Skyler

Artist Information

Biography

Third grade. Recess. As most kids wait anxiously for their turn on the slide, Skyler is performing on the playground. 6th grade. Skyler masters guitar, drums, bass, and piano. 7th grade. He owns his own bedroom recording studio. 9th grade. Skyler releases his first full-length, all original CD. Before the end of high school, Skyler releases four more original CDs, performs over 300 gigs and 20 professional and repertory theatre productions, and attends Berklee College of Music. Today. Age 20. Raving reviews are in. Big-league music industry executives are on board. Fans are lining up. Skyler owns the playground.

With the release of his two latest EPs, Long Gone and Take You Away, -- mixed by David Hall (Blackbird Studios) and mastered by Adam Ayan (Gateway Mastering) -- Skyler has grabbed the attention of industry insiders in radio, TV, management, booking, promotions, and development, creating an executive team passionate about his music. Throughout New England, Skyler has been featured on major TV networks, such as, NBC, FOX, CBS, NECN, and WCAX.

In recent months, Vice Presidents and Directors of Programming and Label Relations at Cumulus Media have become avid fans of Skyler. One solo, guitar and vocal performance at their Atlanta corporate headquarters was all it took for them to join team Skyler in guiding the career of what they termed a "truly special talent." Other radio stations that have gotten hooked to Skyler's "emotionally addictive songs" include 92.5 The River in Boston, MA, 97.5 WOKQ in New Hampshire, 99.9 The Wolf in Maine, The Point and WGDR in Vermont, and WMFO and WCHC in Massachusetts. He is also streaming online on Spotify, Artists on Demand, Nashville.com, etc.

Jim Zumwalt and Ray Gonzalez have been tapped for legal representation. Meanwhile, Anna Kong, whose work includes Atlantic Records and the Click Five, has been working tirelessly as publicist and street team leader.

As with any good artist, it begins and ends with the song. Skyler's known that since he began writing at the tender age of nine. Recent pairings with other songwriters have only increased his prolific output. Cumulus Media Corporate Program Director, Greg Frey, has said that Skyler's songs are "nothing but top notch." Reviewers agree. "If there is any justice in the world of music, Skyler will be the breakout artist of 2010/2011." Even Absolute Punk agrees, "I think I just fell in love...This is Taylor Swift in guy form."


"If there is any justice in the world of music, Skyler will be the breakout artist of 2010/2011."
**Named "Long Gone" as one of the Top 10 albums of 2010**
**Named "Take You Away" as one of the Top 20 albums of 2011**
-Wildy's World

"This is Taylor Swift in guy form."
-Absolute Punk

Instrumentation

Skyler - Vocals, Guitar
John Mullett - Vocals, Guitar, keyboards, Fiddle
Adam Scharff - Vocals, Lead Guitar
Michael Scharff - Vocals, Bass

Discography

Nashville Mixes EP-November 2011
Take You Away EP-April 2011
Long Gone EP-June 2010

Featured on:

Television:
Channel 1 News
207-WCSH 6-Portland, ME (NBC)
Good Day Maine-WPFO FOX23-Portland, ME (FOX)
NECN-New England Cable News
The Nite Show-WABI 5-Bangor, ME (CBS)
WCAX-Vermont News

Radio:
The River-WXRV-Boston, MA
WOKQ-97.5-Dover, NH
WTHT-99.9 The Wolf-Portland, ME
The Point-WNCS FM-Central Vermont
WCIB-101.9-Cape Cod, MA
WMFO-91.5 FM-Tufts University
WGDR-91.1 FM-Goddard College
WCHC-88.1 FM-College of the Holy Cross
WSCA-LP-106.1 FM-Portsmouth, NH

Streaming on:
Spotify
Artists on Demand
Earbits.com
Nashville.com
Local Bazooka
UnHeard Radio
USA4Real.com
JJ and DJ Radio Show-Jelly Bean Radio
ruKus radio

General Inquiries: skylertunes@gmail.com
Publicity: Anna Kong- anna@skylertunes.com
Legal: Jim Zumwalt- jzumwalt@shacklaw.net
Ray Gonzalez- rgonzalez@shacklaw.net

Links

• MySpace
• Facebook
• Twitter
• ReverbNation

Audio

• Stephanie
  Listen  
• This Dream (Nashville)
  Listen  
• Empty Rooms
  Listen  
• Take You Away
  Listen  
• It Kills Me
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Stephanie
• This Dream (Nashville)
• Empty Rooms
• Take You Away
• It Kills Me

Video

This Dream (Nashville) - Music Video

Stephanie Studio Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Skyler-Long Gone Review [+ Show ]
  

