Sycco | In a soulful, psychedelic jazz pop world of her own

We're shining a spotlight on the best new Australian artists set to dominate 2021. Welcome Brisbane pop singer-songwriter Sycco.

New For 2021

If there was a year we needed lush, colourful, pop-infused neo-soul in our lives, 2020 was the one. And Brisbane artist Sycco delivered the perfectly-times goods in bucketloads.

A string of incredible singles kicked off by 2019’s ‘Peacekeeper’ and followed into 2020 by ‘Nicotine’, ‘Dribble’, and ‘Germs’, saw Sycco – AKA Sasha McLeod – win praise from the likes of Spotify, Apple Music, Billboard, Cool Hunting, Atwood Magazine, NME, Ones to Watch, triple j (where she scored an Unearthed Artist of the Year nom), and more.

Alongside all the nods, Sycco has shared the stage with the likes of Vera Blue, Julia Jacklin, Aldous Harding, City Calm Down, Spacey Jane, Tia Gostelow and more. For her 2020 Like A Version performance on triple j, she even called on Brisbane muso mates Clea, Asha Jefferies, and Hallie to look after backing vocals.

2020 also saw Sycco take to the stage at Brisbane’s Laneway Festival for her first ever (of many, we’re certain) festival set, before capping off a mammoth year when ‘Dribble’ landed at #29 on the Hottest 100 of the year.

Inspired by her parents’ music tastes – U2 and Ben Harper from her dad, and Jack Johnson and Bob Marley from her mum – as well as her own faves like Tame Impala and pop music, what we end up with is the soulful, psychedelic jazz-pop that is completely Sycco.

Now she’s continuing the momentum with her first ever run of national headline tour dates – most of which she’s already sold out! We know big things are brewing on the horizon, so do yourself a favour and keep your eyes and ears locked on Sycco.

Check out Sycco’s new single ‘My Ways’

Sycco – My Ways (Official Music Video)

Watch this video on YouTube

The Sycco Story

From the beginning

Sycco: “I started properly making music when I was 15, I saved up all year and bought a Mac, started producing on Logic, and put all my tracks on Soundcloud. My father taught me guitar when I was seven and I was always writing songs from then on.”

What you’ll hear

Sycco: “I would say my sound is some sort of psychedelic pop or I hope it to eventually amount to that. I adore pop music and I love weird sounds that feel as though you can see colours or patterns, so I feel as though thats what I’m at least trying to make.”

Influences & inspiration

Sycco: “Pink Floyd’s album Dark Side of The Moon inspired me to start making Sycco music, nowadays I definitely still draw a whole lot of inspiration from Tame Impala but also Clairo and Charli XCX. Such good songwriters. I also love trees a lot.”

For the love of music

Sycco: “When you get into a flow state and it’s just a stream of consciousness, it’s the best feeling ever – feels like I’m translating from other realms. Music is such a release as well.”

Kicking goals

Sycco: “Late last year I was able to do a Like A Version, that for sure has been the biggest achievement so far.”

2020 taught us

Sycco: “Learning about ego and hearing that monkey mind has really helped me tune into what’s real and what’s not. I didn’t realise how many false truths I was telling myself, so learning to detach from my ego was really huge.”

The year ahead

Sycco: “This year, I’ve got an EP which I am super excited for, hopefully touring around Australia, and lots of festivals. Lots of laughs, love and happiness as well!”

When we chat in 12 months…

Sycco: “I would absolutely love to say we made it overseas and played a whole bunch of dream festivals. Still vibing to the max and just loving everything.”

[su_divider top=”no” style=”dashed” divider_color=”#026cdf” link_color=”#1f262d” size=”1″ margin=”5″]