Just after the release of Oh La La, office was able to sit down with Justine Skye to learn more about the making of the video and everything that this moment means to her. She passionately spoke of the experience noting that, “A lot of love went into making the song and honestly, while I was working on this project I just kept telling myself to have fun.” She went further to say that, “for so long, I felt like I was doing a job and focused on money but I'm doing this because it's my passion. It's also my source of income but I realized I just had to be myself and be authentic. This is the first time in my life where, even though I've been an artist for many, many years, I feel like a true artist. I have the right team around me that believes in me and pushes me. They help me be creative and it's just a beautiful feeling.” Listening to her recount the evolution of this project, her contentment shined through. This song and the joy exuding from it came from moments where that energy was in the room, whether that be from Justine or the talented collaborators around her.
Entering the realm of house music made for an exciting video and she definitely executed. Skye’s allure is undeniable as she dances around the depicted party looking bewitchingly snatched. In regards to this sensual persona she told us that, “I've somewhat grown up in this industry. I started when I was 17 and now that I'm 29 and a woman I understand myself and my sexuality more." Expressing herself as a woman and and all that it entails seems to give Skye this captiviating feminine strenth. In granting her fans access to this phase of Justine, she is taking us along for the ride. Confidently describing this, she disclosed that, "I understand who I want to be and how I want to be represented.”
Watch the full music video below.
ABBY DILLINGHAM - I’m a really big fan of all of your music so I was so excited when I heard that we were going to get a chance to chat. I have some quick questions for you to start. Do you have a favorite body of water in the world?
Oxis - Pacific Ocean because it has the Mariana Trench. It's the lowest point of the ocean at 36,000 feet and it would be so nice to sit at the bottom of it.
Very Percy Jackson. Are there really a million fish in the sea?
They're 30,000.
Actually?
Yeah and all of them have fun Latin or Greek names, so there's so many songs to be made.
Soo many songs to be made.Is there anything that's been sparking your creativity lately?
As soon as I step out into the world and socialize, I have a billion thoughts running through my head. I overthink so I always want to create and I'm always inspired because of that.
Would you live in the ocean if you could?
Yes. Like Spongebob but a little bit more mid-century modern. I would take a little pineapple under the sea. Sounds lovely.
Where do you think the ideal place to listen to your music is?
I would say in your closet with the door closed. Lights off. Headphones. Shitty headphones. Anything with a string.
What's the closest you've ever come to a siren?
Oh, great question. One day when I was backpacking I went 10 miles with this person to a creek and at night I swore I saw a ghost and they could have been a siren. It was terrifying.
Did it say anything to you?
No, but they were wearing all white and it didn't seem normal.
Scary…did the person you were with also see the siren?
No. You only have my word.
[Laughs]So when did Oxis as a musical entity come to you? Would you say that you and Oxis are the same or is it more an extension of you?
Oxis is the most vulnerable part of myself. I had always been called Tuna growing up and Oxis spelled in a different way [Auxis] is the Latin name for a type of Tuna. It felt like something that I had to bring out of myself at some point.
Did you grow up making music?
My dad says I was singing before I could talk. I've always been incredibly drawn to music, and it has metamorphosed so much. I never would have thought I'd be making electronic music.
Did you play any instruments growing up?
Yeah, my first instrument was piano, but I was also in musical theater, jazz band, and I did classical vocal training.
Oh wow. Me too. Do you feel like your classical training has helped you at all when it comes now to making music? Does it come into play at all?
It finally does now. I hated it for so long (the fact that I was trained in such specific ways) because I was always jealous of people that seemed to just naturally find their way around their musical sound without having been trained. Now I realize that I can take these random tools from classical vocal training and put everything into my albums now which is fun.
That gives you an edge for sure. So you've always been making music but when did that electronic Oxis sound start coming into your brain?
In 2023, I felt absolutely void of happiness and drive and I had just been dropped from a major label. I had a few different experiences that made me sad and I just wanted to make something that made me feel good. I didn't listen to too much electronic music but I made what felt like the weirdest thing I could to express the crazy things that I felt inside. That's when Oxis started coming out and I didn't know what to do with it, but my friends started to like it and I had only played it for a couple of people. I wanted it to be secret and special to me for a very long time.
Do you remember the first person you played it for?
He was an ex and he didn't like any of my music until I played him the first song that I made, which was Fish. I mean, it was kind of exciting even though, you know, your partner should support everything that you make [laughs]. It was a bit of a turning point (not to give him too much credit).
The critical ex liked it. Fair enough. You just released a new single, Goldfish. What was the process of making that?
Usually, I don't spend more than a day on each song and I kind of black out when I make it. It's just a regurgitation of something in my head. The process is usually just me sitting on my floor with my laptop and headphones on Ableton.
