In a time where there seems to be a never ending barrage of talent popping up in the electronic dance music scene so much so it can be a bit overwhelming at times, new artists have made as striking an impact as SYZY. At 20 years old, the California-based producer has swiftly emerged as a powerhouse in the world of bass music, captivating audiences with a sound that defies conventions and sets new standards with each and every release. Their journey from a promising newcomer to a mind-blowing production mastermind has been nothing short of meteoric since popping onto the scene just about five years ago and continues to impress every step of the way.
Boasting a robust discography showcasing a rare ability to blend various genres into a cohesive and captivating sound that stands out in today’s crowded electronic music landscape in addition to receiving enthusiastic support from some of the scene’s biggest names such as Porter Robinson, Svdden Death, and Subtronics, there is no doubt SYZY is proving to be a major player.
Still buzzing off the release of her electrifying debut album, The Weight Of The World, we took the time to get to know SYZY a little better!
SYZY – The Weight Of The World | Download |
TSS: Who or what introduced you to the world of electronic dance music?
SYZY: I ended up finding it organically through watching videos on YouTube. Many of the videos I watched featured electronic music, and I would search for hours just to find the songs used. Most of them happened to be songs from Monstercat, which only expanded my taste in electronic music at the time.
TSS: What was so appealing about the dubstep sound that you wanted to produce it yourself?
SYZY: Actually, at first, I didn’t start making dubstep. I have been multi-genre since day one of producing, but dubstep happened to be the thing that took off. I just thought it sounded interesting and at that time of producing, I liked to copy things I had heard to improve on my own production skills.
TSS: DJing or production – which came first?
SYZY: Production, by about 7 years.
TSS: How would you say your sound has evolved since first popping onto the scene five years ago?
SYZY: I wanted more out of music than just DJ tools and trends. From day one, since I started music, I had aspirations of making whatever I wanted, and I lost sight due to various factors. It took a while to finally get it, but my sound is more refined and honest these days. It’s way more of a “telling you like it is whether you like it or not” kind of style, if you get what I mean.
TSS: When it comes to the bass music scene as a whole, what are some changes you’ve noticed over the years?
SYZY: I think a lot of the passion has shifted towards other things that I didn’t start to like. The fog is really thick in terms of where the creativity even comes from anymore. I was never a fan of trends and I think over the years the thought of “echo-chamber” hasn’t been able to escape my brain. For myself though, at least nowadays, I don’t picture myself a part of any scene. I just identify myself with me, my friends, and my art.
TSS: For anyone who may not be familiar with the bone-rattling sounds of Syzy, how would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
SYZY: I wouldn’t consider my music to be “bone-rattling” honestly. That description just doesn’t sit right when I think about my own music. I’m in love with the beautifully chaotic style, no matter what it is. I like to combine a lot of my favorite non-dubstep elements into my own music. I try to find the sweet spot between simplistic and overwhelming.
TSS: What gear and programs are you using these days when it comes to production?
SYZY: It’s just my computer and my copy of FL Studio. It doesn’t take much for me to be motivated and happy.
TSS: What’s your creative process in the studio?
SYZY: I suppose I don’t really have a process. I’m always inspired by all the music I consume and most importantly my friends. Whatever I’m feeling in the moment I just make.
TSS: When you have a rough week or hit a wall creatively, how do you get back on track?
SYZY: Breaks are important to let ideas flow. If you force something to come out, you will never see consistent results that you’re happy with, if any at all. I find that if I cannot make something, then don’t keep pushing. Whatever you’re working on, either save it for another time or scrap it and use it in another song. That’s the beauty in making art.
TSS: What words of wisdom do you have for up-and-coming producers looking to make their presence felt who may be overwhelmed by the current state of the music industry?
SYZY: Don’t worry about all the noise. A lot of annoying shit will try and get you down but you mustn’t listen. Keep your head down and focus on you, your loved ones, and your craft, but also, remember to leave some room to have some fun from time to time. None of this is as serious as some people make it out to be.
You’ve released plenty of music over the years, but The Weight of the World is your debut album. What was the process like putting a 10-track album together?
SYZY: It really took a lot out of me, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It felt really nice getting to actually express my true self on a record. Vulnerability is something I always struggled with when it came to writing music. But now, I can truly and literally say blood, sweat, and tears went into this project and I will gladly do it again.
TSS: Tell us about your colossal collaboration, “Get a grip!” with Neonix.
SYZY: If I’m being honest, our work together is way more casual than it may seem. We just enjoy working on music together. Every now and then, we just throw ideas each other’s way and make shit for fun. We’ve made many genres together and honestly, he’s my favorite person to work with. Our work flows and our mindsets are very similar which makes it super natural and easy. The original demo for “Get a grip!” actually dates back to over a year ago. I think it’s definitely one of our best collaborations in the long list of music we’ve made together over the years.
TSS: If you had to pick one, what would you say is your favorite track of the album?
SYZY: It’s seriously, truly hard to pick one. In my eyes, it’s my magnum opus record, and I wanted to make sure I truly felt myself with each song. I’ve been replaying “DOPE1” (track 8 with Olswel) to myself again recently and being stargazed that we made that. I’ve been a fan of Olswel for a long time, and getting to work with him was a dream come true. He is the SoundCloud Hero himself…
TSS: With The Weight of the World out now, is there anything else SYZY has planned as we prepare to close out 2024?
SYZY: Not sure. I’ve been focusing on making live versions of all the album songs for upcoming shows (which you should totally come to if you see me in your city…). I also have a lot of exciting collabs I have to finish.
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