Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
The most fitting word to describe SKORTS is one they created themselves: Incompletement. It also happens to be the name of their debut album. According to the band,“It means allowing oneself to live and create in an ever-changing state of impermanence.”
Emerging from the fiery core of NYC’s underground rock scene, SKORTS compounds the talents of Alli Walls (vocals and guitar), Char Smith (lead guitar), Emma Welch (bass), and Max Berdik (drums). They constantly shed their skin, showing up with electrifying new sounds and pushing the limits of their live performance, never letting their audiences get too familiar with any one form.
Their debut release is an ultimate reflection of SKORTS’ elasticity and the city that fostered it. The rumbling basslines and glamorous vocals on “Eat Your Heart Out” deliver the fire-it-up flair of a Pat Benatar song; meanwhile, tracks like “Anyone” could fill an amphitheater, releasing clenched fists to symphonic layers of synth.
The Alternative spoke to SKORTS about the scene that’s shaped them, lessons in live performance, and soaring Incompletement far past the NYC skyline.
Considering you’ve been named Oh My Rockness’ “Hardest Working NYC Band” and graced some of the city’s most iconic stages, can you indulge us in some of your experiences in NYC’s underground rock scene?
Emma Welch: We’ve gotten to play alongside many great bands. Some that aren’t with us anymore for various reasons, but we’ve got wonderful bodies working hard in Um, Jennifer?, Big Girl, Debbie Dopamine, Mary Shelley, Aggie Miller, Francie Moon, Teaeater, The Thing, Tula Vera, Caitlin Starr…the list goes on. Our Wicked Lady was a big space for us, R.I.P.! I always love shows at Main Drag, Sultan Room and TV Eye. It’s always a wild and chaotic time at The Broadway. It was really special to play a sold-out Bowery Ballroom and then funny to play Bowery Electric in the same week. We got to play an early show at this DIY space called Chaos Computer – I’ll never forget that night…
Char Smith: I’d add Balaclava, Jelly Kelly, Boyscoutmarie and Genre is Death to that list. Them and Aggie Miller are my favorites to watch live. I’ve seen those bands play all kinds of different spaces. They always bring it.
How has NYC, in music culture or beyond, shaped your latest release Incompletement?
EW: It’s hard to quantify or characterize. But, the band formed because we all moved to NYC from different places. Everything about our creation of this album has taken place here, so it’s inseparable in a way. We had to record this album spread out over space and time in 3 different rehearsal spaces. And the grind of the city helped keep the thread of energy going.
Alli Walls: NYC inspires and stirs something deep within, and if you heed the call of creation, you’ll find everything and everyone you need to make something beautiful.
Incompletement has pushed SKORTS out of NYC for a bit and into international waters with a European tour–your longest run on the road to date. How are you feeling after the first few stops?
EW: It’s been wild. It still feels bizarre that we’re getting to play here and that there are people at every show. A lot of these promoters and venues we’ve played in smaller towns have a built-in community around their shows and it’s very cool to see. Our best crowd was in Bern, Switzerland. They were singing along to the guitar riffs, it was insane.
AW: I have an accent now and I think I’m made of cheese, meat, bread and wine.
CS: Europe is very cold right now. I strongly encourage bands to not come here and continue trying to break their band from behind their computer screens. It’s a much more fulfilling experience engaging with the world that way and doing things from your couch.
Is there anything you’ve learned or changed about your performance as you’ve gone along?
EW: It’s constantly evolving. I’ll often discover a stage moment organically and then it becomes a regular part of the show. But, as it continues on, it starts to lose its authentic feeling and I have to let myself abandon it to make room for new organic moments. You never know when they’re going to come though, you have to be focused and patient. I’m always very present to what my body and my voice and instrument and bandmates are saying new to me each show.
AW: Yeah, the live performance is an ever-changing balance of control and letting go. Things I’ve been telling myself lately on stage for better or worse:
- Don’t oversing even if you can’t hear yourself.
- Wear plugs on stage so you don’t hear ringing when trying to sleep.
- Look more at Emma during a set because she’s got great vibes and can help reset you if you start to spiral on a dude yawning or something.
- Don’t think about swallowing spit during that long wordy part because it’s all in your head and it’ll f*ck you up.
- Have fun, this is fun.
What can concertgoers (anywhere in the world) expect to see and feel at a SKORTS show?
EW: That’s for everyone else to say! I just hope that people feel “something,” and then that they want to come to another show.
AW: Expect nothing of us or yourself. Just show up and be open to what the music evokes.
Paint a picture for me of the ultimate SKORTS’ show if you had unlimited resources and budget.
EW: Someone in Switzerland just told us about this festival that takes place in the Alps, surrounded by cows and incredible views. People stay there for a few days and eat lots of cheese and potatoes and drink incredible wine and beer. Something outside in a beautiful remote landscape with all your friends and idols for several days is my dream. I love playing while looking out into something grand.
CS: Maybe just a stage where the drums are on a riser and I can turn my amp past 3. We would probably get that Tupac hologram from Coachella to open up the night with like an hour-and-a-half set. Then, SKORTS can come on and do a tight 45 minutes. If there could be a seafood buffet along the front row of the stage serving traditional clam bake fare, that would be pretty special. Something for the seniors to enjoy, ya know?
Incompletement is out now.
––
Emma Ehrhard
The Alternative is 100% supported by our readers. If you’d like to help us write about more great music and keep our site going, you can become a Patron on Patreon, which also allows you to receive extra content, sweet perks, and The Alternative merch, with levels starting at only $2 per month. Everything helps, and if you can’t afford to donate, consider sharing this article and spreading the word about our site! And if you want The Alternative delivered straight to your inbox every month, sign up for our free newsletter. Either way, thanks for reading!
