Richie Skye

Lateboots.com (Fashion & Lifestyle Blog) Interview: November 2007
http://www.lateboots.com
Artist Name: Ellis Uniques (pronounced U-neek-us)
Group Members: Elmira Maria and Richie Skye

What separates you from other artists today?
Richie Skye: Ellis Uniques, as a group, really celebrates diversity – being unapologetically unique and original. Our music really reflects a wide range of influences from Soul and R&B, to Hip Hop and Pop, all while adding elements of African rhythms and drums with a lot of heavy bass. Lyrically, our topics reflect situations that the average person can relate to; and it’s not all about love, although we do touch on that subject as well. However, the everyday person deals with work issues, family problems, financial woes and unfulfilled dreams – and we really wanted to cater to those situations, but in a fun way! Our album, 35 Miles, is really about our journey through life, but told in a way that makes listeners nod their heads and think “They’re really talking about my life right now!”

Who would you sign with tomorrow?
Richie Skye: That’s a good question – it really depends on if it was the right deal or not. We definitely respect labels like Def Jam, Jive and Geffen. All of them have quite a phenomenal roster of artists, however, the smaller labels like TVT are really attractive, because they really put a lot into their artists with the expectation that its sometimes a slow and steady climb to building an artist’s or group’s career. It really does come down to the best deal offered though, because right now, we’re pretty much running our own label – financing the project, marketing, publicity, etc, so we’re fine without a major (label) in the short-run. Both of us studied Mass Communications at Virginia Tech, so we both have a lot of experience with mass media, so that really helps as well!

What is the process of writing for you, what are you most inspired by?
Richie Skye: Our writing process is crazy, because it’s always different. Sometimes someone will come to us with an idea and together we’ll totally chop it up and make it our own. Usually, I’ll present a beat to Elmira and she’ll come up with a crazy melody, and then I’ll go home and write the lyrics. Then we’ll come together and she’ll put some stank on it…and it all just comes together. Most of our inspiration comes from our own lives – whether it was stress from our day jobs, feelings of insecurity or a bad breakup – we’d write about it to purge ourselves.

What is the style of your records?
Richie Skye: We like to call it Alternative R&B and Hip Pop. There are the basic elements of R&B, Hip Hop with a little bit of Pop – but you’ll also hear a little bit of DC-inspired Go-Go, Dancehall and Trip Hop.

Can you tell me more about the messages embedded in your songs?
Richie Skye: The entire album is inspirational in terms of the messages. Self-confidence is the theme on tracks like Get Sexy and Charisma, especially for the ladies. Its important for the ladies to feel sexy and know that they don’t have to take off all their clothes. Sometimes, you just want to forget about the stresses of work and you just want to get loose and have a good time, which is the subject of Monkey, our first single. People also need to know that its okay to feel sad and lonely, as illustrated on tracks like Broken and our second single, Fade Away.

What is your favorite song on the album, why?
Richie Skye: It really changes from week to week! I can narrow it down to three – Monkey, Fade Away and Stop. Monkey is just a fun track and it really hits you hard when you hear it; as soon as people hear the first couple of measures of the song, they’re bouncing around to it. Fade Away is mostly acoustic guitar and it really just has a lot of feeling to it, and it was just well written. Stop, was a song I wrote about 8 years ago after a bad breakup, and Elmira really just conveyed every emotion I felt as I was writing it. It’s really stripped down, just her and a piano, and it’s a song that we know a lot of people will relate to.

What is the story behind your album?
Richie Skye: It’s been literally four years in the making! We’ve had some of these songs for years now, and the fact that they’re still relevant today makes these songs timeless. The concept of the title of the album, 35 Miles, really illustrates how life seems to pass really quickly, but sometimes it seems like you’re moving in slow motion in regards to reaching your dreams or finding love – so you’re going at what some people call “Life Speed”, which for us is 35 miles per hour.

What is it about “performing” that satisfies you?
Richie Skye: I think it’s really connecting with the audience, seeing their heads bob and repeating the lyrics. It really gives you the sense that they’ve been where you’ve been and can relate to the words.

Who would you like to work with?
Richie Skye: As far as producers, my wish list includes Timbaland, Swizz Beats and Polow Da Don. They often incorporate some of the drum and bass elements that we like in our music. As a producer myself, I just know that I can learn so much from them.
As far as artists go, I’d really love to do some work with Amy Winehouse.

What artist and or/ genre of music influenced you growing up?
Richie Skye: Definitely Prince, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane and Salt-N-Pepa. I love old school Hip Hop and really miss the element of fun. We definitely hope to bring some of the fun back to music, but still keep it meaningful.

What projects are you currently working on?
Richie Skye: Well, right now we’re gearing up for the release of the album, interviewing band members and dancers to hit the road in January throughout the summer of 2008. Our song, Shoulda Never, is being used as the kick off single for the release of a novel by Stephanie D. Brown called Sable’s Karma...The Secret’s OUT. I also serve as Artistic Director for the Bodyshakers, a Maryland-based dance organization, as well as, Audra (a Hip Hop artist) and MD Management. Also, you can catch me modeling DC Fashion Week events this Fall.

When and where can your music be purchased?
Richie Skye: Our music is available via our website (www.ellisuniques.com) and our myspace page (www.myspace.com/ellisuniques). Once our album drops, it will be available via CD Baby, Amazon.com, iTunes and other select online retailers.
- Lateboots.com

Ellis Uniques' debut album, 35 Miles, is by far the best cult classic album of 2008. With a sound that truly exhibits the phrase "music without boundaries," their sound parallels a mixture of soul of Duffy and Amy Winehouse, the pure "eclecticism" of Santogold and the outrageous fun of the Black Eyed Peas! Sure to please many listeners palettes for what's new, what's next and what's hot! - Independence Publishing, TLR

E. Maria and Richie Skye are Ellis Uniques - one of the most original and dynamic groups you'll ever hear! … With their innovative sound and amazing versatility - their story is one that simply has to be told!
- iRep Magazine