Meet Sydney Clapp

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Clapp.

Sydney, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My story is constantly evolving. As it relates to music, I used to sing non-stop as a kiddo (really, ask my family). I remember the pure joy it brought me. I suppose I had “visions” during childhood of singing in front of crowds. My step-dad gave me his old cassette recorder so I could sing into it. I vividly remember singing “Smile” by Lily Allen and I’d listen over and over again. There was something special about hearing my voice in recorded form for the first time. I taught myself guitar at age 14 and I couldn’t put it down. I decided to study music in college and it created and encouraged a safe space for me to explore and deepen my connection to songwriting. I had never felt more like myself. Since then I’ve been working on a recording project (my debut EP..shh! still a secret) and it has probably been the most incredible experience of my life.

I’ve always been a sensitive soul, feeling the world and all of it’s vibrancy and depth. Songwriting has opened a space to express it all. Creativity has deepened my perception of the mysteries of this world. Creativity has captured a magical essence that I’m incredibly appreciative to witness and experience first hand. I can’t possibly know where melodies come from but I can tell you it’s a very special place that makes me incredibly giddy and honored to be alive.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been entirely smooth and I’m appreciative of that. I would be quite bored if everything was smooth and simple! The sweet spot of writing usually feels like a song is creating itself and I’m the first witness and the mechanic who gets to make sense of it all. That’s where the magic lies. Oftentimes it’s not such a whimsical experience and I’m laboring away creating watered down and mediocre melodies. However, I think this part of the process is crucial and necessary. There’s something significant about showing up for my craft even during the underwhelming moments. If I keep showing up, inspiration tends to keep showing up. Sometimes sporadically, sometimes fluently.

The hardest part of creating at this point is getting out of my own way. If I’m being critical or judging what I’m writing too early on, it usually shuts down the whole operation. I write music for the sole reward of writing music. It brings me so much joy and I do it because I love doing it Allowing songwriting to be that blissful, light and carefree is pure liberation. I do my best to create from this place everyday.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The journey of unraveling and fulfilling dreams, feeling plenty of love, appreciating the beauty this world has to offer. Getting to the end of your life with tears in your eyes and love in your heart for holding absolutely nothing back. Looking back on the dreamiest life, knowing that you did everything your heart desired and you extracted every bit of magic this world has to offer. That seems pretty successful to me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SydClapp/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/SydneyClappMusic

Image Credit:
Jackson Davis, Kassidy McConville

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