That’s super quick! I saw some Skins references in the Goldfish music video. Are you a fan of the show?
I’m a massive fan of Skins. I think it was one of those shows that I watched when I was coming into consciousness as a sixteen year old and it hit me so hard. Even now, I'm rewatching it and I can barely stand it because it's so painful and so real. There's so much going on all the time in life today so if you can watch something that makes you feel both nostalgic and opens you up to being emotional and vulnerable, you should. That's what Skins is to me and that's what I think my music is as well.
If you had to be a character from Skins, who would you be?
Well, not to gas myself too much up, but Effie.
Duh! Best character.
She’s great. She has a perfect amount of trauma but also a child-like spontaneity.
What do you relate to in Effie?
She has a lot of anger, but she also finds pockets of peace in nature and in solitude. There’s a lot of nostalgia in your music.
Are you quite a nostalgic person in general?
Yeah, I would say so. I'm extremely sensitive, for sure.
How does that usually come out?
I hold it deep inside and I let it bubble up until I can make music. Aside from that, I would say I like perfection and being emotional is the antithesis of being a perfectionist. That's why I have so much music to make and put out.
From an outside perspective, it feels like visuals play a huge role in your artistry. Can you tell me about how you create all of the visuals and where the inspiration comes from? They are so unique.
Thank you [smiles]. About a year ago, I found this guy SlumberSpeak online. He posted a video of this anthropomorphic light blob thing and I thought it was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen. I messaged him asking how to make it and he told me to watch a tutorial on TouchDesigner and kept sending me more and more tutorials.
During the summer, I stayed inside for months and months and learned how to do creative coding on TouchDesigner. I'm not a very math-driven person so it absolutely killed my brain but I became obsessed. Now I do line and blob tracking mostly which is motion-reactive or audio-reactive coding. I just LOVE it. It's a perfect representation of this sporadic analytical data that maybe is the perfection-seeking part of things mixed with the messiness of an old camera and the way that the lines interact.
How did you get into your sense of fashion? Do you style yourself?
I've always enjoyed coming up with little outfits and I am lucky enough to have a best friend who is my stylist as well. Her name is Lo Gray and she's always been my go-to person for how to make something a little fun or a little edgy and we've always enjoyed shopping and putting together cute outfits.
Yesss, playing dress-up. So fun.
I love playing dress-up.
Me too, honestly. Do you feel like growing up in LA has influenced your sound at all?
Growing up in LA has influenced all the strange emotions that have led to what I'm doing now. I have gotten to see so many incredible bands live. I don't know, everything that I make comes from deep inside myself and feels like the antithesis of everything that I grew up with. It's like my little rebellion to everything that I knew.
What was growing up in LA like for you?
Can’t say I loved it. But maybe I would end up saying that no matter where I grew up. It could just come down to me and my personality and the way that I view the world and feel like I'm too sensitive. Childhood, high school, and whatnot is painful for a lot of people. It was tough at times.
Those years can be so hard and what you’re saying makes total sense. I think LA is definitely a specific animal. When do you feel like you started to come out of those complicated feelings about that time of your life? Or are we still there?
Oh, I think I'm most definitely still there.
Does making music help you find your place in things more?
It helps me because I have one place to put all of my insane feelings. I don't think I'll ever escape the feeling of insanity which is why I want to put out as many albums as possible to find some semblance of peace- but I probably will not find it.
So you're saying that when you're making music in the studio feeling blacked out… the peace comes. Those are the moments of peace?
Yeah, which is why I like to make music by myself. I've never done therapy and I've never felt capable of showing my true self to most people. The only time I feel like my true form is at my computer.
Are there any musicians that inspired your sound at all when you were creating it?
Well, when I started making it I didn't know where the sound was coming from and I didn't have the perfect references. But then people started bringing things to me and I was able to create an even more tightly wound sonic world. I like artists like Stromae, Sam Gellaitry, Saya Gray, Mid-Air Thief.
Mid-Air Thief is anonymous and never shows his face, so at first I wanted to be completely anonymous because I thought that was the coolest thing in the world.
What made you not want to be anonymous anymore?
Everyone around me was telling me to take my mask off. I crocheted this mask and I thought that I couldn't show my face. I wanted to keep everything a safe and cozy secret but when every single person in your life tells you the same thing, there ought to be some weight in it. The first video that I posted which didn't have a mask went viral. I felt very exposed, but I'm glad I listened to them.
Do you like your little internet community?
Yes! I love it! It's so comforting to have so many sweet things said and to have so much support. I get overwhelmed in a good way when I look at it.
How do you feel like this album is different from the other ones so far?
