#chainflower

Syd Duran is the fierce front-woman of LA-based rock group, Chainflower. Fresh off their latest release we got a chance to catch up with her and learn more about her music career, inspirations and thoughts about being a woman in the music industry.

What have you been working to promote lately?

I've been writing a lot of music for Film and TV with my co-writers across the country. We've been working remotely for a while now, so we were prepared to keep collaborating even through the lockdown.

Please tell us about your favorite song ever written, recorded or produced by another woman and why it’s meaningful to you?

It's hard to name just one! One of the first that comes to mind is "Love the Way You Lie" written by Skylar Grey. I'm a huge fan of her as a songwriter and artist. I admire that she has released her own solo music as well as written for other artists across many genres of music. Personally, I think that's the ultimate goal when you're an amazing songwriter and recording artist in your own right.

What does it mean to you to be a woman making music/in the music business today? Do you feel a responsibility to other women to create messages and themes in your music?

When I first started making my way onto the scene in rock music in 2011, there were only a handful of female-fronted rock bands around to look up to and learn from. Thanks to Revolver Magazine who was kind enough to feature me in an issue that included some incredible girls in hard rock, I had the opportunity to meet some beautiful people like Maria Brink (In This Moment), and Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) who were both so supportive and encouraging to me as a newcomer. Their kindness was so inspiring even in the midst of some people who wanted to compare bands and pit us against each other. I held on to that and never wanted to look at other female fronted bands as competition, but rather inspiration.

Who was the first female artist you saw that made you want to create music/be in the business?

When I was very young I told my mom I wanted to be a professional singer. She said, "Okay, well then you're going to need to learn about Chrissie Hynde." It was love at first sight. I thought she was the most bad-ass girl I'd ever seen before. I wanted to be just like her.

What female artists inspire you and influence you today?

Of course, Chrissie Hynde will forever hold a special place in my heart. I've also made room in there for Amy Lee, whom I've always called "The Queen", and Kelly Clarkson because I still feel today that "Since You've Been Gone" is the BEST pop song written in my lifetime. You can't NOT sing along to it when it comes on in the car. Am I right?

What was the most challenging thing you have had to face as a female artist? 

Honestly, I feel my challenges are not specific to my gender. Getting back up on that horse after being dropped from a major label, having to reinvent yourself and figuring out how to make a living creating music as an independent artist would be tough on anyone, man or woman. I'm just proud to know that I've gone through it all and I've come back stronger and much much happier.

If you could form an all-female supergroup, who would play in it?

Orianthi and Nita Strauss on guitar, Lady Gaga on keys, Emma Anzai on bass, Meg White on drums and I would obviously sing!

Listen to “Brave” now.

Connect with Chainflower:

https://chainflowermusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Chainflowermusic

https://twitter.com/ChainflowerLA