Today we’d like to introduce you to Syd Duran.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an Angeleno born and raised in Whittier, CA. When I was five years old I expressed to my parents my desire to be a professional singer. Having zero connections in the music industry nor a musical background for that matter, they did whatever they could to support my young dream. By age nine, I was taking voice lessons and performing in front of any audience that would have me. I learned how to play guitar a few years later and began writing original songs. By the time I graduated high school, I signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records and went on my first tour with my band Valora opening up for the Jonas Brothers. Things really started picking up from there. I was the featured vocalist on Breaking Benjamins’s remix of their single “Blow Me Away” off their greatest hits album, landing at #5 on the Rock Chart.
After many years on the road, I decided to shift my focus from touring and live performances with the band and onto songwriting and releasing music as a solo artist. I looked for a songwriting partner and producer that I could really expand my music library with. I never thought I would have such luck on Craigslist, but that’s where I found my friend and writing partner Coke Youngblood. He introduced me to the world of music licensing. We wrote several songs together that have been placed in film and TV. My song “Dust and Bone” was featured in a 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup commercial and various TV series on STARZ, AMC, E!, ABC, NBC, MTV, Syfy, FOX, CMT and Discovery. “Betrayal” is the featured song in the official Iron Harvest launch trailer by Deep Silver. My song “Black Widow” is featured on Netflix’s Selling Sunset. Most recently, I wrote and recorded a song with composer Gavin Linnihan for Ram Trucks 2023 Ram 1500 TRX Havoc Edition.
Writing and recording music for film and TV synchronization allow me to fulfill my creative dreams as well as take the time I need for my growing family. I married the love of my life in Sept 2021 and we are expecting our first baby in March 2023. I wouldn’t change any of the twists and turns my career took because they led me to ultimate peace and happiness today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Looking back at my story I have found acceptance and peace about all that I went through as a young, female artist in the world of hard rock. But when you’re actually going through it, it can feel overwhelming, unfair and at times questioning if it’s really worth the climb. Listing my accomplishments feels great but none of it came easily. It was years of writing songs I wondered if anyone would ever hear. We didn’t have all the steaming platforms we have now for independent artists. So when I eventually lost my record deal, I didn’t know how I would ever bounce back from such a low place. All I could do was keep on writing music. I knew if I stopped creating that was really the end. It’s the ones who never give up that will always still have a chance. Just because something didn’t work out for me didn’t mean it was a waste of time or the wrong move. I started to understand that each move I made led me closer and closer to where I wanted to be. My dreams have morphed into something slightly different than the ones I had as a 5-year-old. But the best part is that my dream, however different it looks now, is still alive and being fed and fulfilled every day.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a songwriter and recording artist. My music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube and anywhere you stream music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/sydduran
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydduran/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydduran
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sydduran
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SydDuran
Image Credits
Christina Duran Photography https://www.instagram.com/christinaduranphotography/