  Skyler - Long Gone 2010, SkyHi Records Rating: 5/5 In a day and age where celebrity seems to be...Skyler - Long Gone
  2010, SkyHi Records
  Rating: 5/5
  
  In a day and age where celebrity seems to be the most desirable goal for many, the world abounds with self-proclaimed prodigies. Nevertheless you'll occasionally come across a young artist who doesn't need the label. York, Maine's Skyler is a prime example; as early as third grade kids were clamoring in the playground to hear Skyler play. By 6th grade he'd mastered multiple instruments and a year later the recording studio in his bedroom reduced Skyler to sleeping on the couch. Four albums, twenty professional and repertory theatre productions and several hundred gigs later, Skyler has a year at Berklee College of Music under his belt and a loyal following that's admirable. With the release of his fifth album/EP, Long Gone, Skyler brings together the distinctive pop sensibility that's been drawing crowds since grammar school with a highly refined but non-constricting polish that's rare.
  
  Long Gone opens with "Hold My Hand", an incredibly catchy pop/rock number in the style of Elvis Costello. "Hold My Hand" has the sort of melody that lives in your brain for years and continues to surface long after you've forgotten where it came from. This tune has hit written all over it. "This Dream (Nashville)" is irresistibly danceable rock n roll about coming home to his baby after time on the road. Most any musician whose spent time on the road with a love at home has written some form of this song, but few have done it as well as Skyler has here. "Stephanie" is a song of infatuation that's cute and catchy with serious vocal harmonies. The acoustic country arrangement is a pleasant listen, but electrify it and polish it up and it's as close to a sure-fire hit as you can get. "Any Stupid Thing" is a catchy love song, brilliant as in Beatles brilliant. By the way, it's probably the weakest overall song on the EP. Long Gone closes with "It's Just The Night", a true rock n roll 'wow' moment. You'll have a hard time remembering the last time an album or EP was this much pure joy to listen to.
  
  Skyler practices the KISS principle as a songwriter, keeping the constructions simple with amazing melodies, strong harmonies, dynamic vocals and an ingenious pop sensibility. In a perfect world Skyler would already own the pop charts. In the real world, if there is one artist you need to turn your attention to in 2010, it's Skyler. Long Gone is pure pop/rock that's not snarky, contrived or cynical in any way. Skyler appears to be making music for the simple joy of it, and that energy is abundantly contagious on Long Gone. If there is any justice in the world of music, Skyler will be the breakout artist of 2010/2011. Long Gone is a Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc. Don't miss it.

• Skyler-Long Gone-Album Review [+ Show ]
  

  I think I just fell in love. Maybe it’s like the chick flick genre of the music scene, but whatev...I think I just fell in love.
  
  Maybe it’s like the chick flick genre of the music scene, but whatever it is, Skyler know what they’re doing. This five-track gem is fun, it’s poppy, it’s upbeat, and it says all the right things for a girl’s smitten heart.
  
  “I love the way you look when you’re holding my hand,” the opening track, oh so aptly titled “Hold My Hand” has worked its way into my head. Um, I’m never even met this kid, but I’m pretty sure I would adore holding his hand right about now. This is fairytale storytelling through music and a focus on the little things in life.
  
  Flip over to “Stephanie” for desires of roadtripping to Mexico and swimming the Rio Grande. The track is a little bit slower and a little more country (Is that a fiddle I hear in the background?), but provides a perfect complement to the faster-paced openers.
  
  Starting up in third grade most certainly provides this five-piece band with more than enough practice. What were you doing in third grade? Playing hopscotch? Maybe trading Pokemon cards or walking the dog with your yo-yo? Simply put, these guys have the experience and they know what they’re doing.
  
  Let’s say this is Taylor Swift in guy form. Hell yes, this is so sweet that I feel I may need to shelter Long Gone from the inevitable Disney-oriented audiences that are going to swarm this EP. Skyler’s got guilty pleasure written all over them in all the best of ways.
  
  Vocals 9.25
  Musicianship 8.75
  Lyrics 9
  Production 9.25
  Creativity 8.5
  Lasting Value 8.75
  Reviewer Tilt 9.5
  Final Verdict: 90%

• Long Gone EP Review [+ Show ]
  

  ARTIST: Skyler ALBUM: Skyler (EP) RATING: 4/5 Let me preface this with a statement; this is nei...ARTIST: Skyler
  ALBUM: Skyler (EP)
  RATING: 4/5
  
  Let me preface this with a statement; this is neither my choice of genre, nor my forte.
  
