In some ways, singer-songwriter-guitarist Sydney Irving experienced one uplifting experience that came out of the recent Covid19 pandemic. “It first happened when I was a junior in high school, and like so many other kids my age, I had to learn to survive in the isolated, sheltered environment of my parent’s home,” says Irving. “What kept me sane was my ability to focus on my music. I spent most of my time playing guitar and writing songs in my room. Many of the songs that appear on Unfashioned Creatures grew out of that musically creative period in my life.”
Although an excellent student, upon graduation from high school, Irving opted to dive head-first into a professional music career. “I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life, and I figured the sooner I started to learn my trade, the better. College was not an option in my mind.” A self-proclaimed “overachiever,” Irving focused on developing her performing and songwriting all while she was setting up her own publishing company and touring business. Currently she does over 140 shows a year, both solo acoustic and with a full band.
Now at 21, Sydney Irving’s hard work has paid off. She recently signed with DEKO ENTERTAINMENT, a label distributed by Warner Music Group/ ADA; acquired worldwide management with Pilato Entertainment; and assembled a new five-piece band of music professionals for touring. Unfashioned Creatures is a musical debut that speaks volumes for an emerging artist with a creative vision beyond her years. The album was written or co-written; co-produced and arranged by Irving, with most of the guitar parts played by the singer herself.
The album floats effortlessly through a myriad of musical styles. From the punk-inspired “You Can’t Forget About Me;” to the infectious power-pop rocker “Seasons Change;” finally to the acoustic solitude of “Dreaming,” Unfashioned Creatures touches many emotions and feelings.
“’The idea was to show the spectrum of my musical interest,” says Irving about the record. One example of her reach is “Something Better,” is a song she co-wrote with producer Steven Sopchak. “It’s about finding optimism when things don’t seem so optimistic. He came up with the chorus from a dream he had, which we felt was a good sign when writing it.”
“’Wish That I Knew,’ is a song about betrayal. It’s about thinking that a person is trustworthy and then finding out they can’t be trusted at all. For whatever reason you stick around because you think it is going to get better… but it doesn’t.”
“The title of the album came after I had read the classic book, FRANKENSTEIN written by Mary Shelly in 1817. She wrote this one line in the book that said we are all ‘un-fashioned creatures.’ And that phrase always stuck with me. I felt it fit the songs on the record.”
Born and raised in and around the Syracuse, NY area, Irving grew up in a household where constant music was the norm. “My parents use to have a lot of music playing throughout our home,” she remembers.” They would put on CDs by The Ramones, Jack Johnson, Guns N Roses, The Beatles and so many others. Music was always on, and we listened all the time in our car.”
Adds Irving: “When I had my 9th birthday, my mom and dad bought me a guitar. I left it in the corner; and it collected dust for a couple of months, and then I started guitar lessons. When I came home from school, I would do my homework and then I would just sit on my bedroom floor and write songs.”
Sydney’s journey into the world of music began with inspiration drawn from legends like Taylor Swift, whose heartfelt storytelling resonated deeply with her. However, her musical evolution found its guiding light in the iconic Tom Petty, whose ability to weave personal experiences into compelling songs left an indelible mark on her artistry. “By the time I became a teenager, I got really into Tom Petty. His recordings greatly influenced my desire to focus on songwriting. “
“Listening to music has a lot to do with how you write music,” says Irving. “If you listen to your favorite songs by others and see how the lyrics are constructed, and the chords are arranged there can be a lot of inspiration that helps when a person starts to do their own songwriting. That’s what happened in my case. I think it’s very beneficial.”
Whether performing before thousands at outdoor festivals or intimate crowds at a winery Irving remains committed to putting on the best performance possible. “Sometimes when I get up on a stage, I question my confidence. Then, I realize I have to get up there and give people a show,” says Irving, who started doing live gigs at the age of 14. “However, whenever I walk out on the stage I click right into it. I know at that point, this is why I love performing and why I do it.”
“Ronnie James Dio, (who is from Cortland, N.Y., nearby where I grew up), always used to say: ‘It doesn’t matter how many people are there; you always put on the same show because there is that one person who is seeing you for the first time.’ And, I have always taken that to heart. You always try to give them your best show.”
Sydney Irving’s remarkable journey kicked off at just 14 years old, when she released her debut album, Hello Stranger. This youthful foray into music was followed by her sophomore effort, The Halfmoon Sessions, in 2018, which showcased her growth as an artist and songwriter. It has culminated thus far with the current album, Unfashioned Creatures, recorded mostly during 2023 and 2024.
As independent online releases prior to signing with DEKO, two of the singles on her album “You Can’t Forget About Me” and “Seasons Change” soared to the top of the Music Mafia Radio Top 30 Countdown, cementing her reputation as a regional chart-topping artist. Her impressive talent has not gone unnoticed. Sydney Irving was honored as the 2020 Young Adult Artist of the Year by the International Singer Songwriters Association as well as Best Pop Artist at the 2023 Mississippi Music Awards. She also claimed the title of Best New Artist at the prestigious Syracuse Area Music Awards in 2022.
Sydney has shared the stage with notable acts such as: Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Martina McBride, Jesse McCartney, Gavin DeGraw, and Thompson Square. One unforgettable highlight of her stage career was joining Barns Courtney during his concert, where they performed his hit song “You & I” together. Another major moment came in 2024 when Sydney was invited to perform onstage with country rockers Midland during their concert in Verona, NY. Their performance of “14 Gears” went viral, garnering over 80,000 views across social media and introducing her to an even wider audience.
Her electrifying performances and magnetic stage presence have earned her a dedicated following mainly in Central New York State, however, she is now poised for international recognition. Her weekly Tuesday night live podcast called “A-SIDES, B-SIDES and COVERS,” on Instagram and Facebook has attained a huge audience, including a loyal legion of fans from South America, Europe, and throughout the United States and Canada. She is also the youngest artist to be endorsed by Breedlove Guitars.
Unfashioned Creatures is scheduled for a Fall 2025 international release on DEKO ENTERTAINMENT/ Warner Music Group ADA. Tour dates will be announced at later time.
Contact: PILATO ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING & MEDIA LLC • bruce@pilato.com 585-721-6029
Links:
Website: https://sydneyirvingmusic.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SydneyIrvingMusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialsydneyirvingmusic?
Bandsintown: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/15462866