Skylar Pocket is a queer-fronted band from the New Brunswick music scene who, as many of their fans and other reviewers have noticed, always makes a point to create an incredibly welcoming and accepting environment at their live performances and even through their music. They advocate for other queer and BIPOC individuals within the scene and throughout the world. A good portion of their music speaks to the struggles of being a trans/non-binary person in this world, as well as the frontperson, Skylar Graham’s, personal experiences as a young trans person. You’ll typically find them in a small, sweaty, stuffed, string-light lit basement in the depths of the state-wide DIY music scene jamming out to their fast paced, “mosh-able” songs, as well as their slower, more sentimental tracks. While this setting may sound rather unappealing to some, many consider this their home, and Skylar Pocket does a great job of making everyone in the band and in the audience feel at home.
Their two-song EP 29/Elixir, simply named after the two tracks on the EP, brings you along an emotional, coming-of-age story through up-beat lofi songs that make you feel as though you’re in that small, dark basement watching the band right in front of you.
“29” starts off with a simple chord progression in this punchy guitar tone then a single snare hit signals the rest of the band to come in and the beginning of the first verse. Which is followed by a brutally honest and self-critical first line “I am selfish” to really grab the listeners attention. The song keeps that same punchy guitar track throughout the first few verses and choruses, accompanied by a bouncing bassline and a really tight drum track. Everything about this song is very stripped down, and while some people might find that boring, that’s what attracts me to this song. The vocal performance is raw and the emotion in their voice really is brought to light. A short breakdown occurs as the next part of the song, and this is where a heavily distorted second guitar trails in with some feedback and then that plays along with the punchy guitar track and it really revs things up. The song is played out with a guitar solo from the distorted guitar, as the rest of the band hits their overdrive pedals, and the drummer lets loose from that tight drumming and begins to play more freely and loudly. A rowdy ending full of fun and feedback transitions smoothly into the next, and final track on the EP.
Through the hum of the feedback, you cannot even tell where “29” ends and “Elixir” begins. Some transitions between songs seem very orchestrated and those often come out sounding pretty tacky. This transition, however, is so seamless and authentic, and I think they nailed it. Having a nice transition like that adds to the cohesiveness of the EP, and that’s one of the most important aspects of writing and putting together a record. As the feedback rings on, the steady beat of a kick drum sets the tempo for the song. The feedback fades and in comes a steady plucking of single notes on the guitar that finishes with the strum of a chord full of reverb and chorus. These dreamy strums of chords fill the verses with a sense of whimsy and complement the pensive lyrics perfectly. The fluttering of the closed hi-hat and the bassline following the single guitar notes from the beginning accompany each other so well throughout the verses, and they both build up when the song transitions from the verse to the chorus. The roll of the snare drum signals the beginning of the chorus, and everyone starts getting loud. Cymbals are crashing, the guitar is fast and aggressive, and the bassline gets much more intricate, and Graham screams the intimate lyrics:
So please just close your eyes
I don’t want you seeing
My body when it’s wet
My body when it’s bleeding
Then a brief, softer interlude with competing guitar riffs that replicate the single notes from the beginning. An even longer snare roll starts to build up, along with some more feedback, to the last chorus. During this last part, there’s a fun, lofi guitar solo with the reverb and chorus effects that go along with the stretched out lyrics. “Elixir” is fast-paced and full of emotion, and with the way the music is arranged in this song, you’re able to feel those intense emotions through the music alone, without even considering the lyrics. And when seeing them live, you’re always able to feel and express those emotions with no shame.
At some point during every show the band makes a point to acknowledge the trans people at the show and tell them that they matter and are valid. Being part of a scene that is largely made up of cis individuals, it can be intimidating being a trans person in a band or in the audience at one of these shows. But if you’re going to a show and Skylar Pocket is on the lineup, you know you are welcome there and will be safe there. Graham makes an effort to normalize talking about trans related topics within this scene by speaking about their own transition, gender dysphoria, hormones, etc. and preaching inclusivity. This can help spread useful information to the trans community in the audience, in addition to helping them feel more comfortable by seeing that another trans person feels comfortable enough to share their experiences in this space.
Not only does Skylar Pocket generate a safe place through their performance, their music radiates those same safe and intimate vibes. These two mediums of creating such a welcoming and secure environment makes seeing this band one of the most comforting experiences I’ve ever had. Skylar Pocket has a way with words, and they do a fantastic job of writing music that best suits the lyrics of each song. Graham is not afraid to open up to their audience and write about their personal experiences in their music, and in doing so, they allow their music and their shows to be authentic and relatable which makes it that much more appealing to the audience. As they sing about their experiences being a non-binary trans person in this world, anyone who has a similar identity can feel a sense of unity and come to the realization that you are not alone. Hearing an artist sing about such personal experiences and feelings allows you to see the artist in a vulnerable state and that allows you to immerse yourself in that comfortable and secure state in a way that you might not be able to do at a different show or with a different band.
I’ve seen many bands play in this music scene, I’ve even been in one myself, and there are some really great bands that are part of it that I really enjoy seeing. There’s something different about Skylar Pocket though that just makes you want to go back and see them again and again. Maybe it’s the safe space they make a point to create at each and every show. Or maybe it’s their personal lyrics that make you introspective about your own experiences. Or the much needed validation and love that Graham makes an effort to spread to all the trans individuals at each show. And maybe it’s none of that and they are just fun to jam out to. Whatever it is, you’re not going to want to miss them if you get an opportunity to see them play. And remember, the smaller and sweatier the basement, the more fun it’ll be!
