Boris Skalsky is a Ukrainian American musician, composer, and songwriter known for his eclectic contributions to a wide range of musical genres. Skalsky’s career is marked by versatility and collaboration. He first gained recognition as a founding member of the Washington, D.C.-based ambient rock band Phaser, contributing as a singer, bassist, and keyboardist to their EP Life and Illusion/Sway and album Sway on the Emperor Norton label in the early aughts. After Phaser disbanded, Skalsky embarked on a solo journey under the moniker Dead Heart Bloom, releasing a self-titled album. By the 2010s, Dead Heart Bloom evolved into a full band, releasing numerous EPs and full lengths, their latest Dream States released in 2024.

Beyond rock, Skalsky’s creative output spans multiple genres, including string quartets, electronic experiments, piano explorations, and orchestral work. His 2013 collection Diversions highlights this breadth, featuring performances by notable musicians such as Rubin Kodheli, the MIVOS string quartet, and guitarist Anthony Pirog. Skalsky also explored experimental electronics with the synth collective Tiger Mountain and served as bassist for Skysaw, a post-Smashing Pumpkins project led by Jimmy Chamberlin. As a co-founder of the record label Ephemeral Arts, he has championed independent music releases across genres.

Skalsky’s music has found a home in television and film, with credits including the score for the award-winning documentary Fading Portraits and numerous shorts. His music appears daily in shows across network TV, cable, and streaming.

His work is characterized by a seamless fusion of quiet folk, ambient rock, and classical influences, often exploring themes of love, loss, and introspection. A multi-instrumentalist, he continues to write, record and perform, leaving an imprint on both the indie music scene and the concert stage.