Bukky Sky was born and bred in Bradford but now based in London. He is a songwriter and singer of Neo soul music in the known alternative atmosphere of London. Bukky Sky has just released his first single, Amazing, of his debut EP Brave in Love. The single is accompanied by a music video with hazy old school cinema visuals. This artist uses the music as a way of expression sharing beauty, strength and hope amidst the challenges of life.
In your new EP Brave in Love, what could your fans find in it?
A movie-like experience. Where people can pop in their earphones, be dropped into my mind's cinema and hear some stories! The existential search for the girl/boy, and the journey to discovering purpose. Looking at yourself in the mirror, coming out from the dark and into the light and learning to trust yourself! There is a classic-vintage-pop feel in some tracks, whereas in others we really genre-hop, threading through some sexy RnB - embracing a retro-futurism vibe, almost going towards 80s-electronic in some tracks.
What has been the path you have taken to make this musical project come true?
Big question! It's been many years in the making, as in any career you are moulding your craft and raising it to the level where it can emerge. "Amazing" I wrote a couple of years ago. I had it more as a classic-piano piece. When I took it to my producer Rob Flynn he jazzed-it-up and made it more pop-friendly. I was driving to Brighton/Worthing (UK) from London to go get the drums recorded and have sessions with Rob. The rest of the EP I wrote in lockdown. They came really easily, they just kind of fell out in the studio, like they had been waiting patiently! I sent my demo's over to Rob and he took them to this future-facing sound whilst keeping them grounded in a classic kind of costume. Since then I've been collaborating with other visual artists such as Jonathan Hallam who worked on the "Amazing" video, Arnold Pryada, Hajin Yoo and Hannah Knowles for the other video's we have coming out.
Who are your artistic references that guide you in your music? Do you have any method of inspiration as a songwriter?
Most of my musical references are those guys that take out their heart and put it on a plate. Kanye West is somebody like that. Benjamin Clementine is somebody like that. NO HOLDS BARRED get out your emotion and articulate yourself simply and fully. The Smiths, Bob Dylan. The Arctic Monkeys and The Last Shadow Puppets - story-tellers. I love the way Arlo Parks poetically distills this kind sentiment. Jack Penate's "After You" blended genres amazingly, and gives license to other artists to explore their shadow side. Michael Kiwanuka blending soul and indie. Celeste's soulful vocals inspire me. Christine and the Queens' flowing between masculine and feminine energies is just mesmerising - leaning into more of what you are has really invigorated me creatively.
I have two methods in writing. I could be anywhere (though hopefully in my house) and an idea will come to me like, floating through my mind. I will then dive into the studio in my bedroom, capture it and then build around it, doing whatever feels natural. I write the bones of the song with the main melodies, the vibe of the drums. Maybe a vocal sample, a backing vocal, more instrumentation, and I'm just LOCKED IN. Time disappears, and I keep going until it's finished. Then I emerge walking on some cloud, full of satisfaction - It feels great!! I also mindfully go in the studio and say "I'm going to write". Then I look around for slithers of inspiration - "do I feel like touching the piano? Do I feel like picking up the guitar? Do I have a drum beat in my head? Or a sound?" Then I start playing with that and see what comes. Then I build around it. Super simple. Lots of trust, lots of fun.
Of all your songs, do you have a favourite one?
Yes my favourite one is usually the last song I wrote. When I finish a demo I can't stop listening to it. It's as if I have made the song just for me and I can re-process the feeling that is in there and re-experience it. Which makes it sound much less narcissistic!
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What other musical genres do you like besides the neo soul? As a musical artist, would you like to try other genres? Which one?
I love jazzy soulful-house, with sprinkles of world music, old school afro-beat (fela-kuti - My dad knew him!), french disco house like Breakbot and Bellaire. I love Chaos in the CBD - they're amazing producer's/DJ's with such a varied taste. I love this new mixture of rap/house/indie/world from people like Channel Tres. I'm interested to create more upbeat-dancey music in the future - I love to move!
I have read in you website you have a law degree. When did you change your mind and decide to become a musician?
Studying law was amazing for developing the intellect but my soul felt like it had been put into a straight-jacket. Poetry, meditation, photography and writing music were like cracks of light when it felt like I was in solitary confinement! I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do when I left University but I wanted to find out. I tried photography which which beautiful, as well dj'ing which I still do now. But music has always stuck, since being 17 I wrote music to understand the world and express myself. To communicate with people. A special person in my life once asked me "What do you want to do? You can do what you want but you have to choose one thing." I said I choose music. I haven't looked back since.
What do you think about the current music scene? Nowadays, do you think musical artists who are starting their career, have it easy or difficult to achieve success?
I'm encouraged by the music scene - there is an emotional maturity coming through which I really resonate with. There is also an amazing genre-shifting and genre-bending occurring where people are seamlessly crossing over depending upon their intuition. It's about the soul behind the music, the genre is just the vehicle of expression. I think every musician has their unique journey. They tell me there is greater financial investment in yourself as an artist now. In terms of doing what a label would do for you to develop you as an artist. You have to develop yourself, whether that is on a level of skill, production, branding or marketing. Then you have to acquire a real following. The good news is that creatively, technology means you can reach many people and create amazing work on a budget. Creation, sharing and growth here is very organic. I think streaming (and now touring) challenges mean artists will have to find creative avenues for financial success. The most important point for me is making good work, enjoying the process and continuing to grow!
