As she wraps filming on the new Disney Zombies movie, artist and actress Freya Skye tells us about a busy year spent releasing her debut EP, boosting her fanbase, and playing shows in far-flung corners of the world…
INTERVIEW: CHARLOTTE KROL
PHOTO: ASHLEY OSBORN
You’ve now collectively amassed more than a billion streams of your music, released the Stardust EP, and returned from touring Australia and New Zealand. How are you feeling?
“Honestly, there’s no way for me to ever be able to wrap my head around it. A pressure definitely comes with that attention, but the fact that people listen and care is unbelievable. And it was my first time going to Australia and New Zealand. I was nervous and had no gauge of the reception, but all of my worries were put to bed by the community there – just seeing how fans knew the words to the songs. They were just as passionate as those in the UK and US.”
Comparisons have been drawn between your songs and those of Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo. Who or what inspires you?
“Those comparisons are obviously the biggest compliment! But I’d say the ’90s is probably my favourite era of music. The sound was so crisp: you can hear every instrument. I have a huge ’90s playlist with The Cranberries, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Michael Jackson. My debut album is definitely what’s next and I think a ’90s influence could peek through. But things gets shaken up when you’re in the room; you never know the direction it’s going to take.”
You’ve also been praised for being so emotionally open in your music – does that come naturally to you?
“I’m lucky that I’ve grown up with a family that’s always been really open. But there are things that I don’t tell them – or my friends – that I weirdly feel comfortable sharing in a writing room. All the songs I’ve written that I’m most proud of are brutally honest ones. They don’t always paint you in the best light, but that’s important because I’m far from perfect. People connect to songs when you’re vulnerable. I hope to carry honesty through my stories about my heartbreaks and struggles as a socially awkward teenage girl.”
You signed to Hollywood Records off the back of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022. Tell us about the team there...
“There are so many people behind the scenes working on every single aspect, including my manager, Nick Bobetsky [State Of The Art management]. Sometimes, I treat him like my second dad! I’m grateful to have a support system. And when I met with Hollywood Records when I was 13, I was eager-eyed and had never gone into a writing room before, never released a song. They believed in me, especially Ken Bunt [president, Disney Music Group].”
Did you have reservations about signing to a big label?
“I really feel I have their support, but it’s almost like I’m independent – what with having all the control, creatively. I have their help to magnify the things I can’t do alone, so I feel lucky that any reservations were quickly put to rest through working with the team and having good personal connections.”
Finally, what is next for you?
“I’m in LA for the summer to write most of my album. [After that] I’ve got my Stars Align tour starting in the US in September and then the Brixton shows in November! It’s so cool to play in my hometown and Brixton is so iconic. It’s going to be really special.”
KEY RELEASE: Stardust EP (out now)
LABEL: Hollywood Records/Polydor
MANAGEMENT: State Of The Art
INSTAGRAM: @freyaskye
