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Skylar Stecker is a pop star on the rise, and at just 14 years old, has already had a totally successful career. In the last year, she’s headlined GL’s annual Fashion Bash, released her first studio album, This is Me, and is now traveling across the country on the SPF 80s USA Tour with Marianas Trench. While her electro-pop tunes may seem super different from her tourmates’ punkier sound, she was more than excited to join the band on tour. Skylar shared that they told the head of her label, “We need an opener. What about Skylar?” Her reply when offered the slot? “Yes! I’m down.”

Before the Baltimore show, Skylar stopped by GLHQ to chat about her new single, "Let It Show" (which is *so* catchy, btw!), life on the road and her dream collab: “Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Skylar Stecker—I would just die.” She also spills advice for aspiring singers and what it’s like to be the youngest artist signed to her label.

GL: “Let It Show” is a *really* cool song. What’s the story behind it?

Skylar: It’s basically about how you like this person but every time they come around or you see them, you never let it show. I feel like a lot of girls or guys can really relate to this feeling: like the person you have feelings for, you don’t really let them know ever. You want to, but you can’t. The song is a little bit flirty and a little bit coy.

GL: What’s your songwriting process like?

Skylar: It really depends on the situation. I’ve been playing piano since I was five or six, so sometimes I start on piano and kind of figure out what sounds cool. Then, I’ll add a melody and lyrics to it and then a song. Other times, a producer will send in a track or a beat and I’ll get to choose which ones I like and then write to that. Other times, we’re in the studio together and we kind of start from scratch.

GL: Who are you dying to get into the studio with?

Skylar: I would love to work with Max Martin (ed note: he's the master mind behind a ton of Taylor Swift tracks!). There’s been some talk about it. So hopefully in the near future that will happen. I mean, he’s amazing and he’s so talented, so that would be awesome.

GL: How does it feel to be the youngest artist to sign to your label?

Skylar: It’s really cool, especially because I’m doing what I love and I have such a passion for it. Martin Kierszenbaum, who’s the head of my label, Cherrytree Records, really respected my artistry. For him to right off the bat be like, “First of all, I don’t want to change anything you’re doing. I just want to help you get to where you want to be,” was just such an amazing feeling.

GL: What’s it like touring with Marianas Trench?

Skylar: They’re amazing. I couldn’t have picked a better first tour. I would have never thought that I would go on tour with them because they are a totally different genre of music and everything, but it’s so fun every night. People in the audience stare at me like, “How does she know the whole set list already?”

GL: What’s your favorite song to play live?

Skylar: My song “Break My Heart,” probably. The studio version and the live version are just 100 percent completely different. The studio version has an angry approach to it, where the live approach is more sad. And “Let It Show” is the new song so that one’s really fun to perform just because it’s fresh and new.

GL: You seem like you're always on the go—what do you do to just chill?

Skylar: I don’t really like chilling. It’s funny because when I do have days off during this tour, I’m like, “I wanna perform tonight!” But I really like to read and I like to cook, too. But most of the time if I’m chilling, I’m still practicing my piano or playing my guitar or writing a song. I never really stop.

GL: What are your tour must-haves?

Skylar: My phone, because I do all the social media stuff while on tour. I have a lot of spare time in the car driving from place to place. And then probably my iPad because I watch a lot of shows. I love Pretty Little Liars and The Vampire Diaries and I really like Law and Order.

GL: Do you have any deets you can share about a new album? We're so eager to hear new music!

Skylar: No album right now, but we do have a lot of new music. We’ve recorded over 25 songs so far. We’re going to take it single by single, I think, starting with “Let It Show.” So just stay tuned for some more singles and stuff coming up!

GL: What advice do you have for our readers who are aspiring singers or songwriters? 

Skylar: Just work hard at whatever you’re doing. There’s going to be people that don’t agree with you and might want to change who you are and take you in a different direction. As long as you feel 100 percent confident with what you’re doing and you like what you’re doing, you have to follow your gut.

It's showtime!

After our interview, we headed over to the venue to see Skylar’s serious skills in action. She put on a stellar showcase of her songs in between her other tourmates, The Hollow Party and Marianas Trench. Skylar rocked a hot pink crop top with high waisted jeans and killer heels that matched her fun music. With only a keyboard and acoustic guitar as accompaniment, the minimal instrumentals really let her vocals shine. During the five-song set list which included “Crazy Beautiful,” “Bring Me to Life,” “Cake by the Ocean,” “Break My Heart,” and “Let It Show,” Skylar completely owned the stage and we couldn’t help but sing along to her catchy tunes!

Skylar opened with “Crazy Beautiful,” an older release which she dedicated to all the ladies in the room. Her soaring voice got the crowd crooning along to her empowering tune and we couldn’t help but feel a boost of confidence when she sang, “All my ladies, all my girls/ Dominating round the world/ You’re the diamond, you’re the pearl/ And you better know it.”

After a few tunes, Skylar paused to serenade her little brother, Dorsett, with “Happy Birthday.” She asked the crowd to join in and we felt that for a moment, the whole room was a part of her fam. She then proceeded to rock out with an acoustic cover of DNCE’s “Cake by the Ocean.” We have to admit that Skylar’s powerful rendition totally knocked the original out!

Skylar closed her set with her latest single, “Let It Show.” We were super sad to see her leave the stage, but it was so cool to witness her so immersed in her music and living out her dream on stage. We absolutely love her synth and beat heavy studio releases, but there was something truly special about witnessing her vocals in a live, acoustic setting. Her soulful and edgy voice combined with her memorable music prove that this girl has raw talent. We can’t wait to see what Skylar does next!

Will you be seeing Skylar on tour this summer? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo credit: Emily Mullin.

by Morgan Ome | 8/2/2016