Q&A: Skylar Simone Fuels a New Chapter With "Gasoline"
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY SARAH RUIZ ☆
Photo by Anthony Sandoval
SKYLAR SIMONE IS IN HER GASOLINE" ERA—The '80s-inspired alt-R&B track showcases her honeyed vocals alongside her fierce movements. She reflects in our interview that creating "Gasoline" came naturally to her, and drawing from her musical influences such as Prince, Chaka Khan, Sheila E. and Beyoncé. Simone is not only a vocalist but also an instrumentalist.
The music video for “Gasoline” tells a playful story of breaking into an ex's home, using a series of vignettes, cinematic shots and outfit changes to bring the song's story to life. Retro-inspired themes add to the video's nostalgic feel alongside Simone's performance.
Simone released a debut album at 13 years old and has pursued her dreams ever since. "Gasoline" demonstrates Simone’s evolution and a preview of what she has in store for listeners as she continues to grow as an artist.
Luna had the chance to speak with Skylar Simone about her latest song, musical influences, and what's next for her.
Photo by Anthony Sandoval
LUNA: "Gasoline" leans into '80s-inspired alt-R&B production. What drew you to that era?
SKYLAR SIMONE: I think it was easy. It all came together pretty naturally. I won't say quickly, because I did take about a year and a half to create it and give it that space. But those are my influences. Prince is just one of my all-time favorites. Naturally, what you're listening to all the time, and what inspired me in general—going all the way back to when I started making music—were some of these same influences. I think I circled back to them while making this project.
It's funny, because I didn't reference anyone in particular. I think it just came out through those influences. When I was making music, I was a bit of a sponge, and there was definitely an emphasis on "Gasoline" and my future songs, too. When I was creating this project, it was almost like I was trying to create music that I would have felt inspired by when I first started: what really moves me, and what gave me that fire to make my own songs, write and create.
A lot of it was Prince, of course, and then Chaka Khan, Beyoncé and Sheila E. I play drums too. So I just thought, you know what, I would love to do some of these people justice; continue the tradition of musicianship through the generations and do my best to make my idols proud, I guess. Obviously, that's a really tough thing to do when you're talking about Prince. In the studio sessions, when I'd play references or songs I was listening to, they'd say, "Wow, you've set us up for a difficult task.
LUNA: You play the drums, guitar and more. When did you first realize music was the path you wanted to pursue?
SKYLAR SIMONE: I started playing drums a little before the pandemic hit. During the pandemic, I got a little electric kit that I could play at home, and the drummer I like to tour with offered to give me some lessons and help me develop my skills a bit better. We would get together and play socially distanced, and I think that's where it really developed, for the most part.
When it comes to other instruments, I grew up playing piano. I started when I was five. I don't come from a musical family, but my parents were like, "Oh, we've heard it helps with math and comprehension skills." I'm terrible at math, but I ended up loving the piano, so it worked out. I've been playing piano forever. It was my main instrument up until recently, when I think the drums might have beaten out the piano a little bit.
It was very helpful with writing my music at the beginning. It was just me and my piano, since it was so accessible. Melodically, I think the piano has also really helped me learn the drums a lot faster, because I have an understanding of melody and all of that.
I dabble a little bit with guitar too, but I don't want to sacrifice my fingernails. I'll stick with the drums and the piano for now, and my next instrument will definitely be the guitar, to tackle eventually.
LUNA: I saw your Instagram video of you playing drums along to Leon Thomas, it's so good. What has it been like showcasing your other talents besides singing on social media? It's also admirable to see women playing the drums and instruments.
SKYLAR SIMONE: Thank you. I agree completely. I'm such an advocate for female musicians, especially with instruments. There's a masculine stigma attached to them, and I think it's fun to reclaim it a little and say, "Girls can actually play better than some of you fellows."
When it comes to Leon, I'm just a huge fan. I think he's so incredible. He's an amazing writer, producer and musician. He's been stepping more into his artist side of things, and I honestly think whatever he touches is incredible. To me, that was such a no-brainer song to do, not only because I love the song, but because I'm such a fan of what he's doing. I think he's also part of that kind of musician, you know, the musicianship-first kind of artistry. He truly can play every single instrument.
LUNA: Walk me through the experience of creating "Gasoline," both in the studio and on set for the music video. What stands out most from that process?
SKYLAR SIMONE: It was so much fun. I actually pictured the visuals and what the art was going to look like and everything. My brain was so visually focused with that song, and it was already laid out in my mind exactly how I wanted to bring it to the world. I wanted it to feel a little cinematic, which I haven't really done in my videos in the past: a series of vignettes with all these different shots, so it feels a little artsy but still very playful.
When my creative director and I were going over the shot list and talking through ideas, I knew I wanted it to feel very youthful, fun, and playful while still incorporating some of that retro nostalgia in the lighting and some of the outfit choices. I love a fun music video that's like a playful fantasy, no pun intended.
LUNA: I enjoyed the different outfit changes in the music video and your dance movements.
SKYLAR SIMONE: I love it. It was fun too because I knew I wanted to be kind of weird and quirky in it. A lot of the movements, especially, came from the concept, which is essentially me breaking into the house of my ex, or situationship and his new girlfriend. When I was working with my movement director and choreographer, we were like, "It's almost like you're possessed with those crazy ex-girlfriend vibes." I feel like that came out in the movements, which was really fun to play with, too.
LUNA: You released your debut album at just 13 and have been evolving your sound ever since. What's been the biggest lesson your career has taught you so far?
SKYLAR SIMONE: That's a great question. I've learned a lot, but I would say the biggest lesson is to think less and do more, and to trust your instinct. It's not even a lesson so much as a motto that I think I live by now.
When I was younger, I was a sponge. That was great for learning, because I always wanted to try new things, have fun, and experiment. I'm still doing that now, but I also have an identity, and I know myself. I don't think anyone expects a 13-year-old to have all the answers, like knowing what you want to sing about and what you stand for. I've done a lot of growing, both in my career and in life, and that's led me to where I am now, where I really do feel like I know what I want to say. I know the type of artist I want to be. I know the songs I want to keep making, and how I want to keep pushing and growing the sound.
My lesson has been to go with the flow, embrace the growth, stop overthinking and overanalyzing, and just go for it. Give every single thing you do your all. As long as you resonate with it and it feels authentic in the moment, that's all you can do.
Stop putting yourself in a box. I won't speak for everyone, but I think it's easy to want to categorize ourselves and figure it all out, because it feels easier to say, "This is who I am." But we're so complex, and I think that does us a disservice by cutting us off from that growth.
LUNA: "Gasoline" feels like the start of a new chapter for you. What's next, and what can fans expect from what's coming?
SKYLAR SIMONE: I have an EP coming out in the new year, in early 2027, which I'm really excited about. Twenty-seven is my lucky number, so it feels like a good year to be releasing it. I'm also excited about so many more fun visuals. I really want to go on tour, too, so that's definitely a big goal for 2027, whether it's my own tour or touring with somebody. I think it'll be really fun to get on the road and bring these songs to life live.
