EDDIE SKULLER Reveals Tender Tom Waits Tribute with ‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’

Eddie Skuller Shares Heartfelt Tom Waits Cover ‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’

“Skuller embraces the dark and moody but injects the tender promise of hope. Not an easy thing for most singers to pull off.” — Philadelphia Daily News

“Skuller’s lofty tenor is too original to pigeonhole.” — The New York Times

“With his Boy George-meets-Frank Sinatra delivery… creates a cohesive exploration of the profound side of pop despair.” — Philadelphia Enquirer

Jersey City singer-songwriter Eddie Skuller presents ‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’, a moving rendition of one of Tom Waits’ most quietly affecting songs. Revealing a gentler side of Waits’ catalog, the track replaces grit with tenderness and reflection.

Following his cover of ‘Downtown Train’, the song serves as the second release from Skuller’s forthcoming ‘Blind Love’ EP. The project brings an intimate analog approach to Waits’ songwriting, exploring the space between homage and reinvention.

The four-track EP is a personal tribute to Waits, celebrating his unique ability to capture human emotion, character, and melody while finding beauty in unexpected places. With his distinctive vocal delivery, Skuller approaches ‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’ with restraint and emotional intelligence, allowing the song’s depth to emerge naturally.

A Celebrated Performer and Interpreter

Beyond his solo work, Skuller is a perennial guest vocalist with The Losers Lounge, the acclaimed tribute series curated by Psychedelic Furs keyboardist Joe McGinty. The series regularly appears at Joe’s Pub and City Winery in New York City, where Skuller’s performances have earned praise for their authenticity, emotional clarity, and musical integrity.

Recorded Live to Tape

For Blind Love, Skuller partnered with producer Nick Kinsey, known for his work with Kevin Morby, Waxahatchee, and Scott McMicken. Together, they crafted a recording that embraces the spontaneity and imperfections of analog production.

Recorded live in the studio without edits or vocal overdubs, the track preserves the immediacy of the performance. Skuller’s vocals were captured live alongside the band, with contributions from:

Ryder Cooley (Dust Bowl Faeries) – Accordion
Nick Kinsey – Drums & Keyboards
Jack Skuller – Guitars
Jeremy Chatzky (Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, Ronnie Spector) – Bass

“What makes this recording experience unique for me is that it was recorded live in studio to tape. I wanted Nick Kinsey to produce because I was familiar with his aesthetic sensibilities and the warmth that analog recording can provide. The songs became meditative dirges and the lyrics read as pure poetry.” — Eddie Skuller

Skuller highlights one lyric in particular that continues to resonate with him:

“There’s a key line in this song that hooks me every time I hear it: ‘even though you’ve lost your way, the world is dreaming, dreaming of spring.’ Using spring as a symbol of renewal, hope, and a chance to reset, it’s as memorable and moving as any classic jazz-pop standard, including Sinatra’s ‘Young at Heart.'”

An Artful Visual Companion

The accompanying music video emerged from a creative connection sparked on social media. Skuller discovered SPX ETC, founded by artist Sandrine Pagnoux and photographer/editor Sophie Etchart, after encountering Sandrine’s Tom Waits-inspired editorial work for 46pgs Magazine.

“I followed them on Instagram with the thought that I’d someday have the opportunity to work with them.” — Eddie Skuller

Combining collage, illustration, photography, typography, and animation, the video creates a dreamlike visual landscape. Pagnoux developed the artwork using Etchart’s photography, while Etchart assembled and refined the final piece. Manipulated self-portraits of Skuller appear throughout the video, further enhancing its surreal atmosphere.

“The lyrics are pure poetry. Joy, renewal and hope will always return after periods of darkness. Eddie’s emotional cover is magical and full of deep feelings.” — Sandrine Pagnoux

Release Information

As of July 29, ‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’ is available on all major digital platforms, including:

Fans can also find Skuller’s rendition of ‘Downtown Train’ on Bandcamp. The complete ‘Blind Love’ EP is scheduled for release on August 26.

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