Sydney Sherwood
Interview February 17, 2021
By Dan Locke
New Jersey-based Singer / Songwriter SYDNEY SHERWOOD has released the official lyric video for “Creep,” which was created by Jared Dylan of Red 13 Studios, and is the first single off of her upcoming, sophomore EP, Headspace. Produced and co-written by Brian Craddock, guitarist of Daughtry and owner of The Cat Room Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, Headspace is due to release on February 27, 2021
How did you discover music?
From a young age I always LOVED music- you can ask my parents how many times I listened to the Tarzan soundtrack or any volume of the Kidz Bop CDs! While my parents are not musicians, music was a huge part of their life and they did a great job at making it a part of mine. My parents and I constantly listened to music together and when I were younger, I was exposed to artists like Billy Joel, Phil Collins, and John Denver to Creed, Pearl Jam, and Counting Crows. They really made me love music and appreciate so many different genres and I attribute them as to what got me into music. I feel like I always sang, not very well in my younger years, haha, but it wasn’t until I was about thirteen that I finally started to perform, was unafraid to sing and play guitar in front of people, and write my own music. Discovering music has been one of the greatest gift God has given me.
How did you start to write music?
I started writing music when I was 13 and what got me started was this songwriting camp I did! That kind of got me interested in songwriting and really taught me how to write a good song. I didn’t think I could do it and then I sat down and wrote and just kind of came to me!
Describe your music.
Every song I write comes from the heart and is derived from personal experiences and things that I’ve been through. Genre-wise, I’ve never been able to put myself into a box but I’d say I’m somewhere situated between alternative and rock and a little bit of pop.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
My first guitar was a black Esteban American Legacy guitar that my dad had bought for himself at the time. Interestingly enough, this was the guitar I learned to play on and it was a left-handed guitar (my dad is left-handed) so we basically turned the guitar upside down and restrung it so it would be a right-handed guitar!
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
My guitar of choice now is my custom Gibson j-185! It is such a beautiful guitar and it sounds so full and warm and I LOVE it. My parents bought it for me back in 2016 and it was a really special gift because this was my dream guitar. I usually don’t play anything else!
What was your first performance like?
My first performance was a little nerve-wracking but it was at this event where no one was really paying attention to me so it was the best ice breaker performance I could have had! I sang maybe 3-4 songs and after I did that it gave me the confidence to play out more and to push past performance anxiety.
What makes a good songwriter?
I think what makes a good songwriter is someone who can be honest in their lyrics and portray real, raw emotion. I’ve always written and taken the lyrics I write directly from personal experiences and I really appreciate when I come across songs that are just downright honest.
You of course have to understand song structure and rhyming patterns but I think some of the best songs are those that are simple and honest.
What is the process of writing your music?
I usually don’t write without my guitar in hand. I like to see where the melody is going to go and I feel like writing with a guitar helps me along the process for sure. I have to be super inspired by something to come up with a chorus or something without my guitar. However, that has happened to me and I do get ideas for lyrics randomly and quite often that I then sit down and plug in to a chord progression played on guitar.
Time me about your time with American Idol? And do you think it is something every performer should try?
The American Idol Experience was not for me. It was a huge learning experience and it really was a huge confidence boost (I never thought I would have made it to the top 100 out of 100,000 auditions like that is crazy) but I did not love it. I think it is worth trying because everyone’s experience is different. I know people that loved it and I know people that didn’t love it but it really is all based on your own personal experience. I knew it wasn’t for me but it could totally be for someone else!
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The title of my first original song was “Catch Me If I’m Falling” and I did record a demo of it but it has never been released. Not sure if I’d ever want that one released LOL!
What is the backstory of your video Radioactive with Nicole Ricken?
My brother is a childhood cancer survivor and due to what he went through my mom started Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation so we do a lot of advocacy, raising money for trials and research, supporting families during and after their child’s diagnosis and the Radioactive video was a campaign that we did to make it known that 4% is not enough for funding for childhood cancer research. I am an advocate for childhood cancer and advocating for these children and their siblings is one of my passions so whenever I get to merge that with my other passion which is music, I am really blessed beyond belief.
Tell me about your sophomore EP Headspace, which will be released on February 27, 2021?