  Going into this, all I knew was a good friend wanted me to review and publicize this album. I’m more into punk, hardcore, and things of that sort so stepping into this area is taking a big leap for me. I have to say, I’m glad I did and I’m quite impressed with this album!
  
  Skyler has a southern feel with a nice little pop-touch to it that is catchy and makes me want to bop my head along. Even possibly dance. From track to track on this EP, Skyler breaks onto the scene with an upbeat tempo and cute lyrics that will make any girl swoon. But it isn’t just the lyrics or the beat that caught my eye on this album. Skyler’s vocals are what instantly drew me in. He has that country twang I have a special place in my heart for and I love the range he shows on this album. The guitars show talent left and right, which is highly lacking in this genre, and I love the drumming. It’s not overshadowing like some tend to be on their first EPs and I can fully appreciate that! But he doesn’t use only conventional instruments. For an EP, that alone is shocking to hear. He has things like violins and even hints of bells/triangles in the background of the track Stephinie.
  
  However what I think I love most about Skyler is the fact that while he still has his experimental factors, he stays true to his roots and you can hear where those are from. With talks of love, dreams, and everything in between Skyler is just the right formula to get anyone addicted, whether you’re a fan of this genre or not. I would HIGHLY recommend this album to anyone. It’s a good one to have in your collection.

• Skyler's the Limit [+ Show ]
  

  Both Adam and Michael Scharff, established, lead, professional musicians, tell similar stories about...Both Adam and Michael Scharff, established, lead, professional musicians, tell similar stories about why they are playing backing positions in Skyler, a band led by a 20-year-old.
  
  But perhaps Michael Scharff tells it best.
  
  He sets the stage.
  
  The two brothers had just come out of "semi-retirement" and were performing in their own trio. The usual drummer couldn't make a gig, so Adam asked Clark Hamel, aka Skyler, his 17-year-old student, to sit in.
  
  "Everyone was loving the gig. It was an enjoyable experience," recalls Michael Scharff. "The third set I said, 'you know you love the drums Adam. ...; Let Skyler take the lead.' "
  
  Michael Scharff's voice switches intensity; he's still moved by what came next.
  
  "And what happened is the gig went from really good to — all of a sudden you could hear a pin drop with Skyler fronting. I remember looking over at him and thinking, 'oh, my God. This must be what it's like to be on stage with a star ...; Bruce Springsteen or dare I say Elvis, someone that had the audience mesmerized," says Michael Scharff. "I've been on the stage with people with hit records and never experienced that."
  
  Adam Scharff, too, recalls the occasion but adds it was clear Skyler had something special from very early on in the relationship, which started as teacher/student when Skyler was 11.
  
  He recalls a minor incident — and huge indicator. Skyler was 12 and the two were listening to a Beatles' CD, "one I'd listened to plenty of times!" says Adam Scharff. "Skyler was pointing out something about the production ...; something in the way the song was mixed. ...; It was something I'd never noticed and I went, 'huh?' It just kept being reinforced — the fact that there was something really special about him as a musician and artist."
  
  Skyler is no one's puppet, says Michael. He's a self-contained, mature young man, who learns from other's mistakes and really works at his art. He'd make it with any team, he adds.
  
  All three say the evolution to a working a relationship was natural, "organic."
  
  "We were teacher and student, then it progressed," says Skyler. "It started at 11 — taking guitar from Adam. Within a year, we'd moved from guitar to ...; recording. Probably within another year it was not just guitar and producing, he was teaching me song writing. For the next few years in middle school and high he was more of a mentor — also helping me find my way through different parts of the music industry."
  
  By the end of Skyler's junior year in high school, Adam Scharff and he were writing together. Soon after, Michael Scharff started working with them. The trio continued writing via Skype even when Skyler attended Berklee College of Music.
  
  From that first time filling in as a drummer "we just clicked," he adds.
  
  Today, the band consists of the creative team, Skyler on rhythm guitar and lead vocals; Michael Scharff, bass and back-up vocals; Adam Scharff on lead guitar and back-up vocals; along with John Mullette, violin, acoustic guitar and piano, with occasional vocals. The drummer is "a roving cast of characters," says Adam Scharff.
  
  Just months back things started to pick up for the band. An indie A & R firm included a tune by Skyler in a "tip sheet" sent to music industry insider, says Adam Scharff. Eventually, she contacted Skyler (the person) to explain she was getting a lot of traffic to his tune. "She asked him is there anyone you want to send it to?" says Adam Scharff. They've been hopping ever since.
  
  The band has signed with renowned industry lawyer Jim Zumwalt. They're spending quite a bit of time in Nashville meeting with numerous producers, labels and agents, with additional meetings in New York and Atlanta.
  
