Let's Hear it for the Skinny Boy.
Singer/Songwriter Myylo releases new Body Positive Anthem
Skinny Boys is a body positivity anthem made for the boys who don't have and don't need to have Thor's abs, Bat Man's pecs, or Aquaman's shoulders to love themselves. Self-love has been a part of the cultural zeitgeist for some time with artists like Lizzo and Beyoncé urging women to love their flawless selves. Skinny Boys follows in this lineage by rejecting the need to create the ideal male body and, instead, to worship the beautiful body you're already in.
Myylo sits at the nexus point of folk lyricism, pop production, and boyish relatability. It is this combo of elements that has won him big brand support like the 2018 Starbucks Holiday campaign and write-ups in major publications like The Gay Times and Attitude Mag as well as top billing on Tidal Rising Playlists. Power players like Mike Posner and Baby Face have made a point to include the artist on writing camps. Most recently, the artist released his EP I'm A Nice Boy and partnered with Sofar Sounds for a 20 date tour across the U.S. and U.K.
Offering some insight into his new single, Myylo explains, “I kept scrolling through these societally perfect boys in my Insta feed and feeling like shit about my body. Trust me, I've racked up hours at the gym and stuffed my stomach full of protein powder trying to bulk up to look like them. 'Skinny Boys' is me saying fuck it to that energy for myself and for anyone who needs the reminder to love their skinny, chunky/bulky, short, fit, not-fit, tall, curvy, whatever-the-f gorgeous body."
He couldn't help but look and now he can't help but speak up for all those feeling the pressure of the body perfect. Being one of our favorite artists here at The Q Review we wanted to know more about 'Skinny Boys' and Myylo's take on body image and music. So we had a chat with our fave skinny boy!
Hey Myylo, thanks for chatting with us. We're big fans of you and your music at Q Review. So first of all we have to say that you're really killing it right now. Congratulations on all the releases this year so far. How have you felt about the reception to the music?
I’ve been feeling great about it! The fact that people are listening at all truly blows my mind.
You've had a fairly busy summer and you've popped up in a number of places during Pride. Is it safe to assume you've had an enjoyable summer? And what was your favorite moment during the Pride season?
That is a very safe assumption. My fave moment this summer was playing Nashville Pride. It was one of my first festival gigs and it was in a city that I love so much. Truly a wild time.
You're on single number 2 of new music since the release of your I'm A Nice Boy EP. Your recent summer smash I Can't Help But Look came first and now you're releasing Skinny Boys. Are we headed towards the eventual release of a new EP or will it be more of a full album this time?
I’m leaning towards another EP! I really love these smaller projects cause there’s so much freedom in them.
Like Skinny Boys talks about, we live in a scrolling 6 pack of abs world. Male body shaming has developed strongly in the past number of years and Skinny Boys deals directly this issue and the topic of body positivity. What's your take on the state of male body image, especially in relation to entertainment and the music industry?
I think boys are bombarded with lots of images of a very specific ideal body type - abs, biceps, the whole shebang. Its important for men to talk about how they feel about their bodies and learn to love themselves the way they are. I’m hoping Skinny Boys can help be a part of that conversation.
Have you yourself felt that direct or perceived body shame in your life and if so, how have you dealt with it?
Oh yeah all the time. Every time I scroll through Instagram or hit the beach I compare myself to other men’s bodies. I mostly deal with it by pushing that feeling away and reminding myself of all the things I fuqqin love about my bod.
Myylo sits at the nexus point of folk lyricism, pop production, and boyish relatability. It is this combo of elements that has won him big brand support like the 2018 Starbucks Holiday campaign and write-ups in major publications like The Gay Times and Attitude Mag as well as top billing on Tidal Rising Playlists. Power players like Mike Posner and Baby Face have made a point to include the artist on writing camps. Most recently, the artist released his EP I'm A Nice Boy and partnered with Sofar Sounds for a 20 date tour across the U.S. and U.K.
Offering some insight into his new single, Myylo explains, “I kept scrolling through these societally perfect boys in my Insta feed and feeling like shit about my body. Trust me, I've racked up hours at the gym and stuffed my stomach full of protein powder trying to bulk up to look like them. 'Skinny Boys' is me saying fuck it to that energy for myself and for anyone who needs the reminder to love their skinny, chunky/bulky, short, fit, not-fit, tall, curvy, whatever-the-f gorgeous body."
He couldn't help but look and now he can't help but speak up for all those feeling the pressure of the body perfect. Being one of our favorite artists here at The Q Review we wanted to know more about 'Skinny Boys' and Myylo's take on body image and music. So we had a chat with our fave skinny boy!
Hey Myylo, thanks for chatting with us. We're big fans of you and your music at Q Review. So first of all we have to say that you're really killing it right now. Congratulations on all the releases this year so far. How have you felt about the reception to the music?
I’ve been feeling great about it! The fact that people are listening at all truly blows my mind.
You've had a fairly busy summer and you've popped up in a number of places during Pride. Is it safe to assume you've had an enjoyable summer? And what was your favorite moment during the Pride season?
That is a very safe assumption. My fave moment this summer was playing Nashville Pride. It was one of my first festival gigs and it was in a city that I love so much. Truly a wild time.
You're on single number 2 of new music since the release of your I'm A Nice Boy EP. Your recent summer smash I Can't Help But Look came first and now you're releasing Skinny Boys. Are we headed towards the eventual release of a new EP or will it be more of a full album this time?
