Sydney Mae is an award-winning Pop/Adult Pop recording and performing artist based in Toronto. She has been recognized internationally for her gift of superior storytelling and room-silencing vocals that draw you in to see the world through her eyes. Originally from Calgary, Mae’s contemporary musical influences include Maggie Rogers, Léon, & Ashe to name a few.
Her single, “Not the Only One” (Jan 2023), was co-written with Nancy Laberge and is inspired by multiple experiences of outgrowing significantly one-sided relationships. “We wrote this song at a time when I was neglecting my own experiences and emotions by putting the most importance solely on validating and supporting others. Within this particular relationship, I found that pouring all my energy into someone else robbed me of any resolution for myself which produced emotional build-ups and a wave of anxiety I didn’t know what to do with.”
Mae’s debut single, “Feet First” (2021), generated 245,000+ streams and was the #1 most-played song on Stingray Music’s Pop Adult channel.
Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
I’ve been fortunate to have performed in a few different one-in-a-lifetime places, but I still shake my head at times. Some favorites that immediately come to my mind would be playing in around the bluebird café and 3rd and Lindslay both in Nashville TN, and another unforgettable moment was performing on a ship deck in the middle of the Montenegro bay completely surrounded by gorgeous hills and a setting sun that would make your knees melt. Music has brought me to some crazy places!
Are you planning any videos for your music?
There’s a visualizer video coming out on Feb 17th. I also have a graphic Design Diploma and have been happily creating all of the visual aspects of this release. The visualizer was a fun project for me to work on especially in an attempt to marry the ‘look and ‘sound’.
What is your current music project about?
’Not the Only One’ was inspired by multiple experiences of outgrowing significant one-sided relationships. We wrote this song at a time when I was validating and supporting others’ experiences without the reciprocation or recognition of my own. Within this particular relationship, I realized that because I was pouring my energy into them, I wasn’t allowing my feelings to resolve naturally which produced emotional build-ups and a wave of anxiety I didn’t know what to do with.
Stream Not the Only One https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sydneymae1/not-the-only-one-2
Was anyone else involved in writing, recording, or producing the songs?
I wrote ‘Not the Only One’ with one of my best friends, Nancy Laberge, in my living room around the time that this song’s story was actually taking place. I felt stuck, scared, sad and not sure where to lean but Nancy was there through it all like always and we wrote about all of it. Then I got Bess Rogers to come out to Toronto from Nashville to record and seal the track! It’s been a dream experience. I feel so grateful for all the cooks!!
When you create music, what is your personal purpose or goal?
My goal is always a connection in the most honest form. I’ve found that a sense of common humanity can make up the difference between moving mountains and feeling utterly flattened by them. This very pure kind of connection between artist and listener requires a level of honesty in the songwriting/music and I’m always striving for what feels most true and right for that particular song. Music is an exceptional way for many people to be heard and feel connected to something bigger than being alone.
What was the last thing you dressed up as for fancy dress?
This makes me laugh. The last time I dressed up was for my twenty-first birthday when I proceeded to force my friends and family to fully participate in my Pirates of the Caribbean-themed party. Duh! I guess you could say I tend to have a ‘no holds barred’ attitude when I’ve had a creative vision so the décor, music and food were as extravagant as the costumes. This Pirate wench had the epitome of angelic kidlet birthday parties.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
RuPaul’s Drag Race- She done already done has herses!!
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
Aubrey Plaza – this may or may not definitely have to do with the fact that I have a major crush on this otherwordly multi-talented woman.
What makes you nostalgic?
As I get older, definitely my family. I live in Toronto, but I was born in Alberta so when I talk with them or see them, it feels so incredibly special to feel the energy and share the connection of where I came from. It’s guaranteed joyful nostalgia and it reminds me of who I belong to.
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
I don’t love my inability to leave the furniture in my home where it is… essentially, I change the room layout once every other week for some necessary reason. An itch that must be scratched.
Website www.sydneymaemusic.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sydneymaemusic/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneymaemusic
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SydneyMae/
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hii6bhepPIwgYRL5ZEVcB?si=pWVAyXOTRqOKNj9ILKGahg
Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sydney-mae/1538287842
Amazon Music https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B01J5JNRDI/sydney-mae
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/sydneymaemusic
SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/sydneymaemusic