  At one meeting a label president asked Skyler what he hoped for. "I told him World Domination," says Skyler, with a laugh. "He smiled and said not too many years ago another band gave him that answer, 'It was Godsmack, and they were sitting where you're sitting right now.'"
  
  Skyler admits all the meetings, talks and decision-making can be "incredibly overwhelming," at times. "It's exciting at the same time. But I would be lying if I said it was a total breeze," says Skyler. "But I think if you can take the overwhelming aspects of it, smile, and keep your head down, you can do it."
  
  Having the Scharffs on his team, and a supportive family has made a difference, helped him navigate slowly and thoughtfully, and keep even.
  
  One of the Scharffs is always with him at meetings. They are a team, Skyler underscores. "It's rare I go an entire day without being in touch with one of them," he says. "We're constantly talking about this."
  
  "I wish that I had a clever explanation for why Adam or I — neither of us — have envy (for Skyler). Adam's known him since he was a kid. ...; It was and continues to be this long relationship," says Michael Scharff. He adds, it's similar to the one the two brothers had while playing and touring together. Each appreciated the other's gifts and talents "the ones we didn't possess."
  
  The trio often joke about their relations. "It's sort of the id, the ego and the super ego," says Adam Scharff. "But at the end of the day, it's Skyler. ...; I really enjoy my role and I've always believed in his talent."
  
  In their best day, Scharff Brothers (group), or their later band, the Radio Junkies, never connected with the audience the way Skyler does, adds Michael. "That's the straightforward answer. To be envious of that would be egocentric to the extreme."
  
  These days, they're jointly picking their way through the business, ever mindful of direction. Adam says what's important is being patient, "and making sure what (Skyler) does is authentic to Skyler." It may be a vigilance he and Adam lacked during their own, earlier career. Lesson learned.
  
  "The goal is to hold on to as much as you can," says Skyler. "I have discovered and learned a lot over the last couple years. When you let people on the outside have too much trust ...; it's easy to get burned. It's not that they're trying to mess things up for you, they don't necessarily have the same vision. You have to be on top of things, advocating for yourself all the time."
  
  The music business has slowed for the holiday giving the band a bit of a rest, time to focus on writing "(we're constantly coming up with new ideas," says Skyler), and to mount a benefit show for Seacoast Local's (H)EAT Program.
  
  There are the daily talks and four or so days weekly to write.
  
  "I'm really enjoying it," says Michael Scharff, summing up the three collaborators sentiments. "What's paramount is keeping it fun, creative and something an audience will want to share in."

• Sky High [+ Show ]
  

  By the time he graduated from York High School in 2009, Skyler Clark-Hamel had already recorded five...By the time he graduated from York High School in 2009, Skyler Clark-Hamel had already recorded five CDs and played upwards of 200 gigs. But his EP “Long Gone,” released in May, brought Skyler’s music to a new echelon.
  
  “It’s definitely the most polished piece of work that I’ve done. The songwriters that I work with now are just miles above what I did in high school,” Skyler said, referring to brothers Adam and Michael Scharff. “When the three of us get in a room together, it takes my music to a completely different level.”
  
  Skyler first introduced “Long Gone” with a CD release show at the Dover Brick House in May. He’ll return to the Brick House for an upcoming show on Monday, Dec. 27, following gigs at Rochester Middle School on Wednesday, Dec. 22, and Dover High School on Thursday, Dec. 23.
  
  He also has shows lined up after the New Year, including gigs at Higher Ground in Burlington, Vt., on Sunday, Jan. 9; the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham on Friday, Jan. 21; and Exeter High School on Saturday, Feb. 19.
  
  Now 19, Skyler has grown accustomed to playing in front of large crowds. Also an actor who has performed in 20 professional and repertory theater productions, he has long relished the spotlight.
  
  “I’ve always really liked performing,” Skyler said. “Now it’s very natural, but it took a couple years of being in front of an audience all the time to sort of come into my own.”
  
  The York native was in third grade when he wrote his first song, a bubblegum pop tune inspired by ’N Sync and the Backstreet Boys. From then on, music would consume much of his life. He learned to play several instruments, including guitar, bass, drums and piano, and transformed his bedroom into a recording studio.
  Skyler’s first musical performance in front of a live audience occurred when he was in sixth grade. He’d only been playing guitar for a couple of months and hastily threw together a band for a talent show at York Middle School. They performed a cover of The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.”
  
  Skyler recorded his first full-length CD of original songs during his freshman year of high school and went on to record four others before graduating. He also acted in and wrote scores for several theater productions. His artistic pursuits left little time for schoolwork, which was just fine with him.
  
