We had the good fortune of connecting with Syl Messi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Syl, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
There are thousands of recording studios in this world. I don’t find myself to be the greatest engineer ever, but a lot of studios milk money and time out of clients. I feel like a great service doesn’t only benefit the customer, or the server individually. It’s a balance of product when working on music. The mix/master belongs to the engineer and the song belongs to the artist. Together they have to mesh each other’s skills, to better their visions. So I wanted to create a space that feels more personal and private.
I try to be just as invested into a client’s music, as I am into my own. So I wanted to be a partner to the artists that come record with me and not just that guy you give money to and then I give you some mix. I wanted it to feel collaborative in a world where music has truly become a battle between artists, or artists against labels. I truly want people to feel comfortable and enthusiastic about their product whether they will listen, or the world will listen.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
So I think my music is really a long therapy session. I struggle to make music when my life is too normal, or uneventful. Not that it has to be drama, or the biggest success, but stagnancy causes me to hit blocks. So if I have nothing to speak about in my everyday, I won’t be writing any songs. I find it funny at times, but it can be tedious to tell someone “hey I can’t write that verse for you, Nothing happened to me this week. Sorry.” My art is very connected to my experiences and emotions so I will always talk about something I’ve done, seen happen, or I am on my way to do. So I write in full sentences a lot. I want to be able to talk a song to my listener, so it feels like my personality when you’re listening alone. It took years to get comfortable with my truth, and that was my biggest obstacle. How do I write about things and release music to people who don’t know these things about me? Once I got over that, I became way more relaxed in making music. My story is really just someone who was lost using their voice to help others that are lost, or show them pain doesn’t silence your voice and abilities. Life is hard, but art is the chance to accept it for what it is and mold it to what you want to feel, or see.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m the worst person to ask this question. I would take someone to Quartino’s on State street in Chicago. I think Italian food is truly calming. It just makes me so happy! I think sushi is a must if you are gonna go out, if you don’t like sushi, I’m sorry. I don’t like clubs or bars too much, but I like lounges. Like hookah lounges are great! As long as the music doesn’t suck. I personally just like being outside. I like walks, and going to zoos. Other than that, I would take someone to the studio the entire week!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to do multiple, but I’ll keep it simple. My parents have always supported whatever I wanted to do. As long as I tried and showed an interest, so did they. So when music became a thing for me it took some showing and proving, but it was accepted well. My brother, Matt Muse and my mentor, Add-2 have helped me find a lot of opportunities for networking, performing, placements, and especially social media. I hate social media and they constantly give me ideas to brand myself. I have a ton of people who have put money into my dreams, always thanks to them!

Website: https://m.soundcloud.com/syl-messi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syl_messi/?hl=en

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCupOPSWi5KqA-GiXKf33KMw

Image Credits
Image 1&3: @weknowdiddley

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