Meet Syndenn Sweet

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Syndenn Sweet. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Syndenn, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Do we ever really get over imposter syndrome? I think the answer and the key to that will ultimately be you have to be comfortable with yourself and be able to understand that when you get a following, people are coming to experience you. Sometimes when we achieve success in a field, especially when it comes to something subjective like any creative endeavor.. like it’s hard to feel like you belong amongst those who look up to. I didn’t start singing until I was 30.. booked several gigs and started singing out publicly. After every performance, I remembered thinking to myself, “I could’ve done so much better .” And even though sometimes after I had a performance and thought I did awful, I still persisted and continued to book gigs. And soon I got a following and it was absolutely weird people I didn’t know came up and complimented me on my performance.. in my mind, it was almost like they were giving me a pat on the back or like a sympathy compliment. But those same fans kept coming back, and I realized that of course they didn’t feel sorry for me. They were coming around because they genuinely loved the art that I was creating, they were giving me the most valuable thing they had, which was their time.
So for me, understanding that people that are willing to invest their time and listening to me, looking at my art, or showing up to a performance, absolutely validates the realness of my art.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Syndenn Sweet is a Hearing-impaired creator living in Tucson, Arizona. She owns Hanner House Records located in the heart of Tucson with her husband Brian. She is a singer/songwriter, muti-instrumentalist, producer, Foley artist, luthier, published author, visual-artist and poet.
As a musician she has appeared with: Mr. Natures Music Garden, ESP, and The Sapiens Music Collaborative.
Syndenn currently performs with: Mama’s Boy, Tammy West and the Culprits, THE SHRIEKING VIOLETS, Broke Down Palace, Random animal and Sunny and The Whisky Machine. As A visual artist she has shown in galleries in Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, San Diego, Portland and Seattle.
She is the Author of two educational, early childhood development activity books and the creator of BURN WHILE READING: a collection of 50 poems.
Syndenn Sweet is a luthier that specializes in comprehensive restoration repair and services musical instruments from all over the southwestern United States.
Her recording label, Hanner house records, has partnered with the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum to bring our unique community a fun educational children’s “musical sensory album” (for all ages) about the Sonoran Desert. Written by Michelle Constanza, and produced by Syndenn Sweet, the album features several different genres of music and also includes a special curated ASMR experience walk through the Desert. This album features some of Tucson favorites including: Ted Ramirez, Ismael barajas, Joe Fanning, Mitzi Cowell and Patty Horn. The album is available NOW on the desert museum website. For more information about Syndenn, you can visit her website at syndennsweet.com.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think for me the ability to write things down make a list of ideas whether that’s for poetry or for art, or a song that’s in my head having the Notes app open in my phone has been very helpful. The second skill I think I’ve developed is being able to recognize when my mind is trying to express something creatively. I allow myself time to stop and try to figure out what my mind is trying to create.
The third skill I think I’ve developed is being able to “let go” of trying to make my project (whatever that is) “perfect”. I allow myself the space to step back and let the creative process of creating the art be the best part of what the result is.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The most helpful thing that has helped me Develop the skills that I have utilized to be successful is I found my community. In 2018, I joined the Board of Directors for the Tucson kitchen musicians Association. This is a volunteer board of individuals that put on one of the largest free folk festivals in the south western United States. It’s scary to venture out and try to find other individuals that are doing what you do. but trust me once you find your village, the amount of inspiration and support is incredibly valuable and validating.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Rex Scofield Kerry Whelan Jamie Anderson Phill Kelly Duncann Villalobos Sunny Gable

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made