A Quick Chat With $yndrm About “Sweet Life”

Q: Hi! Your new single “Sweet Life” is impressive, what was the moment or inspiration that first sparked the idea for the track?

A: I was in a particular mood for some time because a close friend of mine passed on. For some reason, listening to a lot of UK based 90’s influenced music helped me navigate the loss. One day I just happened to be at my keyboard noodling about and the chords popped out. It seemed to make sense so I decided to develop it further.

Q: The track references ‘90s Pop Rock and Trip-Hop influences like The Verve and Talk Talk. What drew you to that era and those particular sounds for this release?

A: Truth be told, I experienced that music of that era first hand so, while dormant for many years, it decided to re-appear in my writing. When I was younger I didn’t quite understand the nuances of those styles of music but now I have a better feel for what makes the era so special.

Q: “Sweet Life” seems to contrast vibrant, dreamy music with bittersweet, introspective lyrics. What message or question are you hoping listeners walk away with after hearing it?

A: Good ears! Yes, the dreamy vibe is something I hope listeners will get a relaxed feeling from. The lyrics are really open to interpretation by the individual. For me, the lyrics are more about realizing it’s the little things in life that are really sweet, as opposed to the enjoyment of big material things. Those big things can be kind of like “Pie In The Sky” or a mirage.

Q: You’ve described $YNDRM as an “Avant-Rocktronic” project blending acoustic and electronic elements. How does “Sweet Life” push or pivot from that sound?

A: “Sweet Life” is definitely a pivot from my more recent songs. When I started developing the song there was a moment when I thought about stopping because it was so divergent. However, I decided it was a sort of re-awakening of things from my past that should be pursued. I tend to think that songs have their own lives and just choose who they want to live through. “Sweet Life” chose me and I accepted!

Q: Your 2021 release “Facade” leaned into more experimentalism. What motivated the stylistic shift toward a more accessible, alt-pop feel on this new single?

A: I can’t say there was a specific intention to lean into the alt-pop feel. I am always just noodling about and sometimes things just come out a certain way. That might not be a recipe for success in today’s music industry but I like being independent and doing whatever I feel like doing.

Q: How was the collaboration with Kee Chung different from your past work, and what did he bring to the production of “Sweet Life”?

A: Kee and I have worked on many projects over the years and are comfortable working together. Back in the day we had a Pop-Punk band called Rotten Cheri that had an album release with Fervor Records. We also produced an Avant-Pop artist called GOCCO. He has an amazing perspective with arrangement, mixing and mastering. He understands vocal presentation very well. He brought all of that ability into making “Sweet Life” what it is.

Q: What does your songwriting process typically look like? Did “Sweet Life” follow your usual creative flow or take a different route?

A: My primary instrument is drums. Usually when I write I start with a beat and then add other sounds. I like to think of the process as “rhythm and sound.” “Sweet Life” though was different as I started with some simple chords and then added the beat. I think it worked out pretty good!

Q: Your music consistently explores identity, perception, and emotional complexity. How do those themes evolve or mature in your newer work?

A: For some reason I have always gravitated toward those attributes. When I was really young I co-wrote a song called “Little Girl” with an artist by the name of Corey Glover. The song resembles an Al Green style 70’s groove that would normally be associated with a romantic relationship. If you listen to the lyrics though they are about a little girl that maintains a good attitude while navigating some tough challenges. So, I think my default setting is to explore identity, perception, and emotional complexity. Only now it is a bit more refined.

Q: You’ve built a strong reputation in NYC as a go-to producer and collaborator. Are there any exciting collaborations or live performances coming later in 2025?

A: I will perform one $YNDRM show on Saturday July 19, 2025. It is literally the only time I plan on playing a $YNDRM show, as instead of playing drums like I normally do, I will be fronting the band and singing! I have some more $YNDRM tracks that I plan on releasing as singles. They really lean into Trip-Hop like Massive Attack. I also produced an album called Alien Day by spoken word artist Brad Walrond that was released in 2024. I would like to see if Brad and I can work on some new material going forward.

Q: Beyond “Sweet Life”, what can fans expect next from $YNDRM before the year is out—new music, videos, tour dates, or another artistic direction shift?

A: Not exactly sure, but there has been some talk of doing a video for “Sweet Life.” If that doesn’t happen then another single before the end of the year is possible! I also have some new modular equipment that I’ve been noodling around with, so maybe some new ideas will present themselves in a different genre!