Hailing from Fort Collins, Colorado, Skydyed is a progressive livetronica trio that is surely on the rise to success. Formed almost two years ago, Andrew Slattery (bass synths/bass guitar), Max Doucette (guitar/keys) and Shane Eagen (drums), have established a diverse, encapturing sound of their own by fusing their individual musical talents with top of the line electronic production. With rock, funk and jazz influences, these fellas are not to be reckoned with. We had a chance to sit down with them last weekend at Euphoria Music Festival in Austin, Texas.
CYM: Welcome to Texas, guys! Have y’all been here before?
Shane: Nope! This is our first time.
CYM: Welcome, welcome. It’s your two year bandiversary, right?
Max: Almost, on the 24th.
CYM: Didn’t you guys just throw a big two year birthday party at The Aggie, in Fort Collins, Colorado?
Shane: It was an album release party. It went really well.
CYM: That’s awesome. You guys have come along way to release this album. Did I hear you have already played Red Rocks before?
Andrew: A few years ago, with Flying Lotus and NAS headlining.
Max: It was for Feed The Rocks.
CYM: Think we’ll be able to catch you guys there again?
Skydyed: Ehhh, eh…Maybe, hopefully. (We are personally leaning on the ‘YES’ side)
CYM: Well, we hope! Tell me about the new album “A Quantum Dream.” I have been jamming it the last few days and love it. What was y’all’s favorite part about the recording process?
Shane: I think being able to travel to record was an awesome experience. We went out to Nashville to record the drums. Just strengthening our own personal skills and mixing and creating dynamics between timbres was really enjoyable all around.
Max: I really liked the experience. I thought it summarized our collective vision. It was our first release that really caught that and expressed it I think.
Andrew: This was our first full length album where we had the chance to explore a lot of different ideas rather than stick to one theme, you know, instead of trying to squeeze in a bunch of ideas. We really got the chance to explore multiple sides of our tastes and I think people can see that in the album. It was a great experience.
CYM: So, there’s always road bumps along the way. Tell me how you guys travel around? Do y’all car it up? Have a van?
Shane: We got that good ol, white Dodge, soccer mom van.
CYM: Hell yeah! Who gets to drive?
Andrew: All of us usually drive. We take shifts depending on whoever is the least tired. We actually just played a show at a brewing company in Taos, New Mexico, and drove straight here afterwards…it was a long trek.
CYM: That sounds awesome. That indeed is a long drive. How was Taos?
Andrew: It was cool. It’s a very beautiful area. The brewing company, Taos Mesa Brewing, is a really cool spot. There’s this big outdoor cement dome stage that looks like something straight out of Star Wars and it was in the desert too – pretty surreal. The people were super friendly and we had a great time!
CYM: You guys have tons of shows coming up in 2016. Tell me, what are you most excited for so far?
Shane: Well that’s hard to answer, because the most exciting thing just happened playing the main stage here. I guess the next most exciting thing coming up is playing Sonic Bloom.
Andrew: We also have Beanstalk, Arise, Backwoods…
Max: Lots more festivals this summer to look forward to. Plus a bunch of other dates we haven’t announced yet.
CYM: One more question. If you could pick someone right now to collab with, who would it be?
Shane: Phil Collins
CYM: Ha! YEAH!
Shane: (laughing) Just joking! But, it could happen.
Max: Logistically, I would love to go sit in with Griz in a few hours if I could.That would be dope.
Andy: Honestly, Snarky Puppy for me. Just sitting in with a band that would make me feel horrible about my musical skills (laughs).
Andrew: Lettuce!
Shane: Adam Deitch!
Andrew: Besides that though, Euphoria has been so hospitable and everything has been so organized. Such a small festival with big names! We have had a great time.
CYM: Rad, all amazing answers! Well, thanks for sitting down with us fellas and enjoy the rest of your Euphoria. Let’s get down!
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