It’s more high energy and tightly wound production-wise. There's a bit more singing and I'm hiding my vocals less.
That's exciting. Is there one song on the album that you're particularly excited about?
Pike is a song that came out so quickly and so strangely that I can't wait for people to hear.
Did you make the album art for the new album?
No, I like to find pictures of tiny fish on Google. It's a very, very tiny fish. I'm trying to find the tiniest fish possible for each album cover because part of it is just being a tiny fish in the big sea. That's what a lot of us feel like.
Well I can’t wait to get a sneak peak. I loved getting to learn a little bit more about your music and your story.
Thank you so much. It was so lovely talking to you.
Oxis 7 is available to listen on all streaming platforms starting June 6, pre-save the album here.
CORTISA wears JACKET by LOEWE, PANTS by LOEWE, JEWELRY by MARTINE ALI, SHOES by DAVID KOMA.
I met Cortisa on a Wednesday morning. She was sat at the glam chair trying on wigs without any makeup on. Star’s freckle-filled face was bright and warm, her attitude kind and easy-going. The moment I faced my camera towards her, I couldn’t take it off. I was struck by the delicacy of her character, both gentle and attentive, yet fueled by something else, something more subconscious — that shot to the surface the moment she knew it was time to perform.
Continue reading for more from the girl who always leaves you wanting more...
LIV SOLOMON— Hello? Can you hear me?
CORTISA STAR— Hello, how are y'all doing?
Hi! Good, how are you?
I'm good. I'm in Delaware.
Oh, no way!
I have to get my passport.
When did you end up leaving New York?
I think I left Sunday, or Monday, and then I went to Atlanta the next day.
Bus, club, another club.
Exactly.
When I first saw you for the shoot you had driven up from Baltimore that morning. I'm curious how the rest of your time in New York was?
It was pretty chill. I kind of just chilled around, did some more interviews. I really don't do too much, honestly.
Well, I got to run into you at the Miu Miu Tales & Tellers exhibition, and saw you were at some Met Gala afters.
[Laughs] Oh… Yeah!
Did you have a favorite look from the Met Gala?
I really loved Janelle's look. She looked crazy good, especially on the stage, because I was right in the front. It was incredible.
So you're from Baltimore, but you grew up in Delaware. I saw in an interview that you moved from Delaware to Baltimore on a whim— at midnight on Halloween, after a trip from New York…
Yes, it was so random. My sister called me and told me to go there, and I just actually went.
Do you feel like the New York trip influenced your decision to move, or was it just your sister calling at random?
My sister calling really cemented it. She told me to move in and I said, “okay.”
Have you noticed a difference in the music you're making since you moved to Baltimore?
Yes. I feel like I've been freer to express myself in Baltimore, and I'm around so many more creatives and people who make music. It's definitely influenced me.
LEFT: CORTISA wears JACKET by BLUE MARINE, SKIRT by KIM SHUI, NECKLACE by MARTINE ALI, SHOES by PARIS TEXAS.
RIGHT: CORTISA wears HOODIE by TELFAR, SKIRT by ISEDER, NECKLACE by MARTINE ALI, BRACELET by VAQUERA, HAT by MARNI, SHOES by GMBH.
You started making music in your room, and now you're working with a variety of people across different cities. What's it been like handing some of your control over?
Honestly, it's awesome. I can only do what my mind creates, and I love to see what other people can do. It's so awesome to see what we can put together.
Limitless! Do you ever still make music on your own?
Yes, I have a little at-home studio set-up.
Do you ever miss the Chromebook?
I miss the Chromebook all the time!
You’ve said that social media was an escape for you growing up in Delaware. Who were some of the first people, or accounts, you discovered that helped you escape?
Growing up online, I really loved Kimya Dawson of The Moldy Peaches. I followed a lot of her music, it's very poetic. It really had me thinking…
Kimya’s approach to songwriting does feel like a different world. Do you feel like your relationship to social media has changed since those days?
Oh, yeah. I'm definitely a bit more distanced to social media. People are crazy.
For real.
They are insane. I don't know. It's twisted on the internet. It gets really cynical.
It's crazy! But it also seems like you have a really strong understanding of yourself. I saw this quote in the interview that you did with NME which I thought was really awesome, "I like logic a lot, and it's just not logical or beneficial for me to be anxious." I thought that was a really cool way to think about it.
You and I bonded over being Cancers on set, and my roommate is also a Cancer Sun, with a Taurus moon. I read that quote to her and she was like, what's Cortisa's moon sign!? Because that feels like a little bit of me. So I was like, I got to ask…
Let me open up my CoStar. I actually have this on deck now. I've been asked this so much. Let's see... My Moon is a Virgo.
Earth moon!
Rising Scorpio.
