Syred
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Brighton based rapper Syred has claimed he makes music "about the people, for the people", with inspirations ranging from the likes of 50 Cent and Eminem to the politically conscious poet Adrian Mitchell. This mix intrigued Magda Wrzeszcz, who got the lowdown from the man himself...
(((o))): So, first and foremost, who is Syred and what are your musical backgrounds?
I am unfortunately just a person. Beyond that I’m a rapper, poet, musician; whatever you want to call it. I’m just an observer of life, interested in people and the way things work. The band is formed of 4 musicians from Brighton, Frankie Harper (guitar & vox), Caitlin Stubbs (keys and vox), Roman Scott (beatbox) and I. I grew up listening to mainly rap and hip hop during the come up of the likes of Eminem and 50 Cent. I actually began writing as a bit of a joke, imitating the gangster illusion. It wasn't really until I started drawing influence from more folk based music and beat poetry that I began to discover my actual voice.
(((o))): How did the band come together?
I wrote an electronically produced EP and decided that I wanted to preform it with them live. So it's me and three of my closest friends. We always knew that we should work together at some point but never had the time with so many other projects going on, it was never really planned just kind of happened. Three of us officially live together now and I can't seem to get rid of the other one so we're pretty much joined at the hip.
(((o))): Please describe your sound in a poetic form. (Haiku, rhyming couplets, acrostic, etc - take your pick)
New found,
truth bound,
contemporary poetry
moves round
and flows between
Swing - folk and teams,
the Jazz, Dub, Hip-Hop
go between.. hmmm
(((o))): Has your local music scene had any impact on you as a band?
There's not been a great deal of impact from the local music scene to be honest. Instead we’ve been more informed by the experiences and styles of each individual artist in the band and what they have learnt elsewhere.
(((o))): Your EP La Vérité Rouge came out recently. Tell us a little bit about it…
La Vérité Rouge is more of a concept mix-tape really than an EP I guess. It translates as 'The Red Truth' which signifies the truth from my perspective. Lyrically, it focuses on finding the truth within yourself and how important it is in helping you to fulfil your purpose. The track 'RedSky at Night' also pays homage to the two figures that made it possible for me to get to where I am. My manager and brother, Jack Syred, and the late Adrian Mitchell, pacifist beat poet and Grandfather to Caitlin Stubbs.
(((o))): What do you think is the most difficult challenge facing new bands starting out in the music industry today?
Getting real music put in front of the manufactured shit that they love to pump out infecting the ears of the masses. It it slowly sneaking back though! All is not lost - just find yourself a strong manager / booking agent who has your best interest at heart. Keep your wits about you and keep on producing music with a purpose.
(((o))): Every artist has different aims. What would have to happen for Syred to make you feel that you’d “made it”, so to speak?
When the more time I spend making music = the less time I spend finding other ways of making money.
(((o))): ‘What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.’ By what other name would Syred smell as sweet if he wasn’t Syred?
If not Syred then just call me Louie. Syred means 'Victory Councillor' & Louie means 'Famous Warrior', both were names I was given at birth, both of which describe me pretty accurately, "don't cha think?!" Haha!
(((o))): We have another column called Echoes of the Past in which we get people to write about albums that have particularly influenced them. What would you choose to write about in that column?
Moving in the Dark by Dizraeli & the Small Gods and The Soundtrack to the Struggle by Lowkey. Check 'em out!
(((o))): This is ostensibly a column for introducing new bands. Any suggestions as to who we ought to include in the near future?
This is probably slightly bias but Half Crown are doing big things out of Brighton at the moment, so keep a close eye on them. Also check out Val Bloom; it's only a matter of time for these guys...
(((o))): What are your plans for the near future?
Just to keep on writing and playing really! It's in the very early stages at the moment. But I plan to start recording a new EP in October ready for release early next year.
So stay tuned! Peace x