  “It was either, ‘Do your homework or write the score to a play,’ and I was like, ‘I think I’ll write the score to a play,’” he said.
  
  After graduating, Skyler spent a year at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. The experience helped him grow as a musician, but not in the ways you might expect. When he started searching for band mates to back him at live shows, he found that most of them either showed up late or flaked out completely.
  
  “It taught me how rare reliable musicians are,” he said. “It also really helped me with my work ethic. You really just have to constantly be working at whatever you’re doing, whether it’s the performance aspect or the writing aspect or the recording aspect.”
  
  When it came time to form a professional band, Skyler turned to musicians he knew he could trust. He had taken music lessons from accomplished local musician Adam Scharff since he was 11 years old and had sat in with The Scharff Brothers on several occasions, mostly playing drums. Occasionally, Skyler would front the band as a lead vocalist with Adam taking over the drum kit.
  
  To round out his own band, Skyler recruited fellow Berklee student John Mullett, a multi-instrumentalist who plays fiddle, keyboards and more.
  
  “He was the first guy I met (at Berklee),” Skyler said. “We bonded over the fact that we were the only two guys at Berklee that really liked Taylor Swift.”
  
  The new quartet, with Adam Scharff on lead guitar and Michael Scharff on bass, adopted Skyler’s name. They provide the core of the music on “Long Gone,” along with guests Matt Sokol on drums and Karl Anderson on Hammond B3 and Fender Rhodes. The group has since added permanent drummer Mark Davenport.
  
  The music is solid pop-rock fizzing with teen romance. Skyler’s voice is smooth and confident, rising in pitch when appropriate but mostly sticking to a steady cool. Mullett and the Scharff brothers add impeccable musicianship, resulting in a CD that makes Skyler sound like he’s been at it for decades.
  
  All five songs on the EP revolve around the lyrical themes of girls, love and relationships, from the youthful innocence of “Hold My Hand” to the brash whimsicality of “Stephanie.” “And I don’t care what your boyfriend would say, or what my girlfriend thinks,” he sings in the latter (Skyler does, by the way, have a gal).
  Although he’s recently developed a taste for country acts like Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, Skyler said his biggest influences are classics like The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello and Tom Petty. Those influences come through on “Long Gone,” as you can easily imagine Petty singing lead vocals on “It’s Just the Night.”
  
  Skyler now lives back home in York and still devotes most of his time to music. He sits down for writing sessions with the Scharff brothers three times a week, exchanging ideas and working on new songs.
  
  “All three of us write all the songs together,” he said. “Some songs, I will come to them with an idea or chorus or verse and they’ll help me finish it up ... or they’ll come with a musical idea or lyrical idea and I will help them flesh it out.”
  
  He’s not sure when his next recording will take shape, but he’s always coming up with new stuff. “The material just keeps on getting better, and I just keep getting more excited about it,” he said.
  
  Most of Skyler’s fans are even younger than him, and he plays many of his gigs at middle and high schools. Certain lyrical cues remind us that Skyler is the product of a new generation. On “Hold My Hand,” for instance, he sings, “Can’t wait to read your words as they reach my phone.” It’s the same old love-sick sentiment, but this time by text message instead of phone call.
  
  Though he’s a budding local sensation, Skyler came of age at a time when major record deals are harder than ever to come by. That’s OK with him, though, as long as he keeps getting opportunities to play his music in front of crowds.
  
  “I just want to play for as many people as I possibly can and bring as much joy to people through my music as I can, and that’s really all I can do,” he said.

• Profiled Artist: Skyler [+ Show ]
  

  By: Kat Acott Skyler is an unsigned artist whose music really portrays his passion and determinat...By: Kat Acott
  
  Skyler is an unsigned artist whose music really portrays his passion and determination. From as early as elementary school, the star from York, ME, was performing in the playground to his classmates on a makeshift stage. His bedroom was quickly transformed into a recording studio and by the time High School had ended the multi-instrumentalist had released his first full-length CD. Skyler’s music became a vital part of his life. Pursuing his dream, he spent a year at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. After 20 professional theatre productions and over 250 gigs, the result is a sound you can’t help but love!
  
  Putting acoustic/pop sounds in a fresh perspective, his sound is hard to compare to any artist before him. However, his new EP, Long Gone, has taken more of a rock vibe. Skyler is gaining fans with every show he performs, and I for one, am definitely hooked! Currently, he’s performing all around the US, so if you want a slice of playground jam you can check out his full list of upcoming shows on his MySpace.
  
  His brand new Long Gone EP was recorded and produced by Jonathan Wyman (Halo Studios) and mastered by Adam Ayan (Gateway Mastering), and is available to listen to on MySpace and can be downloaded on iTunes. If you haven’t already, be one of the first to check this up-and-coming artist out! I predict it won’t be long until everyone has heard his unique sound.

