English musician Will Dorey’s studio project, Skinshape, is a genre-blending journey through time, fusing elements of funk, soul, reggae, and psychedelic rock into a nostalgic yet fresh sound. Influenced heavily by the textures and tones of the 1960s and ’70s, Skinshape has drawn in a global audience, racking up hundreds of millions of streams. Fresh off a European tour, we caught up with Dorey to learn more about his path as an artist.
Skinshape has a distinct vintage vibe. How did the project originally come to life?
It all started when I was sixteen. I came up with the name Skinshape and began uploading my early tracks to SoundCloud for people to listen to freely. Over time, my music caught the attention of a Greek label, which ended up releasing my debut album.
Any advice for artists starting independently?
Never feel like you need a manager in the beginning—I’ve never had one, and I believe that’s been the right move. Only sign with a label if they offer a 50/50 profit share, and always read the contracts thoroughly. Never give away your rights for more than 10 years, regardless of how tempting the deal seems. If you know what you’re doing, releasing independently is a great option. Also, make sure your publishing is in order—get your music registered with PRS/MCPS or whatever platform applies to you. And above all, just keep creating. Don’t stop.
You’ve recently played a run of sold-out European shows. Which performance stands out the most?
The European dates were incredible, but I’d say the most unforgettable show so far was in Los Angeles. It was our first official live performance back in October 2024, and the energy from the crowd was unreal. It was a magical night.
