Who: Skiving
Art Rock
Skiving (fka Human Resources) is the art rock post-office organisation currently restructuring London’s musical identity. Contrasting the sterile aesthetics and jargon of the workplace with their chaotic and exuberant music, the quintet aims to play the nuances of surreal social commentary against a backdrop of musical exploration to construct their immersive lyrical landscapes. It is the project of Harry Handford, Matt Baker (Modern Woman, The Wheel 2!), Juan Brint-Gutierrez (Modern Woman), Colin Olive and Leo Dutton. Formed in 2021, the quintet has developed a distinctive aesthetic performing in “schlubby middle-management office attire,” turning corporate mundanity into sharp artistic commentary. Their debut album “The Family Computer” explores themes of wistfulness and nostalgia through their signature “prog-punk” sound, with influences ranging from Fugazi to Neu! Their live performances are described as “raucous, energetic, sweaty, and fun,” having shared stages with Do Nothing, The Last Dinner Party, Lice and Yowl.