We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Syante. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Syante below.
Syante, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
Be it sandpainting in elementary school, calligraphy-ing, writing “novels” a la Enid Blyton, or even “tattooing” my classmates with gel pens, I’ve always been drawn to the magic of art. I was a part of the school choir, and seized every opportunity to perform—whether it was at the school’s musical night, karaoke sessions (Kesha’s “Tik Tok” was my jam), or various cultural showcases and social events. These performances sparked my love for music, and by middle school, I knew I wanted to be a musician. Furthered by this desire, it was also around this time that I picked up the guitar.
However, as my high school and undergrad years rolled on, I drifted away from my artistic passions, focusing instead on my academics to secure a conventional 9-to-5. I achieved that goal, only to realize that I didn’t quite enjoy it. Even while in college, I recognized that computer science (the field I earned my bachelor’s degree in) didn’t interest me, but the practicality and financial security of it made it a seemingly safe choice at the time.
The pandemic struck during my junior year, providing a bit of an ease from the academic pressure, along with the chance to introspect. This period of reflection brought back the creative longing in me and I resumed playing the guitar and began writing. What started as poetry soon evolved into songwriting. I sought out various virtual music communities, attending online open mics, feedback sessions, and songwriting classes to refine my skills. It was then that I decided to fully commit to music—a dream I had harbored for years but had postponed, waiting for the “right time.” So it was right after I graduated and we began returning to normal post-lockdown that I solidified my decision and started taking steps toward becoming an artist professionally.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m mainly a singer-songwriter, but also produce, and play the guitar and the keys. My music is generally feel-good, filled with optimism and hope. It falls under the genre of pop, but I explore various styles within pop – from acoustic ballads and pop rock to electropop, all with an anthemic feel. Although I didn’t grow up in a musical family or receive professional training early on like many of my peers, I’ve always been drawn to music and operate with an intuitive understanding of it.
For me, songwriting is about storytelling, with lyrics guiding the music. I usually draw inspiration from personal experiences, but also create characters outside of myself to explore a wider range of emotions. For example, my single “Best For Never” is about missed opportunities when we try to save the best for a later, “better” time, which never comes. It’s a reminder to grab life’s chances when they come knocking. “Last Call” delves into the frustration of pouring your heart into something without any immediate tangible payoff; it’s about the three-feet-from-gold moment, when you’re torn between giving up and continuing to persist.
Getting to share these stories with audiences and reveling in the shared experience is one of the greatest privileges/joys of being an artist. I most cherish the connections that I make through music. My passion lies in crafting catchy hooks and clever lyrics that resonate with my listeners, and while I love performing my own music, I also enjoy collaborating with other artists and songwriters, bringing my artistry to their creative endeavors.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
For creatives, the urge to create is intrinsic – it’s a constant push to express ourselves and refine our skills to get better at what we do, which brings with it a deep satisfaction. Waking up with a melody in our head or the surge of joy when a lyric perfectly captures a feeling – these are the rewards that fuel our relentless pursuit. It’s not about external rewards like promotions or task completion; it’s a passion project that never truly ends. This leads to the misconception that creatives are simply “born talented.” While talent may play a role, what often goes unnoticed are the countless hours spent behind the scenes. We wrestle with techniques and constantly refine ideas. The “magic” of a finished product fades when one sees the dedication and hard work required. It’s a full-time commitment that often demands more effort than a traditional job. Unlike a 9-to-5 where you clock out and move on, creativity seeps into every aspect of life. We’re constantly “on,” be it consciously composing melodies or subconsciously picking up inspiration from everyday experiences and making up a lyric. For instance, my song “Stranded” began on a public transport journey, when the feeling of being perpetually on the move yet not really going anywhere sparked the thought “going nowhere and back again,” which became the song’s intro line. So in an artistic profession, the lines between work and play blur – it’s a 24/7 pursuit fueled by passion, not obligation. This approach might seem unconventional, even tedious, but it’s that drive that keeps us going.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I used to be obsessed with having a detailed plan for everything – the ‘how’ or the plan for every goal. We often fall into this trap of needing complete control, afraid to act without all the answers. But it limits our potential and shrinks our ambitions. Raised on the mantra of ‘playing it safe,’ taking a leap of faith seemed like a reckless fantasy. Letting go and trusting the process sounded crazy.
But moving to a new country all by myself, without knowing anyone here, with no pre-ordained path to walk on, was actually exhilarating. Figuring out my living situation, navigating a new city, along with ways to get involved in the music scene, all involved not having a perfect plan in place. This experience has shown me the power of trusting the journey and unlearning the need for complete control.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/say_aunty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/syante1
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syante-71b28b264/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@syante1
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/syante1
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2j6rflXsnm9rxtK5jcBUKt
Image Credits
icyoula