There's a great balance of crazy and grounded there. Do you feel like there's a public you versus a private you?
Honestly, no. I'm definitely not as crazy as the music I make. I'm pretty reserved IRL. I feel like I act the same online and in my interviews as in person... or I hope so. I pray.
I mean, from what I can say, I contend.
Thank you!
LEFT: CORTISA wears JACKET by LOEWE, PANTS by LOEWE, JEWELRY by MARTINE ALI, SHOES by DAVID KOMA.
RIGHT: CORITSA wears HOODIE by TELFAR, SKIRT by ISEDER, NECKLACE by MARTINE ALI, BRACELET by VAQUERA, SHOES by GMBH.
You've been everywhere since the beginning of the year. You've walked Miu Miu, you released your first EP, E.M.O. (EVIL MOTION OVERLOAD), you’re doing all of these fabulous editorials and interviews. What's kept you grounded since you started taking off?
Honestly, my dog. Every time I'm out, I'm like, I must return home to my dog.
How old is your dog?
He's turning six this year. July 24th. July 24th.
Birthday on hand!
Yes.
I have an elderly cat, and it's the same thing. I'm like, I got to go back to my cat. Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. I just got to go back to him. That's my son.
Yes, my dog is my child.
Did you always know you were going to be a star?
Honestly, no. My friends and family say they always knew, but I never planned any of this. Somebody flipped a rock and my timeline was changed.
Sometimes you've got to just let the universe take you!
It's taken me!
LEFT: CORTISA wears HOODIE by TELFAR, SKIRT by ISEDER, NECKLACE by MARTINE ALI, BRACELET by VAQUERA, HAT by MARNI, BOOTS by GMBH.
RIGHT: CORTISA wears JACKET by BLUEMARINE, SKIRT by KIM SHUI, NECKLACE by MARTINE ALI, HEELS by PARIS TEXAS.
Okay… You were wearing this amazing shirt on set. It was a furry shirt. You mentioned having garnered a lot of support from the furry community, and then this past week you performed at a furry party, right?
It was Furry Week in Atlanta, and I was performing at their rave.
Furry Week? That's iconic.
It was really awesome. My sister drove me 10 hours to Atlanta and 10 hours back just to make it to the show.
What did you do? How do you spend 10 hours in a car?
We just talked. I slept a little bit. I love a road trip.
Getting lost looking out the window.
Exactly.
What would your furry persona be like?
I actually do have a furry persona. It's a pink Canadian lynx with a mean blonde bust down. She's real high fashion. She's chic.
What is she wearing?
She's in full Miu Miu. Trust.
Have music and fashion always been parallel interests of yours? Do you feel like they influence each other?
I have always been very into both. I grew up playing the tuba, I started when I was 10. I loved music. I loved fashion, but it was hard to express myself in Delaware because the people here are crazy.
How does it feel being there now?
Honestly, every time I come here, I feel claustrophobic. But I mean, it's pretty— I like the beach, the farms. It's cute. Something sweet for the kids, I guess.
Right. If you had to make a mixtape to send to somebody that you love, what top three tracks are making the cut?
A song, 'COSMOS' that’s unreleased. I'd probably make a song called 'IN LOVE ASF', because I have the [EVIL and BAD] ASF, and then maybe something corny, I don't know. I never really thought of making love songs.
Would you throw in a song that's not one of yours?
Oh! Let me check my Spotify. That’s a good question… I’d do 'Look Back At Me' by Trina.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? Do you have any specific goals?
I want to have a bunch of land, with donkeys and chickens, and a ranch as far away from civilization as possible.
Where would that be?
Maybe West Virginia? I don't know. There are some cute spots out there.
I love that. Just take care of the animals—
Then pop out of the city every once in a while.
CORTISA wears JACKET by LOEWE, PANTS by LOEWE, JEWELRY by MARTINE ALI, SHOES by DAVID KOMA.
Exactly! Do you feel like there are any big goals you have set for yourself that you've already met?
The Miu Miu FW25 runway was one of my big goals. At the beginning of the year, I wanted to travel and leave the country. I was like, "I want to go to Europe by Spring," and it happened! Thank you, the universe, it happened.
It's the rock thrown into your timeline.
The rock was flipped! The E.P. too, definitely. I wanted to release something like this for a while.
How do you feel having it out in the world for almost two months now?
I feel so happy. It has gotten a pretty good response, and I've gotten good criticism that I'm taking notes on. It makes me excited for everything I'm going to make in the future.
Do you ever struggle with the criticism?
I mean, I take notes! Sometimes people are a little aggressive— they’re just being rude. But if it's genuine criticism and things that I can improve on, I'm always going to open my ears.
One hundred percent. I love that.
Ate that.
