“The very best is but to return”: Sydney Quiseng on Getting into Her Personal Rhythm with ‘PHASES’

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 generally 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 fashioned 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, “Marvel” and “Responsible.”

So I shouldn’t need to say that I’m sorry
For pondering 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 not too long ago, all these emotions of guilt and self-doubt is gone. Quiseng has really embraced her solo journey while nonetheless touring with Echosmith. “I Want Findin’,” a current single and the opening tune on the EP, is Quiseng’s most private tune and in addition her favorite off the EP. The music video was shot in Japan, a house away from house for Quiseng, and for those who hear fastidiously, you may hear musical influences of Japan woven into the standard 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 want 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 want findin’
And I kinda prefer it

On “Leftover Espresso,” Quiseng embraces the sound she’s recognized for with Echosmith. Quiseng describes the tune “as filled with angst and much more confidence conceptually.” You may hear a toughness and a ‘fuck it’ perspective that weren’t current on her earlier songs. The tune creates a stability on the report, and pushes it into an indie-pop path. The manufacturing is lush and filled with headbanging power.

There’s leftover espresso
There’s mates I’m not calling
My engine’s been beginning, however simply barely
And that’s gotta rely 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 tune, “Afterglow.” I say tune, however it’s extra of a lullaby or a prayer. It options the voice of Quiseng’s Grandfather originally, 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 tune or prayer, nonetheless you interpret it, is backed by a delicate strum of an acoustic guitar with Quiseng’s grounded but haunting vocals excessive. It’s a phenomenal second to finish the report on. It brings you again all the way down to what’s necessary.

Like a moon at midnight
You’re the brilliant aspect and it’s arduous
To let that go
It’s a part, I do know
I miss you in my automotive
Oh, I hate this half
It’s the aftermath
It’s the aftеrglow

— —

:: stream/buy PHASES right here ::

:: join with Sydney Quiseng right here ::

— —

CATCHING UP WITH SYDNEY QUISENG

Atwood Journal: After we spoke final autumn, you had simply launched “Marvel” and “Responsible.” You’ve 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 superb what time can do, as a result of I used to be so nervous to face by myself 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 venture too. I’m having the time of my life and it simply looks like I’m precisely the place I’m imagined to be.

Your single, “Leftover Espresso” appears like a world away from the place you have been if you launched “Marvel.” 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 tune, it undoubtedly feels such as you’re totally immersed in your journey. Would you say that was honest remark?

Sydney Quiseng: That’s why I beloved releasing “Marvel” first. It describes that feeling of being not sure and the rising pains of doing one thing new, whereas “Leftover Espresso” is filled with angst and much more confidence conceptually. “Leftover Espresso” can also be a really sincere tune that I most likely 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.

While you look again at who you have been if 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 venture and “Phases” for instance, got here a lot later. “Phases” is me acknowledging change and studying to be okay with it. You may respect who you have been within the rear view whereas nonetheless permitting your self to grow to be somebody new. I lastly allowed myself to totally 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 speak concerning the tune and why you determined to make use of Japan as your backdrop for that tune?

Sydney Quiseng: “I Want Findin’” is my favourite tune on the EP as a result of it feels essentially the most private. It’s about the great thing about with the ability to rely upon somebody if 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 generally wandering round in a overseas place helps you get nearer to what you’re truly in search of.

”You

Sydney Quiseng © Connor Truax[/caption]

 © Connor Truax