In 2003 I was at a crossroads. I was in school for a career I had no real interest in.
What I was truly passionate about was working in the music business.
Over those Christmas holidays I was back in my hometown meeting up with a bunch of friends at a pub when my friend Sarah introduced me to her husband Nick who was a drummer in a band called The Miniatures.
With one conversation Nick opened a door by introducing me to their manager Paul who put me to work at the bands record label, MapleMusic Recordings which would become my home for almost a decade.
For a few years I got to work closely with Nick and Ian from the band and learn the management business from the ground up. I’m forever grateful to these guys for opening a door and giving me opportunity and possibility to prove myself.
Nick is one of my favourite people I’ve ever got to work with in the music biz. Incredibly talented, creative, big hearted and a blast to have a few beers and conversation with.
We caught up for a coffee a few weeks ago and to hear about all the things he is doing now as an artist, write, producer and real estate entrepreneur is really inspiring.
I’m honored to have Nick put playlist together. Here’s more about his playlist in his own words.
Enjoy.
A Sunday Morning Playlist - My Bowie - Nick Skalkos
In 2016, on his 69th birthday, David Bowie released Blackstar.
It is one of his most eclectic and daring releases by Bowie to date.
It was strange, beautiful, provocative and very current. It caught me off guard immediately.
Three short days later David Bowie passed away from complications due to cancer and everything soon became clear. He turned his death into an art piece. The lyrics had new meaning and it was quite evident that he knew he was dying. Although I had always considered myself a fan of Bowie I had never been as captivated as I was at the time of his death and decided to go deep into his catalog starting from the beginning.
I read every article and studied every album. It wasn’t long before I discovered that Bowie had many faces. Not only was there the Ziggy, Diamond Dogs, Major Tom Bowie that everyone knows and loves, but there was also the industrial, candle light dinner, new wave, art deco, jazz, spooky, condescending, appreciative and collected Bowie that very few of us know.
I quickly realized that his work is a giant puzzle that I can configure and customize to my own liking. The amount of amazing songs to choose from is epic! I realized I can just readjust the pieces and voila, I’ve Frankensteined a Bowie I had no idea existed. It was an amazing and worthwhile journey I will not forget.
This playlist is a collection of Bowie songs that initially surprised me and captivated me. I hope this playlist appeals to someone out there who is willing to be surprised as I was and my hope is to share a side of David Bowie you may or may not have known existed.
