Meet Syd Rose | Artist, Music Producer, Songwriter, and Engineer

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

Hi Syd, what do you want people to remember about you?
This question is intriguing because even just having a legacy would mean that my music career has hopefully reached the heights I have always dreamed of! If I had to choose the specifics of that legacy, though, I hope to be known as an honest and caring figure dedicated to my craft, message, and musicianship. When I started my artist project, Syd Rose, I honestly did not let myself believe that other people would like my blend of pop-folk melodies and contemporary recording techniques. I was making music that helped me sort out my feelings, plucking ideas from my musical idols and eventually combining them with my own writing style into a raw and sincere artist identity. Thanks to some very supportive and encouraging friends and family, I have now spent several years learning more about songwriting, finding a sound that I feel represents me as a person and an artist, and growing my portfolio of songs. I hope my work continues to resonate deeply with listeners and help them navigate their own emotions surrounding growing up, first loves, and childhood nostalgia.

Though my primary commitment is to my artist project, there are many other facets of my business and identity that I hope I am remembered for. My penchant for hard work, dedication to skill building, and implementation of teamwork and collaboration are very important to me. I believe these qualities are part of the reason I have been able to learn from so many others in the music world. Additionally, my technical ability– my production and engineering skills– are parts of me that I hope are fairly represented in any legacy I might leave behind. Many people (especially those unfamiliar with the industry) forget how much time, collaboration, and service-based work go into making records. The workers behind the scenes of every successful artist, festival, live show, etc. make every note of music that we hear possible. I hope that I’m understood as someone who not only appreciates the invaluable work of producers, engineers, studio personnel, and techs, but as one of them in my own right.

Over time, I have found the perspective that I have gained as someone with technical music recording knowledge not only makes me a multifaceted player in the industry but also someone who cares deeply about the process of making a record. I have a core appreciation for songwriting that was a part of me well before I knew anything about music tech, and yet I’ve grown to value both areas of expertise. Writing my songs was my first love and grew into an artist project that I’m very proud of, but I’m glad that this journey has grown into something much bigger than making music only for myself. I make art for my audience, for other artists, for my friends, and for my family. I hope the purpose behind my work is part of any legacy I leave behind.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is deeply rooted in authenticity and honesty, using a blend of folk-inspired melodies with contemporary production to write about growing up, childhood nostalgia, and first loves. I’m most proud of my upcoming debut EP, “Half the Things I Said,” which is a culmination of years of hard work and self-discovery. In my songs, I don’t shy away from admitting when I wasn’t always in the right. I explore less commercially common subjects in my songs, such as overthinking a regret, navigating bumps in friendship, and even body image. Through my music, I aim to connect with listeners and remind them that they’re not alone in their experiences.

I’m very proud to have written or co-written and produced every song on the EP, co-engineered all of the band recordings, and vocal produced and engineered all of my voice tracks. I even played a flute solo (the first instrument I ever learned!) on the last track of the EP, “Hanging On.” This body of work represents so many facets of me– my innermost thoughts, writing and production style, and engineering ability– and I’m very proud of what it has become. I went through years of music education to learn how to create full records that exceed the expectations of the artist, and I’m so excited that I’ve now been able to apply those skills to my own project. I can’t wait for people to listen to it!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First and foremost, on the way back from LAX, I love stopping at Blue Butterfly Coffee in El Segundo for a coffee and a croissant if the traffic isn’t too bad, and then going for a walk by the beach. At some point, we’d of course go to the recording studio where I work part-time, called Just For The Record! JFTR is home to some of the best-sounding rooms in LA, and I love giving tours to my friends also in the industry whenever it isn’t too busy.

My favorite places to hike and run are in Griffith Park, so we’d probably go there one or two mornings for a refreshing start to the day (and undo that healthy habit with a visit to Edendale in Silver Lake for drinks). We’d have to stop by the Atwater village farmers market if it was a Sunday and grab some fresh ingredients to make dinner. If there’s ever a full day to enjoy with no obligations, I really enjoy going to some of the quieter beaches in Malibu to swim and read. That sounds like a pretty great week in LA to me!

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 want to dedicate my shoutout to my family. They have no idea what I’m doing (most of our conversations go: “That’s so cool, Syd!! What is [insert description of my job] again?”), are constantly worried for me and stressed about my hectic schedule, but continue to support and encourage me. I wouldn’t be able to be who I am or do what I do without them.

I also want to thank my lovely friends who graduated from university with me and who are also figuring out how to navigate the crazy landscape that is the L.A. music industry. You all keep my head screwed on straight, constantly inspire me to be better just by existing, and most importantly, don’t ever let me forget what I’m worth.

Instagram: instagram.com/sydrosemusic

Facebook: facebook.com/sydrosemusic

Youtube: youtube.com/@sydrosemusic

Other: tiktok.com/@sydrosemusic

Image Credits
Vince Baur, Timothy Mah