Artist Of The Week #287 - Skinner
This week’s Artist of the Week is Irish No-wave artist Skinner – who has just released his debut album ‘New Wave Vaudeville’ through Faction Records.
Skinner is the project of the Dublin-based multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Aaron Corcoran who was inspired by the New York No wave scene in the late '70s/early '80s for this debut record.
'New Wave Vaudeville', the song and album title, references the New Wave Vaudeville music variety freak show that took place at the 57 Club in New York from 1978 to 1983. The club was known for its free-form art shows, a debaucherous wild riposte to creeping commerciality of modern culture of the time. "The ethos of the album is to celebrate the weird part of who you are and be proud of it," says Aaron.
Throughout the LP, Corcoran makes use of vocal training by Dara Kiely of Dublin noise-rock Gilla Band, who taught Aaron how to scream effectively while singing without losing your voice.
He took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Skinner, how are you?
So your album is out now – how does it feel to have it out there?.
Yeah it's pretty cool. I think the end goal for any artist is to create a body of work and then release it out to the world. I feel a lot lighter since it's been out, like I’ve a clean slate again so I’ve already started to write the next record. I just like making records so it's just egged me on to keep doing it more and more.
It is called ‘New Wave Vaudeville’ – what is the meaning behind that?
I took the title from a variety freakshow night that used to be held in New York in the late 70s. To me the title means individuality and freedom to be who you are and proud of it.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories you are willing to share with us?,
We recorded it in a studio in Wicklow, Ireland called ‘The Meadow with my friend Rian Trench and also my own studio in Eastwall in Dublin. We only did like 2 takes for each of the songs because I wanted to leave in the mistakes. I think it makes for more honest listening for the listener. There’s a bunch of stuff on the record where we’re playing crazy instruments like timbales and timpani drums and then lots of screaming and shouting. We even recorded the sound of someone sharpening knives and sampled it for the song ‘Calling in Sick’.
What are the key influences behind the album?
I was listening to a lot of disco music like The MIracles, Sylvester and Patrick Cawley and a lot of no wave bands like DNA, Theoretical Girls and Glena Branca. I really like the idea of mixing disco beats and percussion with heavier aggressive guitar music. I think rhythm really affects the soul more so than melody so I enjoy trying to make music you can dance to.
If the album could be a soundtrack to any film – which one and why?
Maybe Downtown 81. It's a film by Edo Bertoglio starring Jean Michelle Basquiat and it's like a snapshot of the downtown Manhattan music and art scene in the early 80s. I think the music would really compliment the visuals in that movie.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
“Black and blue from singing sorrows/ I’ll think of yesterday tomorrow” from the song ‘Here Comes the Rain”. I really like that lyric. I think it really encapsulates someone who is burnt out and the feeling that comes with not wanting to think about anything.
Now the album is out there – what next for you?
We’re going to play a show with Gurriers in YES Manchester on Jan 25th then we’re going on tour for the month of February around Ireland and the UK!
