“Most of my lyrics are written while on night walks or while driving. That tends to be the time when I get in my head the most.”
INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY JAE F (@_THEGHOULNEXTDOOR)INTRODUCTION BY RTM (@RYANTHOMASMITCHELL)Five seconds into “Buried Right Beside Me,” it was abundantly clear that SKLTN CHR — or Skeleton Choir, the solo project of Dark Dark Black’s Justin Van Eck — was the perfect fit for Darkness Calling’s playlist. Haunted house synths, plodding drums, shimmering guitars, and gloomy vocals check every box on the post-punk checklist. Still, there’s something undeniably personal and weighty about “Buried Right Beside Me.” It’s a track that simply can’t be ignored.
Darkness Calling’s Jae F reached out to the Austin, TX artist to learn more about SKLTN CHR. Read on below.
DARKNESS CALLING: How did you get started in music?
SKLTN CHR: When I was around five years old, my grandparents got me a drum set. I would wear this vampire medallion Halloween costume necklace or my Batman mask, and I would beat the hell out of that kit. My parents hated it. Then, when I was in 7th grade, I broke my leg over summer, and I told the buddies I used to skate with at the time, “Let’s start a band. I’ll get drums,” because I knew I could still do that with a broken leg. I got a kit, played all summer with a broken leg, and never looked back.
DARKNESS CALLING: What was the inspiration behind starting SKLTN CHR?
SKLTN CHR: I’ve been in several bands throughout my career, but I never really felt like I got to play the music that I actually wanted to play. SKLTN CHR started as a side project a few years ago while I was in another band. It was a personal outlet, a guilty pleasure, and time for me to disconnect from the world.
“...I would beat the hell out of that kit. My parents hated it.”
DARKNESS CALLING: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
SKLTN CHR: I think, overall, eras and genres have influenced me more than specific bands. Deftones has always been a big influence that has stuck with me since I was younger, though. 80’s new wave and darkwave music has always had its nails in me pretty deep — Tears for Fears, New Order, The Cure, Duran Duran, The Cars, The Psychedelic Furs, Depeche Mode, The Human League, etc.
I listen to a lot of 1920’s prohibition-era jazz. Music from that time period is typically ridiculously upbeat but has a unique sort of darkness to it. Bix Beiderbecke and Joe Venuti are some of my favorites. Lofi hip hop and metal influences creep into the music at times, too.
DARKNESS CALLING: What does your songwriting process look like?
SKLTN CHR: Each song is different, but most of the time it starts off as a bassline or a drumbeat. Usually the music comes first, then the lyrics, except for the song “Eventually.” Those words were jotted down, and then the music was written on acoustic guitar. Most of my lyrics are written while on night walks or while driving. That tends to be the time when I get in my head the most.
DARKNESS CALLING: Your new single “Buried Right Beside Me” is an incredible track. It’s reminiscent of some of my favorite early goth and darkwave acts. What was the inspiration behind this song?
SKLTN CHR: The lyrics to “Buried Right Beside Me” were going to be a sort of tribute to my wife, but a mix of emotions and memories from previous relationships and experiences started to intertwine into the theme. What was meant to be something somewhat heartfelt became an anthem for the burial of relationships past. I guess in the end it’s still a weird love song?
DARKNESS CALLING: You have a new single coming out on June 11. Could you talk a little about the track?
SKLTN CHR: “Underground” is an anthem about depression in the midst of dealing with a toxic back-and-forth relationship. It’s that moment in time when you feel completely beat down and stuck, and the person you’re with isn’t helping.
DARKNESS CALLING: What’s next for SKLTN CHR?
SKLTN CHR: Maybe a full album? Maybe a tour? Stay tuned and thanks for listening.
