We were lucky to catch up with Maxwell Senter recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Maxwell, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Trans War Criminal, our latest EP was a really special project to us because it signified our shift from cleaner indie rock to a dirtier sound that was more fed-up and in line with the Queer Punk and Riot Grrrl movements. Music has always been a tool of expression for us, and right now we’re feeling angry.
Maxwell, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Syzygy was born on a college campus in Bloomington, Indiana. The music scene was just starting to revive itself after COVID, and lead singer/founder, Lu Harper, chose to start a band that centered queer voices and experiences. Syzygy has interchanged members a few times, but it’s current iteration has been around since August 2022. Through time, all members have undergone significant growth and change together, which is reflected in Syzygy’s evolving sound and subject matter.
At it’s start, Syzygy aimed to create a space for femme and queer musicians in the scene, as most venues centered straight male performers. Over time, the two femme members of Syzygy have evolved in their gender presentation and would define themselves as more fluid than just “feminine”, but our commitment to creating spaces for underrepresented groups remains the same, and we continue to work towards a scene that allows for all different types of people and music.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
For some, especially people who are not trans or don’t know people who are, it can be hard to understand why we talk about our identities so much and why we place such an emphasis on it. In part it comes from the fact that we write about our experiences. I write music about being trans because that’s something I go through every day. Especially given political pressures surrounding trans and queer people, I am constantly being reminded of my identify and how it makes me different from others. Music is how I cope with the difficulties of being a part of a community that is so frequently made fun of or targeted in the culture. But these songs are more than just an expression, they also serve as a call to action. By coming to our shows, listening to us, paying for tickets or merchandise, people are directly supporting local queer and trans creatives, and we encourage everyone to continue that support via additional funds to other organizations, artists, or by something as simple as using the correct name and pronouns.
The shorter answer is; I make music about being trans because I want to.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
Hell no
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syzygyofficialx/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLcw3PI5GTP3X70YNya0shg
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0pZBWl8VJq5BBrgUqEkv0E?si=O7rEPoeSSHm7qvBBLsXfpQ
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/syzygy/1591927028
Image Credits
Lu Harper – Designer for Trans War Criminal EP Cover
Nick Johnson – Photographer for all pictures