Singer/songwriter Sydney Quiseng opens up about shedding doubt, embracing change, and stepping absolutely into her personal artistry with ‘PHASES,’ a soul-baring solo debut rooted in reflection, resilience, and self-discovery.
Stream: ‘PHASES’ – Sydney Quiseng
“The sundown will get all the eye however generally the afterglow is the most effective half,” says Sydney Quiseng about her debut EP PHASES.
In case you’re not acquainted, Quiseng is the vocalist of the band Echosmith. Quiseng (pronounced Key-Sang) was born and raised in Southern California, the place she shaped Echosmith together with her brothers and co-wrote the triple-platinum-hit “Cool Children,” which launched the band into touring the world and writing three albums, the third of which was launched in 2023.
In 2024, Quiseng determined to step exterior the comforts of being in a band with a brothers and go it alone as a solo artist. When Atwood Journal caught up with Quiseng final fall, her hesitancy was audible together with her first two singles, “Surprise” and “Responsible.”
So I shouldn’t should say that I’m sorry
For pondering of myself for as soon as in my life
I’m not sorry, however I’m tryin’ to place it softly
So don’t attempt to pin this on me
Once we each know that I’m not responsible
After talking to Quiseng just lately, all these emotions of guilt and self-doubt is gone. Quiseng has really embraced her solo journey while nonetheless touring with Echosmith. “I Want Findin’,” a latest single and the opening tune on the EP, is Quiseng’s most private tune and in addition her favorite off the EP. The music video was shot in Japan, a house away from house for Quiseng, and in case you pay attention rigorously, you’ll be able to hear musical influences of Japan woven into the standard Americana backdrop of the association.
I like songs that make me go quiet
One thing’s received me near crying
Somebody up there is aware of I want findin’
I’ve been holding a grudge in direction of the silence
However I put myself on an island
Somebody upstairs is aware of I want findin’
And I kinda prefer it
On “Leftover Espresso,” Quiseng embraces the sound she’s recognized for with Echosmith. Quiseng describes the tune “as stuffed with angst and much more confidence conceptually.” You’ll be able to hear a toughness and a ‘fuck it’ perspective that weren’t current on her earlier songs. The tune creates a stability on the file, and pushes it into an indie-pop route. The manufacturing is lush and stuffed with headbanging power.
There’s leftover espresso
There’s pals I’m not calling
My engine’s been beginning, however simply barely
And that’s gotta depend for one thing
Unfinished
A sink stuffed with dishes
They are saying I’ll miss it once I’m not in it
However they’re waking up with all I’ve been wanting
And I’m nonetheless consuming leftover espresso
The EP ends with Quiseng’s latest tune, “Afterglow.” I say tune, however it’s extra of a lullaby or a prayer. It options the voice of Quiseng’s Grandfather firstly, who she calls her greatest buddy. Quiseng performs quite a bit with the idea of time in her songs by way of place and reminiscence, however “Afterglow” is essentially the most on the nostril she has been. The tune or prayer, nevertheless you interpret it, is backed by a delicate strum of an acoustic guitar with Quiseng’s grounded but haunting vocals excessive. It’s a gorgeous second to finish the file on. It brings you again right down to what’s necessary.
Like a moon at midnight
You’re the brilliant facet and it’s exhausting
To let that go
It’s a part, I do know
I miss you in my automotive
Oh, I hate this half
It’s the aftermath
It’s the aftеrglow
— —
:: stream/buy PHASES right here ::
:: join with Sydney Quiseng right here ::
— —
CATCHING UP WITH SYDNEY QUISENG
Atwood Journal: Once we spoke final autumn, you had simply launched “Surprise” and “Responsible.” You’ve got now launched three different singles and are about to launch your debut EP. You’ve additionally been touring the brand new music. Do you’re feeling extra settled into being a solo artist?
