Q&A With LA Playlist Featured Artist: Synah
What inspires your sound?
I’m heavily inspired by emotional experiences. Things that I’ve been through or emotions that came up due to situations I’ve seen people go through. Sometimes it’s an emotional experience I haven’t personally felt, but I try to understand what that experience would be like then choose a perspective to write from. I love sound design as well and how sound can evoke emotion so you’ll hear a lot of textures, layers, and color in my music because of that. I like each song to be an experience even if it’s a simple pop song or a high-energy rap song.
How long have you been making your own music?
I started writing songs and singing before I could speak. My first memory of creating my own song I was about 5 years old. My mom said she would put headphones on her tummy and play music for me, so I guess it’s literally in my bones. My mother was a female rapper as well so I grew up around music and in and out of studios with her as a kid. I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to sing.
Who is your favorite artist? Do you draw any sounds or styles from them?
I love Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Rihanna, and Travis Scott, and my favorite songwriter James Fauntleroy. I think I’m heavily influenced by all of them. They all have such a unique approach to music and the way they create. I always consider how they would handle a song especially if I’m stumped on a certain section I’m writing.
What is your creative process like? (do you write the music or the melody first)
It varies from song to song. Sometimes it’s the hook that comes first. Sometimes it’s one specific line or sound I hear at a certain section in the song that I build around, but lately, I do find myself focusing on creating based around a feeling. Lately, I’ve been writing from a place of wanting people to know they aren’t alone; that someone understands, can relate, or offer comfort.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I can’t imagine my life without music but when I’m not doing music I’m modeling so I’m sure it would be something like that. I’m such a creative person that I’m sure I would end up doing something in the creative entertainment lane, but I really found a love for modeling and fashion and I’m excited to see where it goes.
What is the best advice you’ve been given? (musically or non-musically).
one of my favorite quotes is “start where you are” Sometimes as artists we get stuck thinking we need all of the bells and whistles to be successful and it keeps you stuck in the habit of thinking “once I have this then I’ll finally do that” but every successful person had to start somewhere. All you need to do is start and take it to step by step and break those steps down into goals and before you know it you’ll be exactly where you wanted. It’s a marathon you know?
What is something you would tell your fans?
Something I would tell my fans is to never give up on their dreams and get to know themselves. Once you remember who you are you understand that you can bet on yourself to make it through anything. I also would want them to know they aren’t alone. No matter what it is you are loved and understood and your feelings are valid
Would you like to collaborate with anyone? If so, who and why?
I actually have a huge list of people I would love to collab with. All of my favorite artists of course, but if I had to specifically name a few Travis Scott is one of them. He is one of my favorite creators. Everything he does is next level and so well executed it would be a dream just to see how he comes up with his concepts.