• Interview with Skyler [+ Show ]
  

  I’m about to sit down with who I’m told is a musical wunderkind. At 18 years old, he’s already writ...I’m about to sit down with who I’m told is a musical wunderkind. At 18 years old, he’s already written five original albums, 20 professional and repertory theatre productions, and played over 250 gigs. Now he’s sitting across from me on a futon. Who is this guy? His name is Skyler.
  
  
  Having just released his Long Gone EP (his sixth album), I’m interested to learn more about this York, Maine native. Skyler admits he had to look outside his quaint vacation town for musical inspiration. “Growing up I’d listen to my parents’ records, I’m a huge Beatles fan. I also spent a lot of time listening to the radio, WERZ and WBLM. I’d say the radio and my parents’ records collection really helped form my sound in the early years.” And what about local influences? “Can’t say there was much of a scene in York … does Rick Charette count?” The mastermind behind “Alligator In The Elevator”? Yes, he counts.
  
  With Skyler hailing from Maine, a song titled “This Dream (Nashville)” catches my attention. The descriptor of “Nashville” being the anomaly here. Skyler took a road trip to Nashville in the summer of 2009 to explore the roots of country music. “Essentially I felt like I knew absolutely nothing about country music. And country has so much to do with rock music today, I knew I needed to visit and learn all I could.” Skyler made this trip with his girlfriend, during which they spent all their money on transportation and hotel rooms … therefore they survived on Fruity Pebbles for the three week trip (true story).
  
  With the musical capacity to write five albums before graduating high school, one could only imagine his creative output after spending a full year at Berklee. And as a matter fact, this first year at Berklee resulted in the Long Gone EP. “I did most of the writing during my first semester. There were some geographic challenges surrounding collaboration with my bandmates while we were writing Long Gone. We actually wrote several songs via Skype” [namely “This Dream” and “Hold My Hand”]. The question is, did Berklee improve his song writing? “I tried studying song writing, didn’t do much for me until just recently. The structure they teach at Berklee made me more conscious of the craft of song writing as a whole, lately I’ve spending more time focusing on writing ‘well-crafted’ songs. I’ve also been challenging myself to see if I can write within the box Berklee teaches. It’s been very different writing songs that are still catchy within the Berklee parameters.”
  
  Skyler was fortunate enough to work with producer/mixer/engineer extraordinaire Jonathan Wyman (whose credits include Ray Lamontagne, Jeremiah Freed, Keep Me Conscious, Sparks the Rescue, As Fast As, and Prospect Hill to name a few) on his Long Gone EP. “It was a humbling experience getting to work with Wyman, he has such a great vision for how songs can come together, we were excited to let him work his magic. He gave us a ton of creative input and really helped to shape some of our songs. Without Wyman, I’m not sure how this record would have turned out.”
  
  The song that sticks out most on the Long Gone EP is a track titled “Stephanie”. I mention to Skyler that this seems to be the most genre-bending song of the record; an acoustic song reminiscent of early Yellowcard with the vocals and storytelling of a seasoned country artist. “Everybody hears what they want to hear from our music, we get a lot of ‘you sound like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.’ When we wrote this song specifically, there was this punk girl I had a crush on, and I began writing this kind of punk/bluegrass song about her.” And for those of you who are curious, this song is about an actual girl he knows named Stephanie … Skyler pulls no punches. As the story goes on we learn that this song almost got Skyler in a fight with a guy at an Applebees. You heard it right, an Applebees.
  
  This next exchange was quite interesting. In past interviews I’ve consistently asked bands how “social media has affected their band, their music, etc.” Typically the conversation brings up a nostalgic discussion of the “good old days” when bands would post flyers all over town. However, Skyler makes an important point of clarification: “I’ve never been in the industry without social media. I haven’t known anything besides it. Really, it’s all about connection between the musicians and the people who love their music. The social media connection allows musicians to create a community where the interaction is more transparent and genuine.” Yes my friends, the days of posting flyers in the halls of your high school are over, but I’m guessing you already knew that.
  
  Wrapping up our interview we explore what Skyler’s biggest challenge has been thus far. At first he seems unsure, given his accomplishments to date it seems he hasn’t stopped to examine what’s been challenging, he’s simply pushed through all of it. Obviously we discuss the tribulations of putting together (and keeping together) a supportive band, but truthfully, this doesn’t seem all that worrisome to Skyler. And why would it? Skyer knows that the biggest challenge is what’s yet to come around the corner, not to worry though, he’s been preparing for it his entire life.

