1. Growing Up
I grew up in a musical home. My father is a composer and my mother is a painter so there was a constant musical and creative presence. I spent my childhood on a property in the Otway Ranges in Victoria. I remember my dad always at the piano downstairs hammering away; Mum and my aunt blaring Dolly Parton and Cher records as they danced around the living room. As I grew older my father became instrumental in my musical development.
2. Inspirations
I have many favorite musicians, but a few stand out as life changing influences. I was probably no older than 12 when Dad gave me Jimi Hendrix’s Are You Experienced. I remember sitting in the back seat of the family car and listening to it on my Walkman and being totally blown away. Another record that I obsessed over was Radiohead’s The Bends. I spent so many nights learning all the guitar parts and then quickly running back to my homework when I heard one of my parents coming up the stairs.
3. Your Band
I have worked as a songwriter/composer, producer and engineer on many different projects over the years and Way Of The Eagle is my way of combining all my musical interests. I love collaborating with different musicians and singers and writing songs in the studio. I love working with old friends like The Cat Empire, Illy and Owl Eyes, and I also really like the challenge of meeting a new artist and not knowing each other at the start of the day and then having a track by the end of the evening.
4. The Music You Make
Way Of The Eagle’s musical style is as diverse as the artists I have collaborated with but there is a musical thread that ties it all together. I wanted the album to be rooted in strong and catchy songwriting but also to make people want to get up and dance. I released the Rattlesnake EP early this year and am now completing my debut album, both through Sony Records. I have been rehearsing a really hot band and am excited to do some shows. I am also really touched that some of the great singers I have worked with are coming along to perform.
5. Music, Right Here, Right Now
Having travelled a lot with my music, I think Australia is very unique. While being detached from the global music scene, I have noticed that this has led to a more carefree sense of creativity. Lately bands like Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes and Tame Impala are showing a freedom in their music which is difficult to find elsewhere.
Rattlesnake out now through Sony.Jan Skubiszewski plays Upstairs Beresford on Friday September 20 and appearing at BIGSOUND, Brisbane on Tuesday September 12.
