“Listen while you read”
When you think of emo music, ukulele probably isn’t the first instrument that comes to mind. But for Skull Kid, that unlikely pairing became the foundation for something raw, honest, and deeply personal. Born out of isolation and emotional upheaval, this El Paso duo is redefining what it means to make music from the heart. With the release of their new album, Night Owl, we got the opportunity to dive deep into Skull Kid’s history, sound & future!
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Where It All Began
The story starts in 2022, when Julian wrote his first song, “Love is a Pain.” “I was going through an emotional rollercoaster ride back in 2022, and that’s when it hit me,” he shares. Emo music had always been a part of his life, and he wanted to create something that spoke to the universal experience of heartbreak and resilience. During the pandemic, stuck at home in Juarez, Julian picked up a ukulele, a decision sparked by family time, YouTube covers, and a love for Elvis Presley’s “Falling in Love.”
Meanwhile, Jay was no stranger to Julian’s musical journey. “Julian and I go way back,” Jay explains. The two had played together in bands like Henry Melville and Potpurri since the mid-2010s. When the pandemic hit, gigs stopped, and life pulled them in different directions. But in 2022, Julian reached out, ukulele in hand, and asked Jay to join him. “The songs were born out of necessity,” Jay says. “We were both going through a crisis, and these songs came from a similar place.”
The Sound of Skull Kid
Skull Kid’s music is a blend of emo vulnerability and bedroom pop intimacy, anchored by ukulele and acoustic guitar. It’s an unorthodox combination, but it works because it’s authentic. “I tend to think about those memories when my thought process begins,” Julian says. “I also tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, but for good reasons. Once I feel something producing in my head, that’s when I know a song is coming.”
Jay adds, “Our influences are mutual, being a lot of 2000’s pop punk, post-hardcore, and emo. So we know what will or won’t work for certain songs.” That shared vision gives Skull Kid’s music a sense of cohesion, even as it experiments with unconventional textures.
Challenges and Growth
Like many independent artists, Skull Kid has faced its share of obstacles. Forming a full band hasn’t been easy, but the duo remains committed to pushing forward. “It truly showed us that we came in knowing we aren’t getting younger, but we want to grow strong with this project,” Julian reflects. With Jay’s talents in music and recording and Julian’s drive to write songs that resonate, Skull Kid is determined to keep evolving—even if it means staying a duo for now.
Looking Ahead
The future for Skull Kid is wide open. “We hope these songs resonate with others just as much as they have with us,” Jay says. And with recent collaborations and the success of projects like Night Owl, the duo is ready to bring new experiences to the table. For Skull Kid, it’s not about chasing trends; it’s about creating music that feels real, even if it breaks the rules.
Our Take
John: I’ve known Julian and Jay for a little over 10 years now: sharing the stage through our respective bands, working with them in the studio, and overall as good friends. Seeing a different take from these guys is so refreshing and unique. We had a chance of working with them for a Live from Let Down session was so cool and a great experience. They were in makeup, and they knew exactly what they wanted. They have such catchy songs, and I will find myself humming their melodies or little tunes here and there! It’s always such an awesome feeling to see good friends putting out amazing work. Be sure to check out their new album “Night Owl” out now!
Hex: I remember mixing their live performance and really connecting with their song, “The End of the Road” (performance below ⬇️⬇️⬇️). Julian has a way of crafting lyrics that hit home for everyone. When I was asked to mix their album, I was beyond excited. I can even recall getting a little emotional while mixing, which rarely happens. You can tell Julian and Jay are pouring their hearts into this project, and that’s something I truly respect. With their unique approach to music creation, they are definitely onto something special, and I can’t wait for them to blow up!
Check out their live performance at Let Down Studio!
