For Charleston native Skyler Waddell, fronting The Stono River Project isn't just about making music—it’s about honouring the Lowcountry roots and local community that raised him. Tomorrow, the band officially releases their latest single, "I’m Yours and You’re Mine," a track produced by Hootie & the Blowfish guitarist Mark Bryan and engineered by Mikey Allred at Bryan’s sanctuary-like studio in Awendaw, SC.

Ahead of the release and his celebratory show at Awendaw Green’s Barn Jam, Waddell sat down with Charleston Live Music’s Samantha Meier to talk about collaborating with Mark Bryan, finding grounding in his own lyrics, and how local venues—from the Charleston Pour House to Chico Feo—shaped his sound.

A Sanctuary in Awendaw: Collaborating with Mark Bryan

Recording out in Awendaw right along the river proved to be the ideal setting for The Stono River Project's newest work. For Waddell, working alongside Mark Bryan and engineer Mikey Allred offered a fresh, laid-back studio experience that pushed his songwriting into new territory.

"It’s a beautiful spot right on the river, so it’s fitting," Waddell shares. "It’s much more laid back than anywhere I’ve recorded before. We work by project, spending as much time as the song requires to make it exactly how we want."

Prior to this project, Waddell typically wrote songs independently before tracking them in a studio without outside input. Partnering with Bryan introduced an enriching collaborative dynamic.

"I’ve always written songs and then just gone in to record them, never really having creative collaboration," Waddell explains. "It’s been a great learning experience. Having another set of ears, another perspective, and ideas to bounce off each other really helps the songs grow in a way I couldn't do on my own. On 'I'm Yours and You're Mine,' we actually had different tempos in mind at first, and we ended up meeting right in the middle."

Stage Chemistry Meets Studio Vibe

That effortless studio chemistry reflects the same easygoing energy Waddell experienced when sharing the stage with Mark Bryan at The Windjammer on August 30th. What started as rolling in for soundcheck turned into an unforgettable night of impromptu music-making.

"All those guys on stage are just like Mark—so nice and chill," Waddell recalls. "It was my first time playing there, and they just had me up on stage during soundcheck making jokes. Then right before the show, Mark came into the green room and asked if Ally and I wanted to get up and play a 30-minute opening set! We just got up there, started calling tunes to each other, and did a little impromptu set."

Later in the night, Bryan called Waddell back up during the main performance:

"I was watching the show and wasn't expecting them to call me up when they did! I ran down, they handed me a guitar, and we started playing. Being immediately comfortable creates the best environment to create in, whether it's in the studio or live on stage."

Finding Meaning After the Pen Hits the Paper

Rather than starting with a rigid concept, Waddell approaches songwriting organically—frequently discovering the deeper meaning of a track long after the lyrics are written.

"I don't ever sit down and go, 'Let me write a song about this,'" Waddell says. "It usually starts with a chord progression, a melody, or a strong lyric phrase. A lot of times I’ll look at what I’ve written and figure out what it’s about afterward. I find my own songs relatable after the fact."

For "I’m Yours and You’re Mine," a key line at the end of the chorus serves as a personal anchor for living in the moment:

"At the end of the chorus, I sing, 'Don't gotta worry if we have enough time, because right now I'm yours and you're mine.' In relationships, especially at my age when everyone is trying to figure out their own path, it's natural to worry about the future. That line is a reminder that I don't need to worry about all that right now. It’s a grounding song."

Full-Circle Moments: Awendaw Green & The Local Scene

The single's release party takes place this Friday night at Awendaw Green's iconic Barn Jam—a venue deeply intertwined with Waddell's journey and his introduction to Mark Bryan.

"Eddie White, who runs Awendaw Green, is the man," Waddell says. "He feels like my pseudo-manager at this point. He’s connected me with so many great opportunities, like the Live Under the Oaks series, Barn Jams, and a main stage slot at the Charleston Bluegrass Festival. In fact, Eddie is the one who introduced me to Mark Bryan in the first place!"

The local support system extends across the Lowcountry's most beloved music spaces. Having grown up across the street from The Charleston Pour House, playing its stage fulfilled a childhood dream:

"I used to go watch shows at the Pour House when I was young, dreaming of playing there. The vibe of the Pour House really shaped our band early on—it's a space where we feel totally comfortable jamming out or throwing in a Grateful Dead cover."

Waddell also highlights Folly Beach’s Chico Feo as a formative sanctuary for his growth:

"The Monday Night Soapbox at Chico Feo hosted by George Fox was huge for me. I played there for the first time when I was 16, and I still go back. Those close-to-home local spots mean everything."

What’s Next for The Stono River Project

With "I'm Yours and You're Mine" hitting all streaming platforms tomorrow, Waddell and his bandmates aren't slowing down. They head right back into the studio the morning after their Barn Jam show to continue tracking new material.

Fans can look forward to another single dropping early next year, followed by a full EP release.

"I'm Yours and You're Mine" officially drops Friday, October 2nd. Catch The Stono River Project live tonight at Awendaw Green's Barn Jam!