Rebecca Skelton | On Our Radar
We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Gainesville, Georgia’s own Rebecca Skelton. We’re so excited to share our conversation.
Photo credit: Maya Parlier (@janeleeco)
Moredopemusic: How did you first get started in making music, and what pushed you to pursue it seriously?
Rebecca Skelton: Well music has always been a part of my life. I took piano lessons at such a young age, and I did choir and theatre throughout high school. Although, I didn’t actually start writing my own songs until a couple of years ago in 2023 when I was graduating high school moving into college. I kept it a secret for so long because I felt embarrassed for the longest time, and would only show my close friends. Once I did they said “omg you have to release music” and I never really did anything about it. Fast forward a bit, I move into college and was writing ‘happily ever after’ which ended up on my first EP ‘in my head’ and my roommates heard me and they pushed that I needed to get in the studio asap. For me that was the turning point for sure and I’m super grateful for them. I was thinking there was no way to get into a studio because I had no resources to do it like it seemed impossible. Next thing you know I was in a studio the next two weeks slowly working on this EP. I ended up changing producers a couple times, and then I ended up back in my hometown and met Jimmy which is my current producer! We’ve been making music ever since the summer of 2024 and it’s been the biggest blessing. All of the people that I’ve met when I first started all encourage me to keep going and I couldn’t be more grateful with how things have been turning out despite me getting frustrated sometimes. I love them!!
Moredopemusic: What current project or release are you most excited about right now?
Rebecca Skelton: Currently I am working on my debut album!! Im UNBELIEVABLY excited for it. A new era, new vibe, a new theme way different than my EP. Every track has its own world, and when you put them together and listen in order it tells a story. I think that is why I’m most excited for it. It’s got many songs individually that I think are better than my EP. Two singles are already out, and the lead single ‘I think ily’ is almost at 40k streams so far. ‘not the one’ my newest single right now is my best sounding song by far in my opinion. There’s a current song on the album that I really love that we just finished recording, and it destroys me every time I listen to it. I’m telling you we have all different kinds of genres In this album that twist the knife for sure!
Moredopemusic: What message or emotion do you hope people take away from your music?
Rebecca Skelton: I really hope and pray that people feel seen and connected through my music. That has been my number one dream, and the reason why I do what I do. I write things that I go through in hopes that people that discover me realize there’s always another option and way to approach life. Whenever I perform a show that’s my favorite part, because that’s when I finally get to see people in person, meet them, and get to finally talk to them. It makes it 10x sweeter and more impactful and it warms my heart when people come up to me after a show and say “you connected with me and others around me so well”. I could honestly cry thinking about it
Photo credit: Maya Parlier (@janeleeco)
Moredopemusic: What keeps you going during moments when you feel like giving up?
Rebecca Skelton: Every time I feel like I want to give up is usually when Im too focused on social media and not the actual art form. When that happens, I truly take a step back, and I write again… whatever comes out. Nothing good comes out forced or rushed. I also take the time and be with the people who encourage like my best friend Angela. She usually gives me some great ideas to write about gives me a break from my own life haha. Another thing is getting back to work in the studio. When Jimmy and I are actively putting in all the layers and pieces to a song that we are working on, it honestly feels like a magic high. We have so much fun making jokes, taking samples, laughing at my horrible takes, like those are the moments that make my career awesome because I realize I actually love what I do. It’s the people I surround myself with. The only thing that can hurt your success in this field is you if you let it. Don’t be too in your head and take things at face value. Reflecting helps sometimes too like being grateful for the opportunities that have come, and realizing that I am just getting started. It grounds and puts me in my place. I’ve come to terms that this beginning stage/ this foundation really is the most important part…that you can’t rush it. Things are not gonna happen immediately. It’s a slow climb but that only makes reaching the top feel so much better and relieving.
Photo credit: Maya Parlier (@janeleeco)
Moredopemusic: What is a long-term dream or milestone you hope to achieve in your career?
Rebecca Skelton: My biggest dream ever is to sell out a world tour. I love performing. I love creating my own shows, setlist, direction, sharing my stories, and thinking about the moving pieces. It’s the final piece of the “artists circle.” I do have a huge bucket list in my notes app that says “the dreams I know are set in my heart” and theres a good bit, but it all comes down to traveling and performing. I have the best band to do that with, and that only gives me so much hope. All of us together is like chaos, and it’s all of our dreams to be on the road one day. I’m too ambitious for this to not happen, and my band knows it.
