Meet Growing Stone

Skylar Sarkis is a powerhouse of musical prowess. Under their solo project, Growing Stone Skylar produces tracks ranging from intimate to full-scale ensembles. No matter the scale the artist holds on to their sense of structure, charm, and delightful lyric style. In our latest interview, we chat with Skylar about their 2020 release “I Had Everybody Snowed”.

Two truths and a lie

(Answers at bottom of the article)

I hate grape flavored things

I am $10,000 in debt

I have seen Phish

Would you rather

be able to jump a hundred feet in the air, or make things move with your mind? What would you do?

Whatever would make it easier to rob banks. Probably moving things with my mind.

Some questions with Growing Stone

What was the last thing you bought that you regret? Why?

I bought some masks that don't fit me today. Can't return masks.

What is your favorite park in NYC? Why?

Tough one. Probably McGolrick because it's occasionally quiet.

How do you approach the lyric writing process?

Start writing and don't stop until I'm done. No cliches unless I'm lampooning them.

Growing stone is a solo project in contrast to your other project Taking Meds. Does collaboration still make it into the Growing Stone creative process?

Yes, just in a different way. There is a lot of collaboration on the arrangement and production end of things. Taking Meds has that too but Taking Meds also has collaboration in the actual songwriting.

What musical gear did you find yourself returning to often while producing your 2020 release “I Had Everybody Snowed”?

Nylon string guitars, my Ibanez dreadnought from middle school, hiring people to play trumpet and viola, a bunch of mics that Jon would have to tell you about.

What do you want listeners to take away from your 2020 release “I Had Everybody Snowed”?

All I do is talk about myself on it. I guess that can go one of two ways; it annoys you or you relate to it. Those lyrics were almost all confessional so I don't have anything, in particular, I'm trying to impart.

What is it like being a musician in NYC today?

Well, for me, it's a privilege. But sometimes I think it is the number one place to live as a musician if you want to experience a lot of imposter syndrome. There are so many different musical communities happening here and so much transience. It can make you feel like whatever you're participating in is just a simulacrum of the "real thing." Maybe that's just because I come from a smaller place where everyone more or less knows each other. But, insecurity bullshit aside, practice spaces are insanely expensive here. It's not worth it. To me, music has always been about touring. I haven't figured out any other way to make it feel right. You don't need to live in New York City to go on tour. If you're not from here, it's probably a poor choice for a home base. But it also kind of rules so I haven't left yet.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Not really, honestly.

Two truths and a lie answer key

Truth: I hate grape flavored things

Lie: I am $10,000 in debt

Truth: I have seen Phish