Things have been going well for Ocean Beach singer-songwriter Skyler Lutes. Perenially on the road, Lutes returns to San Diego for a CD release show at the PB Cantina on Monday, Feb. 15, celebrating his new album, “After the Rain.” The past few months have seen the producer/musician widen his horizons with increased production at his home studio for artists ranging from reggae favorites Through the Roots to indie rockers Falling Doves, with whom he will be touring Europe this fall. “The tour fell into place naturally,” Lutes said. “I’ve been helping Doves frontman Chris Leyva with his new album. We get along so well; it’s a good fit and something I’m really looking forward to.”
While Lutes is a prolific writer, no one will have heard anything from the new album until the actual release show. “I’ve kept this a complete secret for a year,” he said. “I haven’t played any of these songs, which were written all over the U.S. and South America while on tour, outside of my room.” His reasons are succinct. “I see everyone going to open mics and so on to play new material, but I wanted to unveil everything at once, give it to everyone in bulk,” Lutes remarked. Music fans will want to stick around post CD release set, as Lutes has a special open mic directly after his performance. “I wanted to do something a little different, so after I play, I plan on inviting a half dozen of my musical friends to play a few songs, open mic style. It’ll be eclectic and a lot of fun.”
For this album, his influences include “a lot more reggae,” he said. “I’ve been working quite a bit with the band Through the Roots, and they’ve been a big influence.” While he is thrilled that his production work has increased, he notes he gives the edge to playing his own music. “I actually got started (in) production so I could record my own music, but I just love music in general, so it’s worked out. Music is all I do. I try to play every night I can.” Until recently, Lutes’ focus at his shows has been on original music. “I’ve been doing a lot more dinner shows and that sort of thing,” he says, “and that sort of audience likes to hear some familiar tunes in there, so I’ve started including as wide a range of songs as possible.” He does not see a negative side to playing covers. “It’s a great learning tool,” he explains, “and it’s fun to adapt songs to your own style.” He cites the Beatles’ “Come Together” as a particular crowd- pleaser, and it’s also notable that he covers locals, including a Through The Roots song, “The Weekend.” “I do a lot reggae rock,” he says, “songs by groups like Iration, and those songs are also really popular.”
While he is spending increasing time on the road, with shows in Utah and Nevada in the coming weeks, he plans to continue with Ocean Beach as his home base. “I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” he said. ” I love the OB scene; it’s been great. Honestly, it was one of the best places to grow up because there is a lot of talent to pull from. There is a lot of inspiration.” An avid surfer and skater, he’s made many connections this way. “A lot of musicians I first met came up through that scene, so there is a lot of crossover,” he remarked.
Lutes is hopeful his new album will be the one to take him and his music to the next level, but in the meantime, he’s enjoying himself. “Music has been great to me. It’s all I do, producing, writing and playing,” he explained. “I especially love the traveling and the playing a stage every night. Being able to do something fun during the day, and my job is playing at night? It doesn’t get any better.” A Tragic Loss San Diego lost a major talent on Jan. 31 with the passing of drummer Nicki Carano (above). Carano was killed when a falling tree hit her car as she drove down Ingraham Street near Crown Point on the way to a gig. A highly respected musician, actor, teacher and dancer who taught at the Academy of Performing Arts, Carano touched many lives with her music, which included stints with TIR NO NOG, Christopher Dale, The Camel Tones, In My Humble Opinion, Nectarine, Haute Flash, 3DVA and Radio Rage.