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Award-winning New York songwriter and performer Sylvia Tosun delivers amazing, rich tracks which fuse world-rock rhythms and pop melodies to create a sound which is exciting and refreshing. Most intriguingly she sings in 10 different languages, not at the same time though, that would be a bit too confusing. Her album, 'Anthems', is just that - a collection of national anthems sung in their native tongues - aimed at promoting worldwide awareness in the US and abroad. Genius. Sylvia's latest single 'Underlying Feeling' has been topping dance charts around the world, and has received heavy airplay from Kiss FM's Steve Smart and Radio 1's Judge Jules, and is out now on Sea To Sun Recordings. Here's Sylvia's answers to the Same Six Questions.
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Q1 How did you start out making music?
Music making has always been in my family so I got a start at a very young age. However, the experience that lead me to this moment was when I was 13 and on vacation with my Mom. We were in a supper club in Bermuda and my Mom sent me up to the piano player to sing a song and I ended up singing 'One' from A Chorus Line in front of an audience of 250 people to a standing ovation. The woman who was gigging that night approached my mother and encouraged her to have me sing professionally. From that moment I began pursuing the art of music seriously.
Q2 What inspired your latest single?
At the time I was writing 'Underlying Feeling', I was in a new relationship and experiencing the feeling of really falling in love with someone. I was compelled to look up the word 'love' in the dictionary - I wanted to know what the literal meaning was. Interestingly, one of the definitions of love was "an underlying feeling of oneness" and that definition inspired the concept. Then, I set out to write verses that described the moment of falling in love.
Q3 What process do you go through in creating a track?
Fortunately, I work with a team of very talented musicians, programmers and producers, in particular Anton Bass, with whom I wrote and produced 'Underlying Feeling'. Usually, we come up with a template of sounds; in particular, I like to combine frequencies that cover a range from the deepest darkest bass line to the highest icy sound I can find. Then we usually sift through a multitude of sounds and samples that seem right for the track or concept. We also play parts with live instruments, such as a piano or a guitar. Once the track is moving along, my favourite thing is when we sprinkle ingredients of electro sounds that are almost like a vintage video game into the track. Every track is a different process and is always a learning experience...
Q4 Which artists influence your work?
I appreciate cutting edge and innovative music and always try to pay attention to what's buzzing on the underground. I have eclectic taste. In terms of vocalists who are writers, I have always been inspired by such artists as Peter Gabriel and Annie Lennox. However, I have been drawn to the dancefloor and have found myself inspired by the euphoria and sense of unity that you can only find there. The international electronic music scene is producing some amazing sounds. I'm particularly drawn to progressive house and the productions of Canada's Adam K & Soha; that's why I chose them to remix 'Underlying Feeling'.
Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Thank you for listening.
Q6 What are your ambitions for your latest single/album, and for the future?
At the moment I'd like to see my current single continue to spread its positive message. I'm in the studio working on my full length album which is scheduled for release spring of 2009. I am aiming for this to provide me with more opportunities to bring my traditional songwriting skills into the world of electronica and to create something truly unique.
published october 2008
