Introducing #126 - Cy
Let us introduce you to Stockhold-based artist Cy, who after year of writing songs for some of contemporary pop’s most prominent names, has launched her own project with debut single ‘My Name Next To Yours’. A post-break up reminder to stop romanticizing about an ex-girlfriend. She took a moment to talk to us about her music.
Hey there Cy, so your new track ‘My Name Next To Yours’ is out now. Can you tell us what it is about?
I wrote it a few months after me and my ex broke up, and since we had a lot of common friends people would still refer to us as a couple. It was a weird feeling, and when I heard my name next to hers it just felt unnatural. This song was definitely a way to get all of those emotions out. I have a tendency to either romanticize the past or worry about the future, so writing it was a way of processing my feelings and remind myself of what our relationship and breakup really was like.
Where was the track recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from creating it?
It was created in a studio in Stockholm. Me and two guys named Michel Zitron and John Martin had been struggling a little the whole day trying to make something cool and then we sat down for food. We overheard a song that was playing in the background and when we went back into the studio, with twenty minutes left before I had to leave, Michel sat down at the drums and John grabbed a guitar. They played around while I went through my diary that I keep on my phone, piecing lines together. It was done in a bout 15-20 minutes. Some of the lines were made up on the spot while recording the vocals. That stuff rarely happens, it felt so real and special! I was exhausted for days after writing it, I think I had kept a lot of things in that got out that day. For me that magical moment of not overthinking anything happens one in a blue fricking moon, so I’m stoked that it’s coming out.
You have spent the past few years writing songs for some big contemporary pop names, the likes of LEON, Paloma Faith and Iggy Azaela. So what made you want to release your own music?
I think I’ve always wanted to put out music on my own and the songwriting was my way of getting into this business. But of course, constantly getting hit with the “no’s” makes you doubt myself, so there’s definitely an element of fear in there. But now that I have some songs that don’t feel arranged or too try-hard, it’s the right time! I’m also very excited to have more control in the process of a song from the day it’s written til the day it’s released, that’s kind of rare when you’re a songwriter.
The track comes with a music video set in an old school boxing gym, how does this connect with the message of the track?
The boxing is a metaphor for heartbreak, being knocked down over and over but still wanting to look back at your relationship with loving eyes. I wanted it to be beautiful and painful at the same time, and convey the duality in the lyrics. One line in the second verse is “first I think of your eyes, and then I remember the crying”. Like, first I picture this beautiful thing and then I remember the reality of it.
What are your key influences when it comes to your music?
I loooove pop. I loooove RnB. And I loooove a good guitar riff. I’ve always been a huge fan of Robyn and Lykke Li. I think their way of making pop is amazing. I also love Solange, Jazmine Sullivan and H.E.R and their way of conveying emotion. And then the whole DIY sound that Phoebe Bridgers and girl in red have is so inspiring. There’s so much cool music out there, I change my mind about what music I wanna make all the time hehe.
If someone had never listened to your music before, how would you describe it?
I would say it’s punky indie-pop with soulful vocals.
Now the new track is out there, what next for you?
I’m releasing more music soon! The dream is to make an album, I’m gonna try to just make amazing and innovative music. Also, one goal is to not be scared of TikTok.