Q&A: Love, Culture, and Representation Matters in Sylo’s New Singles “American Idea” & “Bento Box”
REPRESENTATION PLAYS A BIG PART IN HOW WE VIEW THINGS IN OUR LIVES — and Sylo certainly knows this. When you see someone that looks like you doing great things, it’s empowering and motivating, showing that you too can make it to that place. There has long been a lack of representation when it comes to people of color, especially for the Asian community in the West. Where there is “representation,” it’s usually not positive, tending to feed off the negative stereotypes that have been used to laugh at and mock Asian communities for decades. With times changing and more open, honest discussions forming, there are important changes happening in both present and future society to come. After his last month's release of “Millions,” Sylo makes a comeback with two new singles, “American Idea” and “Bento Box.”
Just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, both tracks “tell two different stories of love and how it is driven by [Sylo’s] ever-evolving relationship with his heritage.” A Korean-Canadian alt-R&B singer-songwriter who has been named Amazon Music Canada's Breakthrough Artist of the Month, Sylo is taking great steps with his work. Based out of Toronto, ON, Sylo’s art is influenced by his environment. Born to a Korean family with religious roots, this gave him the inspiration to sing as a child in church services and has allowed him to learn how to play several instruments at once. Discovering ’90s R&B and hip-hop through his older sister, Sylo was further pushed into his decision to make music. After receiving global recognition for his smooth-like-butter records and his amazing songwriting skills, he has been placed in studios amongst GRAMMY-winning/nominated songwriters in Los Angeles, London, and Toronto.
Read down below to get to know Sylo and to hear more about his newly released singles.
LUNA: Hi Sylo! Congrats on your two new singles, “Bento Box” and “American Idea.” Are you excited about the release?
SYLO: Hey! Thank you, thank you! Yeah, I’m super happy with these next two songs, and I can’t wait to share them with everyone.
LUNA: Can you break down the creative process behind both tracks?
SYLO: So for “American Idea,” that track has been sitting on the shelf for about two years now. We made it well off into the pandemic and always knew there was something special about it. At the time, Goldchain [the producer] and I were really into songs and sounds in the likes of The 1975, Japanese House, and Phoebe Bridgers. It went through a couple of iterations production-wise, but we finally had the finished demo around last year in October.
As for “Bento Box,” we started that around September of 2021. During this time we were really into the whole onslaught of TikTok drum and bass stuff that mainly started from PinkPantheress. I was really into this sound but wanted to make sure we did something that really would stand the test of time and not just be part of some trend. We finished both these demos at a song camp we organized in the remote cottage town of St. Zenon, and it was exactly what we needed. COVID had really exhausted us mentally and creatively so we needed that space.
LUNA: How has your introspective journey into discovering more about your Korean heritage helped you grow as an artist and a person?
SYLO: I think I owe most of my introspective journey to meditation and time. This has allowed me to cultivate the clarity and space to ask myself the most important questions (at least to me). A deep appreciation of life has granted me a closer connection with my parents and who they are, my friends, and God. More than ever, I am comfortable in my own skin. I love being a second-generation Korean having lived a life with each foot planted in my Korean and Canadian upbringing.
LUNA: I know you are into ’90s R&B and hip-hop, so what artist or artists have the biggest influence on you from that era?
SYLO: I grew up listening to all of my older sister’s music (shoutout to the OG of my life). I’ve always been drawn to strong female artists probably because of listening to all the artists from my childhood through my sister. This includes Aaliyah, Sade, Ashanti, Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears, and some male artists like Usher, Tupac, and Seal.
LUNA: Who in life is your biggest influence?
SYLO: Since I mentioned my sister, who’s so dear to me and such a light in my life, I would say she is my biggest influence. She’s the one who really got me into dancing, singing, and acting and really pushed me forward towards that journey in entertaining. It does help being a Leo! I’ve always thrived under pressure in the spotlight and love receiving and giving energy to a crowd.
LUNA: What would your advice be to other Asian American artists who are just starting out?
SYLO: I would say, don’t be afraid to embrace your role models, it’s okay to mimic and even try to sound just like them! Every single person has the gift of finding their inner voice through expression, so eventually you’ll find yours. I just wish there were more influences in my life who I could’ve looked up to that were Asian in the West. Maybe that would’ve empowered me more growing up. But times are changing and we’re making waves.
LUNA: What has been giving you joy lately?
SYLO: As of late, something that’s been giving me a lot of joy is constantly practicing being present. There’s so much pleasure to be found being in sync with your body, your surroundings, and your loved ones. I find being too much in my head and thinking too far ahead or behind from where I currently stand usually is the cause of my anxieties and depression. So be present, and soak all of this in because that’s really all there is.
LUNA: I heard you went on tour with MICHELLE! How was that?
SYLO: Being on tour has been a blessing amidst the craziness of the pandemic, but I really needed this break. I forgot my love of performing and having been able to do that alongside such a talented group is so awesome. I wasn’t too familiar with MICHELLE’s music beforehand, but watching their live shows has made me a stan. They are so iconic, and each and every one of them has such a unique personality and aura about them. They’re about to do some great things, if not already! So I’m just grateful to be a part of their journey.
LUNA: Anything else we can expect from you in 2022?
SYLO: All I can say for myself in 2022 is get ready for a lot of music and content. I’ve never grinded this hard, and I’m really starting to feel the wind under my sails. I feel like everything has really led up to this present moment for me. I have a couple of projects underway and will definitely be sharing a lot of them in the coming months.
LUNA: Question for fun: Any cool hobbies?
SYLO: Hobbies… hmm. Well, any chance I get, I love bowling and playing pool! But in general, I love moving my body. I’m a running addict and cannot function if I don’t run like a hamster in a wheel every so often. But, yeah, that’s about it.
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