Having embraced her love of music before she hit double-digit age and recorded original songs before she hit her teens, Skyler Cocco really is one of those rare people who seem to have always known what they wanted to do. A talented multi-instrumentalist, she’s spent the last few years honing her craft, writing powerful and emotive songs that can – and do – connect with people around the world. With many of her plans on hold due to the Corona Virus, PopWrapped caught up with her to talk about her latest single “Run Away” and her long term goals.

How would you sum yourself up in a few words?

Skyler Cocco: A little bit of a mystery. Always dreaming and always chasing those dreams.

If you had to give yourself a tagline, or create a slogan/selling point for you and your music, what would it say?

A fiercely driven songwriter, producer and lioness.

What is it about music and the industry that made you want to be a part of it and had music always been the main objective for you or did you at one time or another consider other career routes?

Music has always been a constant in my life. Growing up I was always involved in some sort of performance art like dance and theatre so I always knew I’d end up pursuing something in that lane. The music industry is tough but as someone who lives and breathes songwriting and creating art it feels the most natural to be pursuing a career in music.

Which one band or artist might you say most inspires or influences you in terms of the music you make? How do their influences filter through in your own songs?

MUNA is definitely my biggest influence. They are an all queer band marching to their own beat and transforming pop music – and that’s what I aspire to do. For my upcoming EP I’ve drawn inspiration from their records, experimented with more synth-pop elements and wrote songs that could resonate more with people who have felt different. MUNA’s lyricist/lead singer Katie Gavin is such a gifted storyteller and her songwriting has inspired me to be more vulnerable and honest in writing about my experiences, especially when it comes to my sexuality. I recently came out as bisexual and have been writing songs that feel true to myself and for young listeners to have more artists who are like them to relate to.

What’s the story or meaning behind your latest track “Run Away?”

“Run Away” is about getting over the fear of falling in love with someone new after having your heart broken a few times. I had a history of being led on in relationships and didn’t want to let myself get hurt anymore, so for a while I wouldn’t let myself be vulnerable. I wanted to write about the moment I met someone who actually wanted to show me love and help stop me from allowing my inhibitions to get in the way.

Where did the idea/story for the video come from?

I jotted down the ideas for the video as I was writing the song. I could see the music video in my head and I pictured this dreamy/steamy/romantic scene where I’m kissing someone through a glass wall to represent the walls I had put up from past heartbreak.

What do you want fans to take from the song/video when they hear/see it?

I wanted to express how I became okay with being vulnerable again. Being let down and led astray can really stifle your ability to let people into your lives or allow yourself to fall in love. I want this to relate to anyone who has ever felt unwanted, you are worthy of love.

As a modern-day artist, how do you feel about the power and importance of social media in terms of how it’s used by artists (and pretty much everyone) to build themselves an audience/following? Do you think it would be or is at all possible for an artist today to achieve any level of success without having that interaction via sites such as Twitter? How do you find SM to be, personally and professionally?

Social media is a powerful tool but it’s complex and has a code that you need to crack to really utilize it. There are algorithms in place that make it hard to reach people beyond your circle without having to pay for promotion. I do think it would be difficult to gain a following today without having a social media presence. It’s the best way to connect with your audience and have a direct line to update them on music or anything going on in your life that you want to share. Professionally it’s been a great way to get introduced with a lot of my collaborators. I’m actually a mostly private person and would prefer not to have social media as it gets toxic at times for me, but I do enjoy having the ability to connect with my audience on a more personal level and present myself and my brand in my own words.

How has the ongoing Coronavirus crisis affected your plans both as an individual and as an artist? How have you been keeping yourself busy during the past few months and what are you most looking forward to doing as and when any sense of normal life returns?

2020 really had a different plan for all of us. I was supposed to move to LA and it’s been delayed indefinitely, but I am taking it in stride and have written so much music during quarantine. It did lead to some opportunities that I’m really excited about and was able to finish writing the songs for my EP. I’m trying to stay positive and remind myself that this detour didn’t set me back, it put me on another path towards the same goals.

Given that many artists’ plans for this year have already had to be scrapped, have you started looking to the more long-term future and thinking ahead to 2021, and beyond? What goals and objectives are you looking to achieve in the coming year or so, and looking much further ahead, what’s the one key thing you want to be able to tick off your personal/professional bucket list?

My releases definitely got pushed back but I think that the world still needs music to bring light and joy, so I am continuing to release my project but with some modifications. The music videos I had planned to film will have to be rethought but it’s a challenge I’m willing to take on. In 2021 I definitely want to tour, my newer songs are really fun to play live and I’m excited to bring that energy to the stage when it’s safe to do so. On my bucket list is touring the world. I want to connect with people from all over and see the world by sharing my art. I’m manifesting it.

Check out “Run Away” below and for more information on Skyler Cocco, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.