Sydney Quiseng: I really feel far more settled now. It’s superb what time can do, as a result of I used to be so nervous to face alone as a solo artist again in September. Now it feels actually pure to be on this path. There’s one thing particular about attending to have so many “firsts” once more with this undertaking too. I’m having the time of my life and it simply seems like I’m precisely the place I’m presupposed to be.
Your single, “Leftover Espresso” appears like a world away from the place you had been once you launched “Surprise.” Once we spoke within the fall final 12 months, you had been simply transitioning into changing into a solo artist and it felt such as you had been little apprehensive. With this new tune, it positively feels such as you’re absolutely immersed in your journey. Would you say that was truthful statement?
Sydney Quiseng: That’s why I liked releasing “Surprise” first. It describes that feeling of being uncertain and the rising pains of doing one thing new, whereas “Leftover Espresso” is stuffed with angst and much more confidence conceptually. “Leftover Espresso” can be a really trustworthy tune that I most likely wouldn’t have written years in the past, because it speaks very vulnerably on the grind of life that I believe we’re all in proper now.
Once you look again at who you had been once you began writing as a solo artist and who you are actually, do you’re feeling like an evolution has occurred?
Sydney Quiseng: Completely. “Responsible” was one of many first songs I wrote for my solo undertaking and “Phases” for instance, got here a lot later. “Phases” is me acknowledging change and studying to be okay with it. You’ll be able to admire who you had been within the rear view whereas nonetheless permitting your self to change into somebody new. I lastly allowed myself to totally embrace this new chapter, so I’ve come a good distance since I wrote “Responsible.”
Your atmosphere has at all times impacted how and what you write. You shot the music video for “I Want Findin’” in Japan and I may even some Japanese affect within the music. Are you able to speak concerning the tune and why you determined to make use of Japan as your backdrop for that tune?
Sydney Quiseng: “I Want Findin’” is my favourite tune on the EP as a result of it feels essentially the most private. It’s about the great thing about with the ability to depend upon somebody once you really feel misplaced. I’ve been to Japan 16 occasions, so it holds a really particular place in my coronary heart.
I’ve visited throughout seasons once I didn’t know who I used to be, however I at all times left feeling like I discovered myself once more. Filming the music video there was so becoming as a result of generally wandering round in a international place helps you get nearer to what you’re really in search of.
You’ve got named this assortment of songs, Phases, after your third single. In plenty of your songs, you reference each the moon and in addition the idea of time, by way of place and reminiscence. Are you able to speak extra about this and the way these concepts inform your songwriting?
Sydney Quiseng: I’ve actually grown to understand nature in all its kinds. A sundown on the ocean, a moon rise, the best way a flower blooms on the good time – the sensation of being unplugged has been an enormous inspiration for my private progress and my music. Once I decelerate and immerse myself in nature, it provides me a lot readability about what’s really occurring in my head and that’s once I get most of my tune concepts.
You might be about to launch one ultimate tune, “Afterglow,” which concludes this assortment of music. You’ve got your Grandad’s voice at the beginning of the monitor. Two questions: What’s the importance of your Grandad introducing the tune? What made you determine that this tune ought to shut the file?
Sydney Quiseng: My grandpa is one in all my greatest pals. I dwell in California and he lives in Arizona so we speak on the telephone on a regular basis. Subconsciously, I began to gather his voicemails so I needed to make use of them for one thing at some point. I really didn’t inform my grandpa that I used to be going to have him be a part of my EP, so I used to be capable of shock him with the ultimate model of this tune in particular person.
“Afterglow” is about appreciating the previous whereas additionally realizing that perhaps the most effective is but to return. The sundown will get all the eye however generally the afterglow is the most effective half. It felt proper to finish Phases on a bittersweet notice as a result of that’s what life is.
— —
:: stream/buy PHASES right here ::
:: join with Sydney Quiseng right here ::
— —
— — — —
Hook up with Sydney Quiseng on
Fb, 𝕏, Threads, Instagram
Uncover new music on Atwood Journal
© Connor Truax
:: Stream Sydney Quiseng ::