Emerging alt-rock artist Aminta Skye returns with her breakthrough sophomore single release, “Canyon”, which was released on March 10, 2023. Aminta’s alluring and multifaceted songwriting style pulls from classic songs written by pop-rock and singer-songwriter icons Jeff Buckley, Paramore, and The 1975. Canyon was written and performed by Aminta Skye, produced by Yu Kiatvongcharoen, and follows the 2021 release of her debut single, “Ring Around the Sun”. Through “Canyon”, Skye tells the story of betrayal and explores the bittersweet duality of vengeance and longing that accompanies it. Driven by desperation and jealousy, the song explores the pain and frustration of being left behind, and the difficulty of seeing someone you loved move on before you have the chance to heal.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hey Aminta Skye, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Every time I’m asked this I’m not sure what to say! Honestly, I always knew that I wanted to be a singer since I was a kid. I never dreamed of doing anything else. I think the dream was solidified by watching shows like Hannah Montana and Victorious growing up, it just confirmed the life I felt like I wanted. Songwriting is what came later, around 8th grade or so, and that’s now a huge part of what I do and want to do professionally.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
This might be a random answer, but my favorite part of being a musician is hearing a song of mine back to me fully produced. Especially when it’s released! There is something so satisfying about experiencing what once was a thought in your head out in the world as a tangible thing. My least favorite part is the business side, it feels intimidating. Also, every skill in music takes so much time, like I wish I could snap my fingers and know how to produce! But it’s something I need to work on and build slowly.
Your latest song is 'Canyon'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
Haha! “Canyon” is definitely a personal one…to be honest it’s about my first real boyfriend and heartbreak. Without getting too gory, the circumstances of our breakup were very unusual and it took place amidst a panic attack I was already experiencing due to a lot of triggering events in that moment, as well as an assault trial I was about to go through in the coming weeks. All in all, it was a very vulnerable moment for me and it was like as soon as I decided to fully trust him, this person broke up with me in such a cruel way. It triggered a lot of feelings of childhood abandonment, feeling like no one would ever protect me. “Canyon” was the first song I was able to write after our breakup, months later, and it was super cathartic because I got to release some of those dark ugly feelings when you’re heartbroken, for example the possessiveness of still feeling like the person is yours. Like you would eat their heart out so they can’t give it to anyone else, haha! I’m kidding of course, but it’s a metaphor I liked to play with in this song.
How do you differ from most other artists?
I think that you don’t see a lot of women of color, especially queer Black women in this genre. Which is so ironic, because rock and alternative music was influenced so foundationally by Black people and culture. But I feel a responsibility in a way, to be authentic to myself and the music I love to create even more, so that I can represent that Black girls can do all sorts of things and we aren’t all R&B singers; no shade to that at all, it’s so cool! But yeah, I feel like I am able to bring a unique perspective to this genre and facilitate greater diversity, the way let’s say Arlo Parks has done.
Where are you from and do you have a stable home or do you prefer traveling?
Originally I’m from Sénegal, West Africa, but I moved to Oregon as a kid and I lived in Eugene and Portland a little. I went to an arts highschool in socal and now I live in Los Angeles. I have had to travel in the last few years because of school, but I much prefer to put roots down. I really like L.A. so I see myself staying here for a while.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I’m tempted to say, “Indie-Rock” or “Alt Rock,” because that’s what you do when you’re an independent artist, but to be honest I feel like it’s more just “Rock.” I dip my toe in Post-Punk, Folk, Classic Rock, and Pop too. I think musicians are scared to say they make Rock music these days because it feels as if you’re comparing yourselves to the “Greats” like Led Zeppelin or something, and it can feel like our generation doesn’t have anything to add to that. I actually think the beauty of rock is that it is always growing and evolving, so I don’t try to box myself too much beyond just saying I make Rock music; and that’s such a big open space to work within.
How do you nurture your own creativity?
Tough question! I’m definitely still finding my personal balance between creating and resting, working and re-charging. I think I underestimate how much energy it takes to make original things, whether it’s music or architecture or sculpture. Anything that is creative is draining in a mental way, and you have to rest as well as just live life so you can have input and things to inspire you. I realized that it can’t all be output. I like to nurture my creativity by reading or watching films, going out to shows, and really just being with my friends who inspire me so much!
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
100% Paramore. They have been my favorite band of all time ever since I first heard “Brick by Boring Brick” in 4th grade. Other than that, it would be so fun to open for someone like Dora Jar or Chappell Roan. Also I can’t leave out the 1975!
Who's your ideal musician to collaborate with and why?
Other than the obvious answer which is Hayley Williams, I would love to collaborate with Phoebe Bridgers because I feel like her songwriting style speaks to the more pensive side of my own writing. Her music is so beautiful yet subtle, her lyrics so simple yet so poignant and genius. It would be a complete honor to make something with her and even to just watch her process.
What are your plans for the future?
I am going to keep recording and releasing music here in L.A., and playing shows. My main focus now is just building my base of listeners and collaborators, and making the best music possible that is authentic to me.