I’m leaning towards another EP! I really love these smaller projects cause there’s so much freedom in them.
Like Skinny Boys talks about, we live in a scrolling 6 pack of abs world. Male body shaming has developed strongly in the past number of years and Skinny Boys deals directly this issue and the topic of body positivity. What's your take on the state of male body image, especially in relation to entertainment and the music industry?
I think boys are bombarded with lots of images of a very specific ideal body type - abs, biceps, the whole shebang. Its important for men to talk about how they feel about their bodies and learn to love themselves the way they are. I’m hoping Skinny Boys can help be a part of that conversation.
Have you yourself felt that direct or perceived body shame in your life and if so, how have you dealt with it?
Oh yeah all the time. Every time I scroll through Instagram or hit the beach I compare myself to other men’s bodies. I mostly deal with it by pushing that feeling away and reminding myself of all the things I fuqqin love about my bod.
Some music artists have used their instagram channel to showcase their less musical attributes. It may be assumed that the less clothing may equate to higher likes, follows, engagements etc. and as a by-product, hopefully more fans listening to, sharing and buying the music. It also impacts us mentally as oftentimes the rising number of likes etc. provide a type of validation to the individual which is very dangerous for healthy self perception. As an artist how do you mentally and emotionally keep yourself from being affected by that type of presence in music?
I mean there’s types of that presence that I really dig. I think Megan Thee Stallion and Lizzo do a great job of engaging with their bodies that makes me love my body more. Same thing with Sam Smith. There’s ways to use your body to uplift other people to love their own bodies and I fully support that. I try and make sure that my social feeds have positive imagery like that which keeps me inspired.
Skinny Boys as a song is both uplifting and an empowering anthem that we need out there. When you were writing it, did you set out to specifically write with the message in mind or did it just develop as the process went along?
I had the title “Skinny Boys” in my notes for a while. I’d been thinking on all the times I had scrolled through Instagram and saw these unobtainable bodies. When I waked into the Skinny Boys session I was intent on creating a song that spoke to that issue.
With body shaming, it feels like we're in a "going to get worse before it gets better" scenario. What do you think are the biggest impacts and hurdles standing in the way of body positivity?
I actually think we’re moving in a positive direction. By creating songs like “Juice” and “Tempo,” Lizzo’s leading this body positivity wave that is making people love themselves. I credit her message of self-love with inspiring me to tackle the subject. Because she opened that conversation, it lets the rest of us reconsider how we see ourselves.
FYI: With such a strong message if you decide to get into any "Show Love for the Skinny/Chunky Boy" merch I will have my order in immediately!
Haha that's good to know!
I mean there’s types of that presence that I really dig. I think Megan Thee Stallion and Lizzo do a great job of engaging with their bodies that makes me love my body more. Same thing with Sam Smith. There’s ways to use your body to uplift other people to love their own bodies and I fully support that. I try and make sure that my social feeds have positive imagery like that which keeps me inspired.
Skinny Boys as a song is both uplifting and an empowering anthem that we need out there. When you were writing it, did you set out to specifically write with the message in mind or did it just develop as the process went along?
I had the title “Skinny Boys” in my notes for a while. I’d been thinking on all the times I had scrolled through Instagram and saw these unobtainable bodies. When I waked into the Skinny Boys session I was intent on creating a song that spoke to that issue.
With body shaming, it feels like we're in a "going to get worse before it gets better" scenario. What do you think are the biggest impacts and hurdles standing in the way of body positivity?
I actually think we’re moving in a positive direction. By creating songs like “Juice” and “Tempo,” Lizzo’s leading this body positivity wave that is making people love themselves. I credit her message of self-love with inspiring me to tackle the subject. Because she opened that conversation, it lets the rest of us reconsider how we see ourselves.
FYI: With such a strong message if you decide to get into any "Show Love for the Skinny/Chunky Boy" merch I will have my order in immediately!
Haha that's good to know!
Having been busy playing a lot of live shows recently, what's been the most surprising thing you've discovered from your ever growing fan base?
Every person I meet is someone I’d be friends with.
What does the rest of the year look like for you in terms of live performances and releases?
I’m hoping for a few more singles and perhaps another tour! Stay tuned.
You've been out in LA recently and have connected with some of the artists out there as well as fellow Nashvillian Jordy. Might we be seeing any collaborations in the future?
Haha Jordy is actually a Chi-town bb. Time will tell on the collab Stay tuned.
*We stand corrected on the locale of artist Jordy!
Every person I meet is someone I’d be friends with.
What does the rest of the year look like for you in terms of live performances and releases?
I’m hoping for a few more singles and perhaps another tour! Stay tuned.
You've been out in LA recently and have connected with some of the artists out there as well as fellow Nashvillian Jordy. Might we be seeing any collaborations in the future?
Haha Jordy is actually a Chi-town bb. Time will tell on the collab Stay tuned.
*We stand corrected on the locale of artist Jordy!
Ok Myylo, at Q Review we like to as a few fun questions to get to know you a little better, so here we go...
Most embarrassing moment on stage?
My first concert in college when my voice cracked in front of like 100 people. It wasn’t hot.
If you were to cover a personal favorite song what would it be?
Right now it would be “Be Careful” by Cardi B.
Favorite cartoon character?
Katara from Avatar the Last Airbender.
Favorite rainy afternoon movie?
500 Days of Summer
If you could only have one dessert for the rest of your life what would it be?
Dark Chocolate ice cream
Finally, what's one last thing you would like everyone to know about you?
I think kindness is everything.