Interviews: SYRYN

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band, SYRYN from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

Sloan: It’s kind of funny, I’d always liked a simple 1-word name for a band, and I thought something to do with a Siren would be fitting. When you bring new members into the mix, however, that changes things. Haha, We mulled over many different names such as Phantasm, Specter, Succubus, etc.  After weeks of different options and ideas, we realized that we were getting too far away from the theme of the band, and decided to go with SYRYN. This name encompassed what we feel we portray musically, wasn’t taken by anyone else that we could find, and looked good! (I’m also a stickler for Symmetry).

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Sloan: I don’t think we really entered this project with a genre in mind. We all come from different musical backgrounds, and the only thing we knew was that it would have powerful vocals. The rest all kind of fell into place as we started jamming and pulling from various genres of music. As you listen to the album, you’ll hear a diverse mix of elements and influences. What I, personally love most about metal is the energy behind it, and the immeasurable amount of support its fans hold in their hearts. It truly is a colossal second family.  

Paulo: I like Wild, Tipsy, & Out Of Control… we are talking about music still right?

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Sloan: Some yes, some no. The project was Sloan’s Brainchild. She put an advertisement up on Kijiji to which Byron responded and he became the second member of the band. Bryan was a friend of Sloan’s who plays in other local bands in the city. She and Byron had asked if Bryan would help with the drumming to get the first single released. He found himself loving the project and encouraged by family members, decided to join as our full-time drummer. Paulo came next. He has been a part of many projects in the past and knew Sloan as a promoter for a show for one of those projects. After about a year of incessant nagging on Sloan’s part, when the time was right, he came and jammed and immediately wanted to be a part of the project! Lyxxie comes to us first as a fan of SYRYN. She attended all of our shows, and when our previous bassist sadly departed, we asked if she’d be interested in joining. She was stoked to have been asked! Came to jam knowing all the songs and was raring to go adding her own little twist to everything. Needless to say, she was a shoe-in! Here we are today with a full lineup that has no plans of changing - EVER!  

Paulo: I knew Sloan as a concert promoter prior. She booked my old band before I relocated back to Calgary. She nagged me at first to join in when the band was forming, but I passed. Then a year later, I heard her voice, it lured me in, and knew she had me hook line, and sinker. She took over my soul quickly. I then came and jammed with the group and was an easy insertion to the line-up. Good thing or I don’t know what she would have done with me… 

Lyxx: I met them about a year or two into their journey as part of a lineup change. I had briefly known Sloan as a promoter when she had booked other projects I was in.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Sloan: For the record, it’s really tough to nail down just one! Lol The Scorpions, Unleash the Archers, Battle Beast, Edgy, Iron Maiden, Dio, etc.  

Paulo: Testament

Lyxx: Guns N Roses

Bryan: Mors Principium Est

Byron: My love for Progressive Rock is equal to metal so, Genesis and Megadeth

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Sloan: We write from experience, we write from knowledge, dreams, or desires. I write from all of the above, and more. The beauty of this album as a whole is that we all get it. We all feel those things and want to represent them as best we can. Be it to cheer someone up, provide an awesome drinking song, be pissed off at something or someone, dig a bit deeper, stand up for ourselves, give a musical hug, or whatever the hell else we feel like. This album encompasses all of that and more. Music is a voice, and we are choosing to use it.

Paulo: Sloan currently has my soul so it would be her forcing me. 

Bryan: I inspire them, as I need songs to drum to!

6. Where was your last gig?

Loud As Hell Metal Festival (Drumheller, Alberta, Canada)

7. Where would you like to act? 

Sloan: We definitely have touring goals for ourselves! We would like to play more in BC, as we haven’t had much of a chance to branch out there as of yet. We’d also like to tour places we’ve never been before such as Eastern Canada, The US, and some International locations as well. But really, anywhere, and everywhere we can! As we are still new, we would love, and be grateful for any opportunity that should arise for us. If you're interested in having us play an event, simply get in touch and we’ll see if we can make it happen! If you have any information about contacts, booking agents, or venues we can reach out to, that’s a bonus and would be very helpful!

Paulo: I tend to act out a lot… (ask my bandmates!) Act? Like in movies?

