Today we’d like to introduce you to Sky Zito.
Hi Sky, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have loved music for as long as I can remember! It’s always been my passion! I dabbled with learning to play an instrument as young as five years old but the age of twelve is when I really got serious about becoming a professional musician. By the time I was 16 I was playing professionally and teaching lessons as a guitarist in the Boston area. I was accepted to take classes at Berklee College of Music and had amazing teachers and mentors on the instruments of guitar, drums, bass as well as vocals. I performed solo as well as with many bands with both covers and originals.
I moved to LA in late 2006 with the goal of getting a record deal. I ended up getting a deal with an independent label named Crater Rock Records and my first album named “My Kind of Pretty” was released in early 2008.
Around this same time is when I decided to move to Austin to be in the “Live Music Capital of the World”! I continued writing original music, teaching music lessons and began performing a one man rock show called “The Sky Zito Solo Experience”. For this project I went into the studio to record in both audio and video on drums and bass. I then had the drum and bass performances projected onto a screen while I played guitar and sang live. The original songs led to a new record deal with Crater Rock Records in which three albums were released. “Kicking Up a Swank Sinsation” is a hard rock with vocals album, “Luv & Tears Acoustified” is an acoustic pop / rock album. & “Black Flame Groovescape” is an instrumental rock album.
I realized that not only could I write music but I could also teach others how to write music. I wrote a book entitled “Infinite Creation: A Guitarists Gateway to Songwriting”.
In addition to continuing my private lesson practice I began working with bands in the Austin area as a band coach as well as production which includes everything from songwriting to recording to stage show preparation! I teach weekly private lessons on the instruments of guitar, drums, bass and vocals. I have a studio in Northwest Austin and also offer in home lessons in the greater Austin area as well as virtual lessons everywhere!
Live performance has continued to be an important part of my life! I currently perform around 75 shows a year mostly in the greater Austin. I often perform as a solo acoustic artist in which I haves very large repertoire of cover songs a well as originals. I also perform with “The Sky Zito Band” which is a rock trio rooted in classic rock but spanning many decades and genres!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Rarely is anything easy! Persistence is so important!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a multi instrumentalist with includes the instruments of guitar, drums, bass and vocals. I am a performer as well as music educator. I am a songwriter and recording artist. In addition to my original recordings I also works on other artists projects.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
At first glance many people assume that I am a rock musician. That is in fact true but I can also play many different styles / genres of music. For example I love playing jazz drums!
Pricing:
- Trial lesson is just $35
- Monthly lessons start at $150
- Live performance rates vary but are generally priced at $100 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SkyZitoMusic.com
- Instagram: /skyzito
- Facebook: /skyzito
Image Credits
Seven Pillars photography – Michael Wright – (photo shoot photos)
Keith Williams – (Acoustic pic on logs)
Alyssa Onyx – Head Shot
