A Conversation With Scxtty

Last month, Songbird had the privilege of chatting with local New Jersey musician, Scott Buksbaum, known by his stage name, Scxtty. Preschool music teacher by day and rockstar by night, we were able to get a glimpse into what it takes to manage multiple careers and still produce incredible music! 

Songbird: Hi! Could we start by having you introduce yourself?

Scxtty: My name is Scotty, I’m twenty-five, and I’m originally from Demarest, New Jersey, but I went to school at Monmouth University for four years. Then I went to Montclair State University, and now I’m living in New York. 

Songbird: Awesome! What program did you do at Monmouth and how did you like it?

Scxtty: I graduated from their Music Industry program. It was… okay. You meet a lot of people there, and that’s the main reason to go. 

Songbird: How long have you been making music? How did you get into it? Any specific influences, or did you grow up with music?

Scxtty: I have been making music since I was sixteen, and I started my solo project, Scxtty, when I was a senior in college, so three years ago. My dad is a musician, and he always played the guitar. He would download songs onto my iPod, and it was stuff like early Panic! at the Disco. When I was sixteen, I went to my first concert—it was an All Time Low concert, and that changed my entire mind. I decided, this is what I’m doing. It’s the coolest thing ever.

Songbird: What’s your favorite venue you’ve played?

Scxtty: I would say the House of Independents in Asbury Park. I played there in college with my band, Malibu, and it was everything you would want at a venue. The audience is so close to you, and it feels very intimate, but also like a big space!

Songbird: How would you describe your songwriting process? Where do you draw most of your inspiration for your lyrics from?

Scxtty: It’s very singer-songwriter-y, lyric-based, if that makes sense. Usually when I start, there’s no instruments, it’s just lyrics and a melody. After the fact, I’ll go in and figure out what chords go with the melody. I focus on the message and lyrics, because that’s how I listen to music.

My inspiration definitely comes from the experiences I’ve been through. I use it as a therapeutic tool to cope with things I’m going through. Instead of making music that I want people to connect to, it’s really that I’m connecting with people. 

Songbird: Do you have any favorite artists that you get inspiration from? Do you think you get inspiration from when you were in your band, Malibu?

Scxtty: Right now, my whole music genre is pretty much changing from wannabe pop-punk to indie pop. It’s a lot of artists like Chelsea Cutler, Jeremy Zucker, Alexander 23—that whole world of solo artists. As for Malibu, I think that soundwise, it’s totally different, but lyrically it’s very similar. I definitely do callbacks to Malibu songs in my own music.

Songbird: Do you think starting in the New Jersey music scene has helped set a foundation for you in the industry? 

Scxtty: Definitely. I use TikTok for most of my promotion, and I’ll post about a show I have coming up in New Jersey. There’s only so many venues in New Jersey so it connects to people. I’ll always have people I don’t know coming to a show just to check it out. I can’t say the same about New York, because there’s a lot of bands and venues, so I’m lucky to have that connection.

Songbird: Do you have any plans to move out to New York City in the future?

Scxtty: Yes, in two months, actually! The studio I record at is in New York, so it will be much easier. When I was in Malibu, we played venues there as well so I have experience with that. I’m not too worried about competition with the music genre I want to be in, but I see it more as being able to work with people in the genre. I don’t want my music to just be New York-focused, though. I want it to be all across the country!

Songbird: I saw that you’re a preschool teacher, so I was wondering how you balance your day job with performing?

Scxtty: Oh, God [laughs]. I don’t know how. I do preschool Mommy and Me classes, and I’m also getting my Masters in Music Therapy, so I’m interning in preschool to high school. With music, it’s three jobs I’m balancing. It’s very difficult to manage. I look at the set days that I have work, and if I can, I’ll try to fit in a show. But if a show comes up, I’ll call out of work because that’s my priority. When my internship ends, and I move to the city, things will open up a lot more, musically. 

Songbird: Where do you see yourself five years from now? What are your ultimate musical goals?

Scxtty: Hopefully, five years from now, I’m an established musician, on tour somewhere! Realistically speaking, I hope to have a small-to-medium fanbase of my music. I have a lot of ideas and goals for my music!

Songbird: Has using TikTok made it easier for you to get your voice out there?

Scxtty: It’s made it easier, but also more difficult in a way. Easier to get my work out there, but more difficult for my mental state! There’s so many musicians on the same app, doing the same thing, and not seeing any progress. But when you see someone who has gained traction and made progress, you think, that could be me. It’s important to not compare yourself to anyone else, but it’s definitely good for promotion, which is important. Even if I get one comment from a stranger saying that they like my stuff, it makes my day! It makes me think I’m doing something right. It’s definitely important to keep your motivation up. 

Songbird: What instruments do you play other than guitar?

Scxtty: Bass guitar is my main instrument, but I also play guitar, ukulele, piano, and drums. I taught myself all of them, but I took a few bass lessons and one piano lesson. 

Songbird: What do you think is the hardest part about breaking into the industry?

Scxtty: I would say finding your sound. It’s very difficult to stand out, if your music sounds like everyone else’s, it’s harder to click as much. Finding your own sound is very important but difficult. Also, you really need to make connections to get into the industry. I’m very lucky to have been in the music scene for a very long time where I have a lot of connections. For making connections, if college is an option, definitely follow that path. I wouldn’t have the connections I have if I didn’t go to college and make connections with the people I did. 100% use social media as well, DM people, because most people want to make connections as well. 

Songbird: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today! Is there anything you want to add to share with readers? 

Scxtty: I have a new song coming out in July, so definitely check it out!

Scxtty’s new song, Summer Doesn’t Feel Right Without You, is releasing on July 12th! Pre-save it here.