English musician Will Dorey's studio project, Skinshape, is a sonic time machine, blending vintage sounds from funk, soul, reggae, and psychedelic rock. Drawing inspiration from the rich musical landscape of the 1960s and 70s, Skinshape has captivated listeners worldwide, amassing hundreds of millions of streams across platforms. We caught up with him off the back of his European tour to ask him some questions about his life as an artist.
We’ve heard that the inspiration for Skinshape was the way that older music sounds. Can you tell us a little bit more about how the project came about?
The project came about many years ago when I was sixteen years old. I came up with the name and started making music and putting it on soundcloud for free listening. Eventually I got picked up by a label in Greece who released my first album.
What advice would you give to other independent artists?
I would say that they should not get a manager (certainly at the start). I have never had a manager and I’m very sure this was the right decision. It is not 'necessary.' Next they should only EVER sign up with a label that gives them 50% share of profits – check very carefully the agreement. Never give your rights for more than 10 years no matter how good the label is. Or release it themselves if they’re savvy enough. Lastly I'd tell them to get wise to music publishing. Make sure it's all correctly listed on PRS/MCPS or whichever service they use. And last last ... Keep making music! Don't give up.
You’ve had a string of sold out shows in Europe recently. What’s the most memorable show you’ve played so far?
The shows [in Europe] were wonderful. Up until now, I'd have to say L.A. was probably the most memorable, as it was our first ever official live show in October 2024 and the crowd was wild. A beautiful experience.