Women in EDM have often been underrepresented and underestimated, so it’s really inspiring to see them gaining more recognition and representation in the community.

Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career?

Like personal style? Yeah, I wear a lot more comfortable clothing during my sets now. I just got sick of the misogynistic comments.

Who do you see as your main competitor?

I’m more focused on staying in my own lane. Although, I do tend to get caught up in my own ambition, so in a way, I’m my own competition. I’m constantly pushing myself to explore “what’s next.”

What are your interests outside of music?

Do I have other interests? Well, kidding (kind of). I’m extremely extroverted, so I enjoy traveling, meeting new people, and catching up with friends outside of my events or work. I still bartend once or twice a week, so I still have an interest in craft cocktails.

If it wasn’t a music career, what would you be doing?

Well, I’m not in music full time just yet. DJing covers a good portion of my bills, but I still bartend once or twice a week. Funny enough, I was actually crowned Raleigh’s Best Bartender 2023 by Raleigh Magazine.

What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?

There’s been a lot of weird stuff since I started DJing. Initially, getting my foot in the door was tough; there’s a lot of gatekeeping when you’re first starting out. The whole “we’ll pay you in exposure” taboo is pretty annoying, and it’s definitely not discussed enough, especially in the EDM scene. Also, Misogyny continues to be a recurring issue.

If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?

I can handle the majority of the challenges I mentioned earlier, but if there’s one thing I could change, it would probably be transparency. It’s crucial, especially for independent artists like myself, to have clearer and more honest communication across the industry.

Why did you choose this as the title of this project?

“High” is the most frequently used word in the song. Well, technically, “I’m” is the most used word, but I didn’t think that would make a very good song title.

What are your plans for the coming months?

I have a lot of themed events here in Raleigh, NC that I’ll be DJing, but I’m also aiming to expand to other cities and states. I’ve got a few original tracks and some flips/remixes on deck that I’m really excited to release and play at some upcoming shows. Also, there’s some exciting stuff in the works that I can’t announce just yet, but yeah, I’m looking forward to it!

Do you have any artistic collaboration plans

Skrillex. He doesn’t know it yet, but if someone could just introduce us then I’m sure he’d be on board.

What message would you like to give to your fans?

That’s a bold question. I’m not sure if I have fans yet. But if there’s even just one person out there supporting me, just know ilu, your support does not go unnoticed, and please stop gatekeeping me to your friends.