A punk-rock singer-songwriter from Sydney, Jovi Skyler's newest release 'Danger Land' is a hypnotic concoction of sludge-rock guitars with dark tones that'll create flashbacks to '90s college radio.
"'Danger Land' deals with the everyday struggle that suffocates people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its impact on their mental health," Jovi says."I tried to encapsulate PTSD at its ugliest, the nightmare of unwanted flashbacks that pierce through to alternate reality."
Currently stuck at home due to Sydney's lockdown, Jovi has not stood still during this pandemic, upskilling by teaching himself how to edit his own music videos, which he has done for the 'Danger Land' clip.
As a resident of Sydney, how are you handling the current lockdown?
I feel numb and bored. I'm pretty much a homebody, but I can imagine for many that it's getting tiresome; can't do much though, have to just wait it out and hope eventually things will get back to a new norm. I believe virtual reality will be a big part of our lives in the future.
Any tips to pass the time, ease the boredom levels that don't require you leaving your home?
The best investment to make, regardless if you are a gamer or not, would be to buy a PS4, and then play 'The Last Of Us', 'Resident Evil' or any sort of zombie apocalypse game.
With that being said, I think the best thing you can do is to be more productive with your free time; perhaps create some art.
The elevator pitch for the style of Jovi Skyler; how would you describe your sound?
Punk, alternative rock with an early '90s spirit and a twist of psychedelia.
Your current track is titled 'Danger Land', which is in part about PTSD... what inspired the song and is there a broader, deeper meaning for focusing on the affects of PTSD?
'Danger Land' deals with the everyday struggle that suffocates people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its impact on their mental health.
I tried to encapsulate PTSD at its ugliest, the nightmare of unwanted flashbacks that pierce through to alternate reality. The song was inspired by a friend I knew years ago, and how it just made life difficult for her; if it's severe, it can be quite debilitating and self-destructive.
Yeah, there is a broader, deeper meaning for focusing on the affects of PTSD – I think more now than ever. I have a friend that is overseas in the UK, and now gets extreme panic attacks just to step outside and go for a jog; because of the impact of COVID in the community and lockdowns has had. It's hard to unlearn things at the flip of a switch.
Tell us about the music video for 'Danger Land' that you filmed and edited yourself?
I put this music video together with snippets from some of my favourite flicks from the '90s. I wanted the 'Danger Land' clip to have a dream-like quality to it; a hallucination of nightmares and psychedelia.
What's the status of another EP or album release; do you have anything in the works?
Last year I had plans to release a follow-up EP, to travel overseas, to record new material and work with Killing Joke's Jaz Coleman.
I wanted to gig around Europe again too, but COVID and the travel ban derailed my plans, and am unsure of travelling and whatnot for the moment.
As things seem a bit unpredictable for the foreseeable future. I will release another single soon though, not entirely sure when, as I prefer to have a visual representation for my music.
Given the extra time you've had 'cause of lockdown restrictions; has this translated into any new skills or creative endeavours?
I suppose it would be filming and editing my own music videos, which in the past I would have never imagined myself doing, as I felt pretty lazy towards these sorts of things, as it does take a fair bit of time; but I do enjoy it now, especially with the extra time I've had 'cause of lockdown restrictions.
The years you lived abroad in Europe honing your skills... how valuable was that time for your own development as a musician?
I suppose the first year of living abroad did motivate me to write a lot of material, but I think the scenery in Europe had no impact on me as a songwriter whatsoever; it was more to do with how I kept to my routine and how I felt at the time.
I basically slept on a couch, always with my guitar and journals sprawled out next to me, so it would be like the first thing I'd do when waking up and the last thing I'd do before going to bed. I lived alone, in a small apartment, no TV, limited internet data (think 10GB a month), ate cookies for breakfast and pizza for dinner.
So I suppose it did help my development as a songwriter, not the food of course, but the ungodly amount of time I dedicated myself to it. I did write songs before that, but I just feel that life experience somehow made the process more fluid than it did before.
I think that time alone, in a foreign place, and feeling miserable for most of it, did help to tap into something I'm confident with now.
Best parts about living in Europe as a full-time musician?
I wouldn't call it full-time, but some of the time. The pokies aren't such a big thing over there, so cafes and pubs are open-minded to you playing there for an hour.
It's easier to get a gig as an unknown artist; like it wouldn't be necessary to have a Facebook portfolio. I think it's definitely a better environment around Europe for emerging artists to get a gig as a soloist playing originals, rather than just participating in an open mic.
I'm Australian, and saying that over there that you are from Sydney, well it piques their interest enough to give you a crack, as your songs would be in English, so it stands out.
Last show you binge-watched?
Nowadays? I don't really follow any shows, it seems like a big commitment for me. I think the last TV show I binge-watched was 'Twin Peaks' (season 3), and of course I binge-watch on 'South Park' every now and then. Because the characters are so hilarious of course.
Best local takeaway joint for a 2am feed that will leave you with a food coma?
I don't think it's possible to get takeaway food at 2am for the moment in Sydney, as there is like a 9pm curfew. But I suppose, if I had the appetite and we were living in 2019, it would be Maccas or Pizza Hut.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
Nah, it's all good. Thanks for the chat and your time. Stay safe!
