Every interview I do with artists I’m surprised just how introspective they are. You’d have to be to even attempt to survive in an industry as brutal as music tends to be. R&B newcomer Syn is incredibly self-aware. But she’s also unassuming. Her youth makes her both ambitious and thirsty for more. More knowledge, more experience. More music. She took some time to answer some questions for us. The answers were incredibly enlightening.
Syn’s Introductions
Could you please introduce our readers to Syn?
Hello, I am singer-songwriter Syn who debuted in January with “Butterflies.”
What made you connect so much with R&B?
I first received singing lessons in my first year of middle school. My teacher at the time was a big fan of Brian McKnight. Due to that teacher’s influence, I started listening to a lot of R&B and exploring the genre.
Floetry and Lauryn Hill are obvious influences. How did you learn about these artists?
I like to discover new music in my free time. I do this every single day for one hour. Floetry I learned about through YouTube and Lauryn Hill through the movie “Sister Act,” which I like a lot.
What other artists have influenced you?
There isn’t any artist I especially like a lot. I like to browse music archives and collect anything I enjoy or that could inspire me. The same goes for Lauryn Hill and Floetry.
Why Music, Syn?
When did you first take an interest in music?
I come from a religious family, so I grew up hearing music in church every week. I sang in a children’s choir at church, which is how I became interested in music.
What made you want to become a singer?
I didn’t give it much thought. Singing was what I could do best and while normally I get tired of things really quickly, that has never been the case with music, so I thought I could do it.
Have you always wanted to be an artist (singer or otherwise)?
I’ve always liked to stand in front of people and receive attention. I wonder if there’s any other job that satisfies these needs as well as being a singer? (haha)
Did you ever have any other aspirations than being a singer?
Yes. Makeup artist, Korean literature teacher–since I like literature–and so on…
Competition & Mental Health
You were on the competition show “SignHere.” How was that experience for you?
I wasn’t well known before, so it was a great opportunity to make the artist Syn known to the public.
What was the most important thing you learned on the show?
How to step outside my comfort zone and how to withstand a lot of pressure.
How was it working with BLACK NINE?
It was my first time on a survival program, and since he already had experience with such a show, he helped me handle it.
Are you interested on competing on more shows like this?
If it’s a program that matches my music style, I think I would consider it.
When it comes to competition programs, you have to produce a lot of output over a short time period and it is very burdensome since people straight out judge you, but you definitely earn something from it too. There are advantages, like getting your name out there, so I think it’s worth considering. However, I should think about my mental health first, right? (haha)
Syn Has “Butterflies”
“Butterflies.” seems to be an album that follows the story of falling for someone and then having your heart broken. Is this album a personal story? Is it dedicated to anyone?
All stories on the album come from my personal experience. It is not about one person.
I get most of my inspiration from people and love, so I made the album depict my feelings of pain and excitement.
You worked with Rico on the album (and he also showed you great support when your album dropped). How did you meet him?
Actually, I was a fan of Rico’s. I then met him in the waiting room during “SignHere” and got to talk to him. We have similar tastes in music and get along well, so we’ve kept in contact after “SignHere” and ended up working together.
Do you think you’ll work with more Daze Alive artists in the future? (A collabo between you and SLEEQ would be AMAZING!)
I greatly respect SLEEQ for speaking up for women’s rights and even incorporating that into her music. As a fellow woman living in Korea, I think it would be fun to work with her on that topic one day. And I’d definitely like to work with Rico again.
Who are some other artists you’d love to work with?
DeVita, who recently joined AOMG, Ugly Duck and producer Hookuo.
Syn Finds a Cure for the Self
Which song from the album has the most significance for you?
“Selp Cure Tape.”
Speaking of that, it reminded a lot of “Feelings” by Floetry and a little bit of Van Hunt with the use of string instruments. What inspired this song?
First of all, this is the first time I’ve heard about Van Hunt. (However, I appreciate having discovered a good artist.)
And Floetry wasn’t the motivation for this song. That is why I was actually surprised when I read your review of my album saying that I was inspired by these songs that I didn’t even know.
I made this song during a personally hard time. A few years ago I had depression and panic disorder. Back then there was a finsta about those emotions. There, I met someone who turned out to be a musician. Having depressive feelings in common, we became friends. And with this friend who shares my feelings I made that song.
What were some of the emotions you felt creating this song?
When I made it, a lot of ideas came to my mind in an instant and once the song was complete and I listened to it through headphones, it felt like the song was soothing my emotions. That’s why I named it “Selp Cure Tape.”
Lessons for an Artist
What have been some of the best moments you’ve had as an artist?
When I receive supportive messages from people who listen to my music, saying that I helped them in hard times. It makes me happy to be able to give something to them.
What are some difficult learning moments you’ve had as an artist?
Making the album as an independent artist. Without an agency, I had to do everything on my own, from PR to production. Through this, I learned how to take up a challenge and gained the confidence that, since I did it once, I can do it again.
Have you ever had moments of wanting to give up being an artist? If so, how did you get past those thoughts?
No, but I often think about working harder to make myself more widely known.
My family wasn’t well-off and my parents are very apologetic to me for not being able to support me financially. I hope that one day they won’t feel that way anymore but brazenly ask me to buy them this or that or casually say what they would like to have.
Art in the Time of COVID-19
COVID-19 has changed everything for everybody. Firstly, how are you holding up?
I spend more time at home than before. I am doing my best to stick to routines during this time.
Has this time inspired you, or has it made it hard for you to get inspired?
It has given me stricter self-control. Since I can gain inspiration from anywhere, I don’t think anything has changed in that aspect.
How do you remain positive as an artist in this time?
I stick to daily routines and watch the sunlight more frequently. I also often go for walks in a nearby park wearing a mask.
What, if anything, has this time taught you about yourself, your goals, etc.?
I have learned that I have to be able to exert self-control.
Syn’s Dreams
What do you most want to achieve in your career?
To not stop at music but make myself known through other types of art as well.
And to become someone who can in some way help my family and the people dear to me.
Is it more important to you to have success in Korea, or is it important for you to be successful in the West as well?
Since I am Korean I’d like to succeed in Korea first.
However, I’ve grown up listening to Western music, so I am very interested in Western culture and would like it if I succeeded in the West as well.
What do you want people to take away from your music?
As people don’t have just one emotion, I’d like my music to enrich whatever emotions the listener is feeling at the moment.
What the Future Holds
Have you made plans for the future? If so, what can our readers look forward to from you?
I’m planning to release something a bit different this year. I don’t have any specific plans yet but I am certain it will be good.
Any final thoughts?
I am still in the process of finding my style. Just like people don’t have only one emotion, there is this side and that side to Syn. Rather than a specific type of artist, I’d like for you to think of me as a person who wants to make you feel something in your heart.
The present situation is very difficult and as you spend more time alone you are bound to have more negative thoughts and have a harder time, but I hope you will overcome it well with positive thoughts. Thank you very much for reading this long interview.
I’ll always say it. One of the most rewarding parts of what I do is being able to speak to artists. Especially newer artists with nothing to lose and so much to gain. Syn is an amazing talent. So ambitious and so thoughtful. She’s definitely one to watch in 2020.
