Soundtrack recently reached out to Jeff Garber, the man behind the stellar band National Skyline. National Skyline has been creating and releasing music since the early 2000's, and they're no stranger around MTV. NS's music can be heard prominently throughout The Hills, Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, and Friendzone. NS recently released an incredible full length album, Primitive Parade, that weaves deep elements of sonically unbeatable beats and emotions throughout. Top to Bottom, this album is beyond pleasing to the ears and worth your time. We posted the full album stream at the bottom of the interview. If you like what you hear, run out and grab it.
++ National Skyline interview ++
ST: Where are you from and how has that influenced your music?
NS: I'm from the Mid-West, specifically right outside St. Louis. Michael Stipe from REM graduated from my high school, which was a big deal. So I've been raised on indie music since I was a kid.
ST: What did MTV mean to you growing up and what does it mean to you now?
NS: It was very important for my development musically. I used to record MTV's 120 minutes and learned to play guitar by watching where people put their fingers.
ST: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and why?
NS: My favorite groups are Deerhunter, Washed Out, and Tame Impala. I'm a fan of any group that really delivers a dark hook. I tend to like sad music, I guess. Music that has emotional context.
ST: If you could work with one artist dead or alive, who would it be?
NS: I'd like to be a fly on the wall at some recording sessions for sure. Maybe U2's Unforgettable Fire or Radiohead's OK Computer. I'd just like to be in the studio while they recorded those albums. Maybe I'd get coffee for people.
ST: Many of your songs deal with themes of love, heartbreak and the bittersweet. Where do you gather inspiration for your songs' subject matter?
NS: I write stream of consciousness lyrics. 90% of the time my final lyrics are the first ideas that popped into my head while I was writing the song. I try to make sure the words sound good. I guess I'm subconsciously bittersweet and lovelorn, now that I think about it.
ST: Real World or Jersey Shore?
NS: Jersey Shore nowadays, but I've spent lots of time with the Real World. I remember the first season, which was a looooong time ago.
ST: If you could be known for only one of your songs, which would you choose and why?
NS: I'm partial to a song called "He Was Lost". It's lyrically dark but the music is upbeat. A perfect balance of yin and yang.
++ Interview by Jaron Lum
+++ Purchase National Skyline's latest album 'Primitive Parade' here
++++ Stream the album 'Primitive Parade' below