• Concert for the Ages: Skyler is Back in Town [+ Show ]
  

  By Samantha Doucette Local York artist Skyler Clark-Hamel and band will be playing an all-ages co...By Samantha Doucette
  
  Local York artist Skyler Clark-Hamel and band will be playing an all-ages concert for his hometown later this month.
  
  "It's always fun to play a show in the town you grew up," Skyler said, "Which is why we're going to do an all-ages show in York in November."
  
  Showtime is 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14, at the American Legion Post 56.
  
  He will also be visiting York area schools to promote the upcoming concert. According to his Facebook page, he will visit York High School on Friday and again Wednesday, York Middle School on Tuesday and Wednesday, andMarshwood Middle School on Friday, Nov. 12.
  
  Skyler, 19, an upcoming rock/pop songwriter and performer, grew up in York and is a 2009 graduate from York High School. He attended Berklee College of Music for a year, and now resides in York.
  
  Before his graduation in 2009, Skyler had released four original CDs, participated in 20 professional and repertory theater productions and has played more than 250 gigs.
  
  He said his biggest influences when he was young was the Beatles.
  
  "I completely fell in love with them," he said. "They had a profound effect on me."
  
  He also said that Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty are long-time favorites, and that recently Taylor Swift and Keith Urban have been inspiring him to write.
  
  His band members includes John Mullet, brothers Adam and Michael Scharff, and Mark Davenport.
  
  "My band and I had a very successful CD release party at the Dover Brickhouse in May," said Skyler. "We played the Stratham Fair and were asked to headline next year."
  
  The release party that took place May 16 was the release of the EP, "Long Gone."
  
  Skyler and his band also showcased in New York for 20-plus music industry representatives, and played at CMJ Music Festival in New York in October.
  
  "It has been a bit of a whirlwind playing all of the shows," said Skyler. "It has been a lot of fun, and a bit crazy."

• Skyler (the band) Presents Its New EP on May 16 [+ Show ]
  

  By Jeanné McCartin features@seacoastonline.com May 08, 2010 2:00 AM Skyler is 18, a student at Be...By Jeanné McCartin
  features@seacoastonline.com
  May 08, 2010 2:00 AM
  Skyler is 18, a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, who plays guitar, drums, bass, keyboard and sings. But more telling is that two highly respected, decidedly non-teen music vets back his band — Skyler.
  
  So how does an 18-year-old land the Adam and Michael Scharff as band members? In a word, according to Adam, talent.
  
  "It's very, very hard to quantify his talent," says Adam Scharff, who met Skyler, (Skyler Clark-Hamel), at age 11 when he first started studying with him. "In any of (his musical roles) he'd be a solid addition whatever the project is. ...; In any of those roles you'd go 'wow that's great.' But there's something about Skyler as an artist that's very unique and hard to put into words.
  
  "The best way to define Skyler's 'good' is, well, have you ever been somewhere when someone walks in the room, and everyone stops, turns, and says 'who is that." That's what he's like on stage fronting a band.'
  
  Skyler — the band — will debut "Long Gone" its freshman EP, May 16 with its usual line-up: Skyler, vocals and rhythm guitar, Adam Scharff, lead guitar and background vocals; Michael Scharff, bass and background vocals and John Mullett, keyboard, fiddle, guitar, vocals "and whatever else we ask him to do," says Skyler.
  
  The band formation was organic, born of a respectful student/instructor relationship and the Scharffs' (plural) and Skyler's writing collaboration.
  
  The writing came first, initially part of the student/instructor relationship."
  
  Adam was basically helping me be a better writer, pointing things out. The switch? Maybe I was 16-ish," says Skyler. "Rather than a teacher helping, we started writing together. Then after six months of that Michael started writing. ...; It's become a really strong writing partnership."
  
  The three initially performed publicly as the Scharffs, Skyler sitting in when they needed a drummer.
  
  "Mike and I thought 'wow, this is great, and he became a regular," says Adam Scharff. "We started hanging out with him more; it felt like we were hanging with someone in a band rather than a student."
  
  "Performing wise I think that's when we shifted to equal," says Skyler. "Writing (as a peer) came a little before that — Adam would be best to ask about that. But I think it went from him helping me to us writing them together, when he had songs he was writing and I would have input on it and it would turn into a collaboration."
  
  Scharff concurs.
  
  When it came time for Skyler to step out with the music written for his band, it only made sense the brothers be part of it. Neither project with the Scharffs was Skyler's first. He'd been in bands throughout high school, busked and worked some clubs.
  
  But he'd known music was his direction long before.
  
