"Most musicians I know generally pay to work"— Sky Ferreira says she cannot afford to re-record her music like Taylor Swift

Sky Ferreira, known for her distinct fusion of pop and alternative music, recently shared insights about the financial struggles musicians face, contrasting her situation with Taylor Swift's.

In an exclusive interview with Vogue on December 2, 2024, Ferreira discussed the challenges of re-recording music independently and detailed her recent experience of contributing an original song, Leash, to the soundtrack of A24's upcoming film, Babygirl. Sky Ferreira remarked:

"People keep telling me I should just re-record the songs and it’s like, yeah, Taylor Swift can do that because she’s a billionaire, but I basically put all the money I’ve ever made as an artist back into making music. I think most musicians I know generally pay to work."

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Sky Ferreira's return and her collaboration with A24

Sky Ferreira revealed in her Vogue interview that she was preparing for a sold-out performance at the Sydney Opera House when she received an email from filmmaker Halina Reijn, known for her work on Bodies Bodies Bodies. Though initially skeptical due to frequent scams, Ferreira eventually connected with Reijn, who envisioned her music as a perfect fit for Babygirl, an upcoming psychological drama.

The film, starring Nicole Kidman, explores themes of female desire and power dynamics, aligning with Ferreira’s signature sound and artistic ethos.

Sky Ferreira's song Leash, co-produced with Jorge Elbrecht, complements the film’s narrative. Described as assertive and emotionally charged, it builds on the industrial synths and gritty guitars of her previous work. The song marks Ferreira's first release since parting ways with Capitol Records in late 2023, following a tumultuous decade-long relationship that stifled her creative output.

Ferreira’s issues with Capitol Records are well-documented. Despite critical acclaim for her debut album, Night Time, My Time (2013), the label reportedly ceased funding recording sessions, forcing Ferreira to finance her music through modeling work, as per Pitchfork.

The album eventually became a critical success, but subsequent projects faced repeated delays. Singles like Don’t Forget and Downhill Lullaby were intended for her long-awaited sophomore album, Masochism, originally slated for a 2015 release but still remains unreleased.

Reflecting on her struggles, Ferreira told Vogue:

"They [Capitol Records] kept me from putting out new music for 10 years as a way of making me look like I’m incapable of it."

Now free from her contract, Ferreira is charting a new course as an independent artist. While the process involves its own set of challenges—such as reclaiming rights to her previously recorded music—Ferreira expressed excitement about this new phase. After releasing Leash, she plans to self-release another song in early 2025 and has hinted at more projects in the works.

She is also preparing for a series of live performances celebrating the anniversary of Night Time, My Time. Ferreira’s collaboration with A24 has been a significant milestone, allowing her to combine her love of music and film. "I’ve always wanted to make music for films," she told Vogue, describing how she drew inspiration from Babygirl's storyline and visuals.

Sky Ferreira's upcoming single Leash is set to mark her long-anticipated return after years of delays and disputes with Capitol Records. Fans have rallied around her with the "Free Sky Ferreira" movement, highlighting these struggles with visible campaigns, including billboards and plane banners over Capitol Records' headquarters.

Her latest single, Leash, reflects Ferreira's creativity and is part of her forthcoming album Masochism, a project she has been teasing since 2015.