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Bryan: Mors Principum Est

Paulo: Arch Enemy

Lyxx: Alter Bridge

Byron: Manowar

Sloan: Battle Beast

9. Whom not? 

Paulo: probably anyone too religious.  Our drunken sailor parties are far too debaucherous for any good Christian-type. 

Lyxx: I double that ^

Bryan: Creed

Sloan: I’d be happy to feature with anyone that wants to feature with us!

10. Have Any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

Sloan: I definitely do. Especially if it’s a larger event. I can get very anxious internally and sometimes my hands shake (which is why at times you’ll notice me start a set with the mic on the stand). My personal ritual is to ensure I’m well warmed up; practicing scales and other exercises before hitting the stage, doing some stretches or some sort of shenanigan to try to shake it out. I also, without fail, have a shot about 5 minutes before each set. Apart from that, I just have to get in the mindset that we’re going to go out there and play an amazing show no matter what happens and that there’s a reason people ask us to play these events and who come out to see us! Tips for beginners on how to beat it? Feed off of your fans for energy, include them as much as possible, know your material, be prepared, and have fun!  Another little tidbit of information is that sometimes, the amount of emotion I put into my songs makes them quite personal to me. In these times, I tend to get choked up and in some cases even cry (you do not want to hear me attempt to sing while crying). If I start to feel that with a live performance, I generally try to seek out the most uninterested event attendees and direct attention there to give me some balance. Lol PS… to those seemingly uninterested people - it’s all good. Not everyone is for everyone. We respect that. 

Paulo: I feel it’s natural to have a bit of stage fright. I still do after playing onstage for over 25 years. But pound back a few lagers n’ ales and good to go!  

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Sloan: Oh gosh, there are so very many bands and solo artists who have inspired me to be where I am right now. Too many to list, really, as we can be influenced in so many different ways. Some bands or artists influence me musically, while some, I can only admire as I do not have the skill to do what they do. Sometimes it’s an appreciation for their work ethic, or stage presence. I can say this, however: without my many influences, not only would I not be where I am musically today, but I wouldn’t be WHO I am today. So, thank you for being you.

Paulo: Any that don’t suck! 

Byron: For me, it’s the bands of the late 60s and early 70s when modern music was still young, with the explosion of creativity that made so many new sounds and genres, including our precious metal.

Bry: Mors Principium Est, Kalmah, Aepahanemer, Slayer, Venom 

Lyxx: Guns N Roses, Alter Bridge. The Who and Sleep.  

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

Sloan: For me, fans have been pretty great all-in-all. It’s really the comments from reviewers or interviewers that get me. Haha We’ve had comments such as we are a “microband”, and “we are no more memorable than a McChicken Sandwich” (To the reviewer who said that, I happen to love the frick out of a good McChicken McSandwich and have the fondest memories of those consumption experiences. Joke’s on you!) These types of comments really just give us a good laugh, and we now hashtag and use each and everyone moving forward, because while it’s sometimes questionable to us, to each their own, really. #microband #mcchickenmetal  

Paulo: Legally?  

Lyxx:  Maybe not so weird, definitely encouraged now but we have a local band enthusiast who asks bands to sign various inanimate objects, and then he does giveaways. The weirdest thing I’ve signed from him was a Parmesean Cheese shaker! 

13. What do you think of your fans? 

We absolutely looooooooove our fans, they are amazing! We are always greeted with smiles and hugs! Swordfight mosh pits continue to be an epic adventure for any of our events! We also have our fair share of people running up on stage to headbang with us, screaming at the top of their lungs, singing along with us, etc. After sets, we are met with fans who have had nothing but positive and kind words for us, which we genuinely cherish. If you’re ever at one of our shows, please don’t hesitate to come to say hi or give us a hug, we’ll never turn you down! We truly appreciate you all and are eternally grateful that you enjoy our music! 

14. What do you think of our site?

Sloan: It’s fantastic! Very visually appealing and user-friendly, which is so important in this day and age! Good job, you guys!  It's so organized! I always appreciate a good catalog, and it’s easy to find so many bands on there. Fantastic use of the world wide web! 

Paulo: Dang, lots of content on there!

15. Something to add?

Sloan: Thank you so much for taking the time to interview us! We also want to send a special thank you to anyone who has supported us in any way, shape or form. We love and appreciate you all! 

Paulo: I like Pizza… and Coronas