Sydny August is someone who has been on my radar for awhile now, I first heard of her music last year & after listening to a few songs I knew she had an incredible amount of talent & potential. She has been making some major moves over the past year or so, and it seems like you can catch her performing at venues all across Chicago on the weekly. If you are unfamiliar with her up to this point, you won’t be for long. Go ahead and learn a thing or two about Sydny below, then be sure to check out her excellent music catalog here.
(photo taken by Madison Burger)
EM: Before we dive into the questions, give our readers that may not be familiar with you a brief introduction of yourself.
SA: I’m Sydny August from the north side of Chicago. I’m one of the few artists emerging from the other side of the city. I’ve been singing since I was a kid, but I’ve been making my own music from a business perspective for about a year now. With my music, I want to create a space where listeners can let their guard down and be calm within my music. Chicago is known to the world for a lot of negative things, but the world doesn’t know Chicago has a very positive/progressive side; I plan to bring this side to my supporters.
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EM: When did you first start recording music?
SA: I first started posting covers onto YouTube that I recorded on my computer when I was probably 9 or 10 years old. That’s when I really started recording music. I kept posting these videos until my mom got me a microphone. I then taught myself how to record and started recording all the songs on soundcloud in my room.
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EM: How would you describe your music to someone who has never listened before?
SA: I’d say my music is kinda like a variety of versatile lullabies that could end up anywhere from a rap song to pop record
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EM: Who are your top five biggest influences musically?
SA: I don’t try to put a limit on people I look up to, but a few musical influences of mine are Kehlani, Lauryn Hill, Christina Aguilera, Maxwell, and Eryn Allen Kane.
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EM: What was the first piece of music you ever purchased?
SA: I think my microphone was the first music piece I purchased. I recently just bought my own guitar, so that’s exciting.
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EM: What was the first album or song you ever purchased?
SA: I don’t know the first album I bought, but I remember when I was little, my sister and would listen to Christina Aguilera’s album Stripped on repeat.
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EM: So you’re from Chicago, how much has the city influenced you as an individual & your music?
SA: It’s motivational for me because in Chicago, you’re free to create whatever you want, and many people take advantage of this rare opportunity. It’s even better when these influences are your peers and you can directly connect with them and learn from each other genuinely
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EM: Who are some of the younger Chicago rappers/singers that you want to work with in the future?
SA: I would love to work with Chano because his sound is so unique to me, and he’s really creative with his ideology. Tink because she’s just raw. Then Herbo because he speaks the truth.
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EM: What is your favorite song that you have created so far?
SA: this is a hard question … but I’d say my favorite would be either Over or Dreamcatcher. Just wait until these unreleased songs though.
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EM: With the election right around the corner i have to ask, what are your thoughts on Donald Trump?
SA: maaaaan all I gotta say is he better not be the president of our county.
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EM: If you could collab with one person dead or alive who would it be?
SA: Chief Keef for multiple reasons. First off, Sosa is the living embodiment of the south side of Chicago to the world. Our collaboration would benefit my efforts of presenting the “other side” of Chicago to the world. In addition, I would collaborate with him because his platform is enormous. He went worldwide between the age of 16-17. In a business perspective, it would only make sense to collab with him and grow from the platform he created. Lastly, Chicago would instantly go up soon as me and Sosa’s track releases. In addition, I would love to work with Justin Bieber because I’ve been watching him grow as an artist for probably 7 or 8 years now, and it’s kinda crazy what the people and social media can do to a kid with talent. As he grew up, his sound also changed. I believe this came with doing collaborations and experimenting with other artist’s sound, which I’m interested in doing as well.
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EM: Thats a great choice, i would love to hear you & Sosa on a record together. What is one interesting fact about you that most people wouldn’t know?
SA: hmm an interesting fact that most people wouldn’t know about me is that Lud Foe once tried to get onnat with me.
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EM: The National Anthem or The International Players Anthem?
SA: International Players Anthem, duhh… Actually Ima play that right now.
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EM: What can our readers expect from Sydny for the rest of 2016?
SA: Y’all can expect me to perform at #ChiGala. I’m planning to release some merch and have a pop up at Leaders 1354. Also, I’ve written a lot of new material I just have to record when I get back to Chicago. Hopefully I have the EP out by the end of 2016.
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EM: Last question, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
SA: hopefully I see myself out of school, very successful, and just doing what I love, which is making music.