“In the process of making Broken Hearts Club, I learned a lot about myself and reached a new level of self-awareness. The heartbreak songs on the album were almost like a test. When I was finally able to record them, I was like, wow—I made it. I had to finish this album once I healed.”
-Syd, episode 270 of Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
This week we’re joined by musician and founding member of The Internet, Syd! With the release of her new solo record, Broken Hearts Club (5:00), we discuss the origin of the album (6:48), how she healed in the process of making it (7:30), her evolution from engineer to singer-songwriter (13:00), the salad days of Odd Future (16:37), the depression that followed (21:40), and how she found her voice on the other side (32:44).
After the break, Syd talks about performing through her stage fright (36:32), reckoning with Odd Future’s hyper-masculinity (38:36), the media’s outsized expectations for queer artists (41:00), actualizing her mother’s musical dreams (47:23), a full circle moment with Erykah Badu (52:30), and what she hopes for in the decade to come (54:40).
To submit a question, comment, or reflection for our mailbag episode, write us at [email protected].
Show-notes:
- Listen to Syd’s new album, Broken Hearts Club.
- Follow Syd and The Internet on Instagram.
- Hear her first solo record, Fin.
- For similar conversations, find our recommended talks with Lorde, Vince Staples, Questlove, Kevin Abstract, Run The Jewels, Janelle Monáe, Brittany Howard, David Byrne, and Sleater-Kinney.
- Order your Talk Easy mug in cream and navy or our vinyl record with Fran Lebowitz.
Illustrations by: Krishna Shenoi.
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