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The Deli Philly's Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner: Skeleton Lipstick
- by The Deli Staff
In the world of music, you’ll find artists working on their craft from all walks of life. We’re guessing that The Deli Philly’s most recent Featured Artist(s) Poll Winner Skeleton Lipstick a.k.a. Chris Smith is our first oral surgery resident. The fledgling project is just putting on its make-up and getting ready for its coming out party with the release of a full-length album on July 4 via Airlines Tapes. But first, get to know Skeleton Lipstick by reading our interview below.
The Deli: How did you start making music?
Chris Smith: I've always loved music. I used to pour over the liner notes for grunge albums when I was in middle school, but it wasn't until I was 14, and an older friend gave me a copy of Cap'n Jazz's first LP and Converge's Petioning The Empty Sky that I felt inspired to learn an instrument. I was completely floored by how both band's variatiated theme, style and sound in their songwriting. From there, I got into the local South Jersey and Philly indie music scene, learned bass, then guitar, then programming synths and working with DAWs.
TD: Where did the name Skeleton Lipstick come from?
CS: I use a lot of old broken synths from the 80s when I write music. Repurposing their obsolete or dying sounds for a modern context to me is like dressing up a decayed skeleton for a night out with the living.
TD: What are your biggest musical influence?
CS: My Bloody Valentine, NEU, Failure, Negativland, Joy Division, Suicide, and Boards of Canada are bands whose moods and sound textures I use as reference points when I'm writing/recording. On the other hand, I take a lot of influence from C-grade 80s music and obscure Italo disco also. If you've never listened to Fancy before, you are completely missing out and should go watch the video for "Lady of Ice" on YouTube.
TD: What artists (local, national and/or international) are you currently listening to?
CS: Philly has wonderful artists. Sun Airway, Cold Cave, Woe and Hermit Thrushes are some of my favorites. Non-philly bands I've been listening a lot lately are Com Truise, Surfing, Outlands, Mirror Kisses, Bewilderbeast and the new Tragedy album. I also love the second Crystal Castles album. I think it's a perfect record.
TD: What's the first concert that you ever attended and first album that you ever bought?
CS: The Get Up Kids and The Kill Holiday at Stalag 13 about 14 or 15 years ago. There were a few fights, and I almost got hit with a random beer bottle. It was a pretty great time. First album I ever bought was NIN’s Pretty Hate Machine.
TD: What do you love about Philly?
CS: The ominous graffiti covered old factories scattered throughout the city are a tremendous source of inspiration.
TD: What do you hate about Philly?
CS: Not much – I love Philly and think living here is very integral to my music. Skeleton Lipstick is the soundtrack to my life here. If I had to pick something I hate, I guess it would be real estate agents who call Eraserhood – The Loft District.
TD: What are your plans for 2012?
CS: Get people to listen to Skeleton Lipsticks full-length coming out July 4th on AIRLINES tapes. (It’s very good! Check it out!) Play more live shows, spend quality time with my wife and dog, and be an exemplary oral surgery resident.
TD: What was your most memorable live show?
CS: Skeleton Lipstick is only a month old so there's not too much to draw from. I did play a show outside in Delaware once with my best friend Ryan where a drunk old man characterized our set as "spaceship music."
TD: What's your favorite thing to get at the deli?
CS: Cheese.
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