Singer/songwriter Sydney Quiseng opens up about shedding doubt, embracing change, and stepping totally 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 typically the afterglow is the perfect 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 outdoors 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 must say that I’m sorry
For considering 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
After 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 actually embraced her solo journey while nonetheless touring with Echosmith. “I Want Findin’,” a latest single and the opening track on the EP, is Quiseng’s most private track and in addition her favorite off the EP. The music video was shot in Japan, a house away from house for Quiseng, and if you happen to pay attention rigorously, you possibly can hear musical influences of Japan woven into the normal Americana backdrop of the association.
I really like songs that make me go quiet
One thing’s obtained me near crying
Somebody up there is aware of I would like findin’
I’ve been holding a grudge in the direction of the silence
However I put myself on an island
Somebody upstairs is aware of I would like findin’
And I kinda prefer it
On “Leftover Espresso,” Quiseng embraces the sound she’s recognized for with Echosmith. Quiseng describes the track “as filled with angst and much more confidence conceptually.” You’ll be able to hear a toughness and a ‘fuck it’ angle that weren’t current on her earlier songs. The track creates a stability on the document, and pushes it into an indie-pop course. The manufacturing is lush and filled with headbanging vitality.
There’s leftover espresso
There’s mates I’m not calling
My engine’s been beginning, however simply barely
And that’s gotta depend for one thing
Unfinished
A sink filled with dishes
They are saying I’ll miss it after 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 track, “Afterglow.” I say track, however it’s extra of a lullaby or a prayer. It options the voice of Quiseng’s Grandfather at the start, who she calls her greatest good friend. Quiseng performs so much 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 track or prayer, nonetheless you interpret it, is backed by a mild strum of an acoustic guitar with Quiseng’s grounded but haunting vocals excessive. It’s a fantastic second to finish the document on. It brings you again all the way down to what’s necessary.
Like a moon at midnight
You’re the brilliant facet and it’s laborious
To let that go
It’s a section, I do know
I miss you in my automobile
Oh, I hate this half
It’s the aftermath
It’s the aftеrglow
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CATCHING UP WITH SYDNEY QUISENG
Atwood Journal: After we spoke final autumn, you had simply launched “Surprise” and “Responsible.” You have 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 wonderful 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 challenge too. I’m having the time of my life and it simply seems like I’m precisely the place I’m purported to be.
Your single, “Leftover Espresso” appears like a world away from the place you have been once you launched “Surprise.” After we spoke within the fall final yr, you have been simply transitioning into turning into a solo artist and it felt such as you have been little apprehensive. With this new track, it positively feels such as you’re totally immersed in your journey. Would you say that was honest statement?
Sydney Quiseng: That’s why I cherished releasing “Surprise” first. It describes that feeling of being not sure 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 sincere track that I in all probability wouldn’t have written years in the past, because it speaks very vulnerably on the grind of life that I feel we’re all in proper now.
If you look again at who you have been once you began writing as a solo artist and who you at the moment are, do you’re feeling like an evolution has occurred?
Sydney Quiseng: Completely. “Responsible” was one of many first songs I wrote for my solo challenge 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 have been within the rear view whereas nonetheless permitting your self to change into somebody new. I lastly allowed myself to completely embrace this new chapter, so I’ve come a good distance since I wrote “Responsible.”
Your surroundings has all the time 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 discuss concerning the track and why you determined to make use of Japan as your backdrop for that track?
Sydney Quiseng: “I Want Findin’” is my favourite track on the EP as a result of it feels essentially the most private. It’s about the fantastic thing about having the ability to rely upon somebody once you really feel misplaced. I’ve been to Japan 16 instances, so it holds a really particular place in my coronary heart.
I’ve visited throughout seasons after I didn’t know who I used to be, however I all the time left feeling like I discovered myself once more. Filming the music video there was so becoming as a result of typically wandering round in a overseas place helps you get nearer to what you’re really on the lookout for.
You have got named this assortment of songs, Phases, after your third single. In a number 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 discuss extra about this and the way these concepts inform your songwriting?
Sydney Quiseng: I’ve actually grown to understand nature in all its types. A sundown on the ocean, a moon rise, the way in which a flower blooms on the good time – the sensation of being unplugged has been an enormous inspiration for my private development and my music. Once I decelerate and immerse myself in nature, it provides me a lot readability about what’s really happening in my head and that’s after I get most of my track concepts.
You might be about to launch one remaining track, “Afterglow,” which concludes this assortment of music. You have got your Grandad’s voice at first of the observe. Two questions: What’s the importance of your Grandad introducing the track? What made you determine that this track ought to shut the document?
Sydney Quiseng: My grandpa is certainly one of my greatest mates. I reside in California and he lives in Arizona so we discuss on the cellphone on a regular basis. Subconsciously, I began to gather his voicemails so I needed to make use of them for one thing someday. 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 in a position to shock him with the ultimate model of this track in individual.
“Afterglow” is about appreciating the previous whereas additionally realizing that perhaps the perfect is but to come back. The sundown will get all the eye however typically the afterglow is the perfect half. It felt proper to finish Phases on a bittersweet word as a result of that’s what life is.
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