Check Out Syd Franklin’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Syd Franklin.

Hi Syd, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was about 7 years old and my dads mom passed I didn’t know how to express the emotions I was feeling with words, so I wrote a piano piece to perform at my upcoming winter piano recital. I actually didn’t even remember the two events relating. But, my parents told me a few years ago that that was right after my grandmother had passed and that was how I was dealing with the loss. And even though I loved music and was creating it, I didn’t start singing until 8th grade. I was always on sports teams, that’s what took up my time until I graduated high school. I come from a family of non-musicians, but they are music lovers. My dad saw everyone when he was growing up and has all of his records in perfect condition to this day. When he wasn’t listening to NPR he was playing Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Bob Segar (specifically “Turn The Page”) and I swear he knew the story behind the song and the words to every one of them. My mom is who I got the love for r&b and soulful music from. She was always playing Mary J. Blige, Luther Vandross, Joss Stone. But back to 8th grade when I started singing. I was given a solo for the Christmas choir concert. I told my parents and they were like “oh that’s great sweetie!” You know, cause every kid eventually got a solo, so it wasn’t anything groundbreaking really. But, when my family came to the concert they were shocked and saw how the rest of the families and teachers were reacting to my performance. I just loved how happy it made people, I think that’s what I got hooked on. My parents were like “if you’re going to do this you’re going to learn how to do it right.” So they put me in classical vocal lessons. I am so thankful that they did that. I learned so much about breathing, how to stand, what to eat and not eat before a performance, tolls I use to this day. But, after a while I wanted to do more than just sing classical tunes in front of a jury. My mom came across an ad for an after school music place called School of Rock. They have them all over the country, it’s actually so cool. They put you in bands and every quarter there’s a show that has a different theme. The first show I did was all Zeppelin and I completely fell in love with Robert Plant’s voice and playing with a band on stage. I did that for three years, until I went to college. We played a bunch of different venues, from dive bars in D.C. to Webster Hall in New York. I knew performing was what I wanted to do.

I went to Berklee College of Music for a couple years and while I was there I took business classes and really fell in love with songwriting. I took this one class my sophomore year and our teacher was Paula Cole. That class really changed me and inspired me. I’m someone who likes tough love and would rather someone just give it to me straight. So every week we were given a concept, we’d have to write and perform the song for the class with the lyrics up on a projector. In the beginning it felt like you were standing up on stage butt ass naked with a spotlight on you and your classmates have to tell you what’s wrong with your body and what they would change. But damn, did it make you better. I really loved Boston, but my mental health was at an all time low so I dropped out of Berklee. I was extremely torn, because here I was given this opportunity to go to this school that so many would kill for and I was about to voluntarily leave. But, my mental health needed to be my focus for a while, so I went back home to Maryland. My parents of course wanted me to be healthy and that was our main priority, but they gave me a year. If I was back on my feet and nothing took off musically I had to go back to school.

I’d heard about a studio in the area so I went to check it out. They said if I wanted to record there and become one of their artists I would have to intern first. I was given the opportunity to get free studio time whenever I wanted, so I was absolutely down to intern. I learned how to run a recording studio pretty much. We had a cyc wall and all, so bands could rehearse there, shoot a music video and then we had two studios there as well. As soon as that summer was over the studio switched from a place where anyone could come in and out to work to more of a management, indie label type of place. They were focusing on three artists. Mannywellz, Luke James Shaffer and myself. I was rehearsing, performing at SXSW, opening up for bigger artists, writing songs every single day. I thought I had made it and that that was it. This was going to be the rest of my life. But with any start up company comes its challenges. I learned so much those next couple of years and as a result started to learn when and how to speak up for myself. It’s hard for us women in this industry to not be labelled as crazy when we stick up for ourselves, and that’s something I’m still learning how to navigate.

Soon after, I started working with a girl named Jess Poulin. For the first time, someone was trying to not only understand and get to know the artist version of me but the human side too. She was my publicist and really did it all. She became like an older sister to me and really looked out for me. I was her first client and now she has an amazing company called Woke Media and is absolutely thriving. She booked me for talent showcases in DC and NYC, so I was going back and forth a lot. And I loved every moment of it. Then it was time to move to LA. My dad and I drove cross country and I’ve been here six years now, almost to the day. Like many, I feel I have been 10,000 different versions of myself since I arrived. And as fucked up as this industry can be, I wouldn’t change a damn thing.

When I first got out here I was introduced to the sync world and fell in love with it. It’s so cool to write something for someone else’s vision. It allows us artists to remove our egos from something that is so much bigger than us and create a world. Things were going great and I had even just signed with UTA. We had a mini tour that was taking shape and then covid hit. Once some time had passed and people were starting to go back into the studios I finished writing my EP All The In Betweens and began recording. That project lived many different lives before it came out in 2023 but I’m so happy with how it came out and I’m so proud of what we created. That project has even helped me work through some things life has thrown my way. That’s what’s so powerful about music, when you write it you might be in one place but when it’s finally out in the world you may have a completely different way of interpreting the music. And I never really thought that could happen with your own songs.

I now am finished writing my first album titled Jane Doe and am so excited for people to hear it. I feel a lot and I feel it deeply. Sometimes it’s exhausting but I feel I have such beautiful people in my life now that just really get me. This project will take you through the past three years of my life. The loneliness and isolation I’d once felt, the deep love you feel for someone who you can’t imagine your life without, the times you really have to trust your gut and walk away from something and how painful and lonely that can be and finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after some extremely dark and scary moments. I want you to feel like you’re not alone when you listen to my music. It took a village to create this project and I could not have done it alone. And what i’ve learned is that we’re not supposed to do life alone. We need people and we need each other.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Hell no! LOL

As hard as some moments may have been and will be in the future, because we can’t avoid them, I wouldn’t change a thing. All I will say is that, if your gut is telling you something LISTEN TO IT! You are more capable than you think you are and there’s not one single person who can wave a magic wand and make everything happen, you hold the power. My mom always says “You have a voice and you have a choice!”

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a singer/songwriter! When I walk up to the mic people don’t expect me to sound how I do. Never judge a book by it’s cover, because you have no idea what you might be missing or not giving the time of day. I’m known for my big belts and emotional songwriting. I’d like to say I’m a mix between Robert Plant and Aretha Franklin. Some might think that those two artists have nothing in common, but I believe that they actually have a lot of similarities. They themselves become the instrument. They are this vessel of power and passion that can communicate whatever they’d like with a full band or orchestra or with just a piano or guitar. I aspire to be like that too!

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey so far, is that you have to be your own biggest fan. If you yourself wouldn’t be a follower of your artistry then why should anyone else? I’m not saying you shouldn’t allow yourself bad days, or even months sometimes, because trust me I have had those; but I’m learning to advocate for myself and to walk in the room like I know I belong there and deserve to be there just as much as the next person.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.syd-franklin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamsydfranklin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamsydfranklin
• Twitter: https://x.com/iamsydfranklin

Image Credits
Grey jacket via white wall: Robin Banks
Picture frame: Zoe Malhotra
Suit in b&w: Rondel Charles