Marking her first release of the year, “Kiss and Tell” is the latest offering from 17 Young and Stunning (out March 15th) where she illustrates the highs and lows of her generation. Working alongside GRAMMY-winning producer Greg Collins (Gwen Stefani, Ingrid Michaelson, Michelle Branch) and vocal coach and producer Kim Wood Sandusky (Beyoncé, Lauren Alaina, Thomas Rhett), the record spotlights Sydney’s incredible growth as told through sincere narratives over an infectious fusion of pop melodies with folk and rock undertones.

Photography Sam Leviton

Sydney’s powerhouse vocals, memorable hooks, and ability to write relatable anthems for Gen-Z makes her an essential artist on the rise. To date, she has gathered hundreds of thousands of streams, opened for American music icon Sheryl Crow, and performed at the largest single night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society at the 50th Annual Cattle Baron’s Ball in Dallas headlined by Shania Twain. She has also had the privilege of singing the National Anthem at various sporting events for the Texas Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Dallas Sidekicks, to name a few.

Tell us about “Kiss and Tell.” What inspired this track?

“Kiss and Tell” is a song I wrote about my two best friends who were in a funny love rectangle together. Basically, they switched boyfriends while we were all in the same friend group and never spoke about it until months later (I was the only one who knew all of the details). I thought it was such a funny situation and we all laugh about it to this day. While that’s what the song was originally written about, I think now it’s more about their individual perspective of getting into a situationship with a friend and needing to keep it a secret which I think too many of us can relate to.

17 Young and Stunning is your debut. Why did you choose this title?

I really didn’t know what I wanted to call this project and then I heard the initial mix of the title track in the studio and it just clicked. I was like “That’s it — that’s what it’s all about.” I wrote most of these songs at 17 and even the songs I wrote a little bit earlier still very much reflect that era of life. I was trying to figure out what was going on in my life, I was navigating new relationships and situations, and trying to figure out what happens for me after high school is over. Most of these songs are a collection of observations of stories my friends were telling me and I tried to document our lives through songwriting. I didn’t really start writing from my perspective until very recently, but the songs on this album that are from my perspective are very personal.

What is the main message of the record?

I think it’s what I would go back and tell my 17-year-old self, not that it was very long ago, just that being young is fun and eventually everything will work itself out.

What’s your favorite track in it? Or the most representative and why

It changes for me all the time. “Meant for Goodbye” is a very sentimental song for me because it’s my love letter to my childhood and my childhood friends who I love dearly. It was the first song I think I did a lot of self-reflection in and what it means to have the first big chapter of my life come to an end.

What do you think is the most challenging thing about your generation?

I think my generation has a lot of challenges. I think technology is such an amazing tool, but it could also be our society’s downfall and I think it will be my generation’s role to mitigate how we keep its impact positive.

What is the best your generation is bringing to the world in your opinion?

I think my generation is very good at speaking their mind, and while that could be for better or for worse, I think (or at least am hopeful) that it will bring a lot of positive change into our world because I know that nothing ever changes for better if you stay quiet.

How was it opening for Sheryl Crow? What do you remember from that experience?

It was such an amazing experience! I have been a big fan of hers for so long, so it was such an honor getting to open for her. I remember the energy being so incredible that night I had such a fun time on that stage. Hearing her play “If It Makes You Happy” live was such a special moment for me that I will never forget.

Who is your all time idol?

I have so many for so many different reasons. I grew up with Taylor Swift, she was my first concert I ever went to and made me fall in love with music. Her songwriting has been such an inspiration for me in how an artist can write a fun dance song or an incredibly introspective literary masterpiece. Stevie Nicks as a songwriter and performer has always been a huge influence on me as well as Lana Del Rey, Kacey Musgraves, and Amy Winehouse. I just love strong female artists!

What can we expect from you this year?

I’ll be spending the summer in Nashville writing, recording, and performing! I also have another project coming out this summer that I am very excited to share! There is much more to come!!