When Syante pivoted from software engineering into music, few could have anticipated how far her path would lead. Now based in Los Angeles, the singer-songwriter blends her Indian roots with an international pop-rock sound, creating songs that reflect diverse influences and experiences.
Growing up in India, Syante experienced cultural expectations to pursue a traditional and widely respected career path (engineering degrees, stability, and conventional success). But her heart pulled her elsewhere. “I knew staying on that path would kill something inside me,” she admits. So she packed her bags, left her job, and landed in Los Angeles to further hone her craft and pursue her aspirations.
Her music has become like a diary of her journey, telling the story of her ups, downs, and small wins as she broke away from what was expected of her. Her sound is closer to the raw pop-rock of Imagine Dragons and OneRepublic, with layers of synths.
On June 29, Syante released Save Ourselves, an urgent, emotional wake-up call sparked by her experience of waking up to an apocalyptic, smoke-filled sky in Los Angeles during the wildfires. Featuring Dr. Fink (of Prince and The Revolution), the track refuses to treat climate action as a distant altruistic ideal.
The song gained listeners beyond Los Angeles and reached audiences in India, where worries about the climate are becoming more real and urgent every day. Many listeners in India felt a connection to the message, as it reflected what they themselves were experiencing. The song’s sound and vocals reflect how Syante can turn a personal feeling, like the fear and sadness she experienced waking up to smoke-filled skies, into music, and turn it into a message that everyone can relate to. People in India could hear their own struggles and hopes in her lyrics, making the song feel as much about their story as it was about hers.
With more singles slated for release in September, including Get Lost, all leading up to her debut EP later this year, Syante continues to actively pursue her music career. Her catalogue, from Cold Blooded to A Little Sunshine, reflects a range of themes that have resonated with listeners in India and abroad.
For an artist who left behind the familiar to explore new paths, Syante has already established herself, she’s given her audience a soundtrack tthat connects with their own experiences.