Brian and I have been working on this record for about a year now and I’m so excited to finally release it this month. It is a collection of songs that touch on heavy topics like anxiety and depression and loss but also touches on topics like overcoming, not letting people get you down, and being strong in the face of adversity. We wanted the record to be powerful and something that you could really rock out to and I think we accomplished our goal! So excited to release it soon.
Tell me about your single release “Creep”? How was it to record it in Nashville?
“Creep” is a song about anxiety, which I have battled pretty much all of my life. It was important to me that this would be the leadoff single of the new record because I wanted to share my experience with anxiety to hopefully help others but also because the lyrics serve as a visual aid for people who may not know what it’s like to have anxiety or experience a panic attack. I found that some people would give me the cliche answers such as “just don’t think about it” or “just be positive” which while meant to be helpful, do not help when your thoughts are constantly at war in your mind! As for recording in Nashville, that was a dream come true, and being able to work with Brian Craddock was amazing. I learned so much from him and I can’t wait to go back there and record again!
Tell me about how your next video “Let Me Down” will be different in the video then the recording/EP?
The “Let Me Down” video is different from the recording because it’s more of a stripped-down version- close to how I originally wrote the song. I absolutely LOVE how the song is on the record but I wanted everyone to hear a different side to the song with the video.
How does this EP different then your first EP?
This EP is definitely more edgy than my last. My last EP was more in the singer-songwriter pop territory and this one is situated in alternative rock and a little bit of pop. The rock influences that inspire me musically and vocally are more prevalent in this EP than my last and it is a new era for me musically.
What is your favorite track on the album?
I feel like it changes all the time! “Let Me Down” was my favorite for some time but now I think it’s a tie between “Born to Roll” and “Wolves.”
Digital vs. vinyl?
Such a tough question!! I just started getting into collecting records a few months ago and there is nothing better than how vinyl’s sound, ah I love it! I do like digital too though because I’m always listening to music and I can’t take my Victrola on the treadmill with me lol. I really don’t think I can choose!
You have become a cancer advocate because of your brother who is a cancer survivor. In fact, you wrote “Aloha Hawaii” about your brother. What is the backstory of the song?
I wrote “Aloha Hawaii” about our first vacation as a family after my brother was declared cancer-free. He wanted to go to Hawaii and swim with the dolphins for his Make-A-Wish trip so we all went as a family and the song is all about our time there and specifically, the bond that my brother and I share. I did a demo of that song but I have never released it so that might be something to think about in the future!
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
At first, I was just eating whatever I wanted, being lazy, and watching an endless amount of TV. Now I work out almost every day and eat healthy (it really keeps my mental health in a good spot during all this craziness) but I still watch an endless amount of TV (usually the Office) and my favorite YouTubers.
Tell me about your home studio?
It’s one of my favorite spaces just because it’s so private and it’s a space where I can sing without anyone hearing me. Sometimes I like to just be alone and record and that space are perfect. I also love it because my dad and I set it up together and basically all it is the half of my cedar closet in my basement soundproofed and rigged up with all the equipment I need. It’s not a full-fledged home studio but it really gets the job done well and it’s exactly what I wanted. I love it.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I think my new hobby is just being active. I always played sports in school and after the pandemic hit I enjoyed being active and working out. I don’t love it as much as some people who eat, sleep, and breathe the gym- I wish I did- but it has been really awesome to consistently be active during quarantine. Like I said it really helps to keep my mind clear and makes me feel good!
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
My favorite streaming service was Netflix but since they took off The Office, I don’t use it as much anymore. I think my favorite right now is Amazon Prime Video!
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I would love this! To see my favorite bands in my living room- what a cool idea. I’m sure this will be a thing in the future. I would totally love for this to become a thing.
In the past if a musician stops doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became an example, licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
If I wasn’t a musician, I’d be a makeup artist!
What is your happy place?
My happy place is Lake George, NY. It is my place of peace and I love spending quality time with my family there. I’ve been going up there since I was very young and it is without a doubt one of the only places I fully relax. Ever since my grandpa passed almost a year ago, I feel even more of a connection to Lake George because that was his favorite place as well and we shared such a bond so I love it even more now that I’m older.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows: DWP Partners with Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival for July 23-25 Event In Mansfield, OH, Louder Than Life Set for September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration In Louisville, KY, Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days and Shifts from Spring To November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL, Aftershock Set for October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
I would love to play shows again soon but traveling is very difficult so I can only hope that when these dates come up, Covid is more manageable and some of the regulations/mandatory quarantines are lifted.
