We recently connected with Syannah and have shared our conversation below.
Syannah, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Growing up with two hard-working parents definitely shaped my understanding of what it means to truly work for what you want, and it has greatly influenced my own work ethic. My dad is a doctor, and my mom is a physical therapist. Though neither of them are musicians, they taught me what it means to give 110% to your profession. My mom always said that giving up is not an option if you really want something, and that if someone says, “You can’t do it,” I should use it as fuel to push even harder.
To this day, my mom has a constant passion for learning and growth. Though already retired, she still works self-employed and continues to attend courses to expand her knowledge and become even better at her job. Her commitment to continuous growth is a huge inspiration to me and has also shaped my own drive to continually improve in my craft.
My dad, too, has always worked incredibly hard. His role as a doctor—where he’s responsible for other people’s lives—is something I deeply admire. His job requires courage, a sense of calm, and immense responsibility. If I mess up a chord on stage, it’s not the end of the world (the only ones affected are me and my audience’s ears, haha). But if he made a mistake, it could have life-or-death consequences. Not only has he committed himself to this challenging work, but he’s always striven to take his career to the next level, which has paid off—he’s now the head of the anesthesiology department at his hospital.
Both of my parents have shown me how far you can go if you work hard, stay committed, and never stop evolving. Even though our careers are very different, they’ve been incredible role models when it comes to work ethic and have definitely passed down that “hustle gene” to me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a singer-songwriter, originally from Vienna, Austria, now based in Los Angeles. I create English-speaking music that blends emotional pop ballads with catchy pop songs, incorporating elements of country, rock, and indie.
What sets me apart is not only the deeply personal approach I take in my songwriting—rooted in my own experiences and storytelling—but also my focus on themes like inner growth, personal development, and navigating challenging emotions and situations. These topics are a big part of my music and also shape my presence on social media, where I connect with my audience around similar themes.
I began making music around seven years ago. For a long time, self-doubt and the belief that I’d “never be good enough anyway” held me back from really going for it. But life gave me the push I needed, and so I started pursuing the dream I’d almost left behind. After not touching a guitar for ten years, I picked it up again at 20, started taking lessons, and wrote one song after another. I went busking, performed at every open mic night there was, and found mentors in guitar, singing, acting, and songwriting. I also networked with other musicians and producers a lot, doing everything in my power to improve.
Over the years, I juggled part-time jobs to support this path and invested in both my musical skills and personal growth. That journey inspired me to share my story, hoping to encourage others to believe in themselves and follow what they love.
As an artist, I aim to create a welcoming space through my music and performances. I’ve performed in various venues across Austria, Germany, and Los Angeles, working to build an intimate, emotional experience for my audience. I love interacting with people between songs, sharing stories that connect everything into one meaningful set.
In 2023, I was honored to bring my music to a TEDx event, combining it with a speech—something I hope to do more of in the future. My work is for people seeking more than just entertainment; it’s for those on journeys of self-discovery who are looking for inspiration and encouragement. I love sharing my experiences to help provide that sense of connection and motivation.
As I sing in one of my songs: “We were born to inspire.” ❤️
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The first three impactful qualities that come to mind when it comes to my journey are resilience, consistency, and self-love. Here’s what I’ve learned about each and my advice for anyone just starting out.
Resilience
Resilience is essential when diving into the deep ocean of the music business. People will always have opinions, unexpected events can happen, and there are always new challenges and adventures along the way. Facing these ups and downs has helped me develop resilience, and learning to stay calm under stress has been key to sustaining myself as an independent artist.
In my opinion, building resilience is all about stepping outside your comfort zone—that’s where real growth happens. Embrace challenges, even if they’re tough, because every time you face them, you’re building that inner strength to keep going.
My dad once told me “Even if you can’t change a situation, you can always chance your attitude towards it”. Meaning, that even if you are challenged or things don’t work out the way you planned, you are always in control of your mindset and the way you look at it – I think that is also a big part of developing resilience.
Consistency
Consistency is something I’ve learned over the years. It’s about staying on track, even during hard times, and trusting my vision, even when it feels distant. Even though there are days when I need to step back and recharge, I’ve found that staying consistent, and always moving toward my dream, is what truly pays off in the end.
My advice for staying consistent is to get clear on why you’re pursuing a specific goal. When your “why” is strong, it becomes easier to keep going, even when it’s tough. On the hard days, when motivation is hard to find, remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing and take one step at a time.
Self-Love
Self-love might be one of the most important “skills” you can develop, no matter your profession. For me, it means believing in my dreams, taking care of myself, and being both honest and gentle with my progress. Too often, we speak to ourselves more harshly than we’d ever speak to others. I try to treat myself the way I’d treat a friend, or like a mother with her child—with encouragement and understanding, but also knowing when to set boundaries to protect myself. Though I must admit, it’s not always easy 🙂
Self-love is a journey, but I believe that it’s essential if you’re going to follow your dreams.
My advice: give yourself grace. Start treating yourself like your best friend. Look in the mirror and tell yourself what you like about yourself and what you are proud of. At first, it may feel awkward, but over time, you’ll feel the shift. I believe that nourishing yourself this way builds the foundation for self-love and a higher self-esteem, which is the first step to achieving anything.
As I often remind myself, we’re the ones who know ourselves best—so we’re the ones who need to believe in ourselves the most. 💖
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
To be honest, feeling overwhelmed is not unfamiliar to me at all. When everything feels ‘too much,’ I try to stay as grounded as possible. I like to go on a hike, exercise, or talk to someone I really trust. Sometimes, simply talking about what’s bothering you can work wonders.
Listening to music, dancing, lighting a candle, or doing breathing exercises can also help a lot. In situations like that, I like to ask myself what really makes me feel so unbalanced because sometimes there’s a deeper cause to such emotional states than it might seem from the outside. I’ve learned to be honest with myself, asking what I really need when I’m overwhelmed—whether that’s talking to a friend, taking an evening off, or going out to clear my mind.
I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all answer because everyone is different and functions in their own way, but I believe it’s extremely important to get to know yourself and to ask yourself what you need to calm down in stressful and overwhelming situations.
I also recommend looking at your lifestyle and habits in general. What habits or routines could you develop to help you relax on a daily basis? Doing something relaxing for yourself each day, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes, can be a great way to prevent feeling overwhelmed or burned out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.syannah.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syannah_official
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SyannahOfficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/SyannahOfficial
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@syannahofficial
Image Credits
Personal photo:
(c) Rhythm & Poetry
Additional photos:
1. (c) Rhythm & Poetry
(Graphic Design: Djenita Pichowetz)
2. (c) Rhythm & Poetry
(Graphic Design: Djenita Pichowetz)
3. (c) Luna Miray
(Graphic Design: Djenita Pichowetz)
4. (c) Florian Reisinger
5. (c) Don Marcello
6. (c) Rainer Berson
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