  "The Beatles got me hooked. I was probably 4 or 5 years old, I went though my parents' record collection, LPs," says Skyler.
  
  He'd wrote his first song in the third grade, "(the same thing I've written about for the last 10 years, girls, love and relationships)."
  
  "Then I learned to play guitar and added music to the lyrics," he says.
  
  Lyrics, melody and harmony are the constant thread to his music, he says.
  
  Skyler — the band — is most easily described as rock pop, says the man behind the moniker. "The hardest (description) is because it's rock 'n' roll you have elements of blues, country, folk, a little bit of everything in there. People have mentioned to me — they hear Hank Williams in there. I've never even listened to Hank. Or they'll say Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen. ...; It's rock 'n' roll."
  
  These days Skyler feels the "peer" in the relationship with the brothers, though the profound admiration continues.
  
  "I do consider myself very, very lucky to have found the Scharff brothers and become such good friends with them. ...; Today I'm totally, 100 percent in my element with these two guys. I don't think I could ever be more comfortable with two people.
  
  "If he's able to stay in school — no explanation given for the comment — Skyler says he will do so. In theory he'll work the grades and the band. This summer the band plans to support the CD throughout the Northeast.
  
  "I think you'll be seeing lots of him," says Adam Scharff.

• Score One For Skyler [+ Show ]
  

  By Rob Levey When the New Hampshire Theatre Project's Junior Youth Repertory Company opens its "K...By Rob Levey
  
  When the New Hampshire Theatre Project's Junior Youth Repertory Company opens its "King Arthur's Court" next weekend, it will feature original music written by York High School junior Skyler Clark-Hamel.
  
  Introduced to NHPT through its artist-in-residence program, which is offered to K-12 students at schools in the greater Seacoast region, Clark-Hamel is now in his fifth year with the company.
  
  "The New Hampshire Theatre Project is really great, because they give you the opportunity to try other things," said Clark-Hamel. "Acting is a great thing and I do it more for the enjoyment of it, but the music is what I plan on spending my life doing — specifically, the production of it. I like to arrange the strings, be the fifth member of the band, the writer — those sorts of things."
  
  According to the director of both the production and the Junior Repertory Theatre Company, Meghann Beauchamp, Clark-Hamel's contributions have always been as enthusiastic as they have been varied.
  
  "Skyler has been a theater student of ours for a number of years and though his work with us is mainly as an actor, his outside interest in music has started to take over," noted Beauchamp.
  
  However, while Beauchamp also knew of his musical talent, she said was taken aback at the scope of his composition.
  
  "We've been able to watch him grow as an artist, but I had no idea his composition for 'King Arthur's Court' would be so in-depth," she said. "Right now he's actually composing a symphony for the pre-show music. ... I couldn't be more pleased with the collaboration as a director or as a teacher."
  
  For Clark-Hamel, who has spent the better part of the last month writing the production's score after school, NHTP has played a pivotal role in his life on a number of different levels.
  
  "It is a great opportunity to do something you love and enjoy, but there's also an important social aspect to it," said Clark-Hamel. "It is a chance to meet other people, and once I realized I loved acting I also realized this was a way to act with other people who also loved acting."
  
  Beauchamp said theater is a unique art form in that it is not just about acting, but rather incorporates many different mediums and can serve a variety of purposes.
  
  "Theater is a collaboration of many different arts," she said. "There is lighting, set design, stage management, movement, visual — it's about team-building and working together. Communication is the base of this art. It can show kids how to express themselves, resolve conflicts, see something through another person's eyes. It can give people of all ages more knowledge of themselves and self-confidence."
  
  Written by NHTP's Artistic Director Genevieve Aichele, "King Arthur's Court" is an in-depth character study that follows three American children on vacation in England who accidentally spend the night in an old castle and encounter King Arthur and his court of legendary characters. Costumes for the production were designed in collaboration with the Cocheco Arts & Technology Academy.

Setlist

Hold My Hand
This Dream (Nashville)
Stephanie
Any Stupid Thing
It's Just the Night
It Kills Me
Take You Away
Hold On (Pray)
Emo Band
So I'm Told
Empty Rooms
Living the Dream
All Good
Sentimental
Dreamy Miss Wiebe
Hold On

Beer in Mexico (Kenny Chesney)
Barefoot Blue Jean Nights (Jake Owen)
Let My Love Open the Door (Pete Townshend)
I'm Going Down (Bruce Springsteen)
Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash)
Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles)
Takin Care of Business (BTO)
Two (Ryan Adams)
Lover, Lover (Jerrod Niemann)
Keep Your Hands to Yourself (Georgia Satellites)

Basic Requirements

Calendar