Sydney Palmieri – Insane

By starrymag | July 11, 2023

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) I would describe my sound as alluring. It’s a little bit pop and a little bit alternative. It’s soft, but also has a little bit of darkness to it. I think it’s ever-changing and it challenges genres.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Billie Eilish, The Neighborhood, The Weeknd and, of course, the queen… Lana Del Rey!

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Insane.”

A) I wrote “Insane” a little bit differently than how I’ve written my other songs. A lot of times I pull from my own hardships, but in this case I pulled from an experience of someone else, even though it’s written in my perspective. It’s toxic and relatable.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I verbalized an experience that I think a lot of people have gone through, but are afraid to say out loud. It’s hard to admit to yourself, but in a sense freeing when you allow yourself to.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I wanted to look like a crazy, scorned lover. I wanted to use fire and sexiness to speak to the emotion and frustration of trying to replace somebody and being unsatisfied.

 

Q) The song landed on MTV’s Brand Spankin’ New for TWELVE straight weeks! How did that make you feel?

A) I have always wanted to be on MTV, so seeing my video with the little MTV logo underneath it was a surreal experience that I will forever be grateful for. Definitely checked it off my bucket list!

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) My songwriting initially came from my love of writing stories through poetry. Once I realized that I could create these stories, I decided to pull from my own life experiences or sometimes others. I just put my thoughts into words and my words into music. Most of the time I will start with an idea and then add music behind it, but I can also write to music depending on who’s producing the song.

 

Q) Keith Thomas lent a hand with the production on “Insane,” but how much of a say do you have in the production of your music?

A) So far, no matter what producer I am working with, I have been lucky that they have always been very supportive and accepted my input. I think a mark of a great producer is allowing the artist creative control to express their ideas. I’ve been so fortunate with the talented people that have been put in my path because the songs have turned out exactly as I have envisioned them.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

A) Yes! I just spent two weeks in London recording an EP consisting of seven original songs that I am looking forward to releasing! My team is still planning how we are going to release them, but they are coming!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) Recently I’ve been performing at trendy clubs in New York City! My all-time favorite is when I got to perform there in honor of Pride Month, as the LGBTQ+ community has always made me feel extremely welcomed and comfortable!

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Lana Del Rey will always be the answer to that question!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) I’ve been super into Nessa Barrett lately. She has a softness and darkness to her that I relate to. I love the way that she is so painfully vulnerable and honest in her music and how she connects with her fans.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I think social media can be a good thing and a bad thing. Social media can be harmful, but I’m grateful that it has allowed me the opportunity to connect with my fans. I am forever grateful for the fan accounts, group chats and edits made in support of me and I love watching them. Social media has allowed me to meet these people and relate to them. They often express that I inspire them; however, they have no idea how much they motivate and inspire me to keep going…Their support means everything to me and they don’t even realize how much they have helped heal the self-esteem of my younger self.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) That’s hot! Stream Syd for clear skin. And stay tuned for my next release “I Wish You the Worst” in mid-July!