Sydnie Christmas has at all times recognized the right way to command a stage. However now, she’s prepared to assert the airwaves, buying and selling remakes for unique music and getting into a defining new chapter in her artistry.
The 2024 Britain’s Received Expertise winner, and West Finish star turned singer-songwriter steps boldly into a brand new period with the discharge of her newest single, ‘Run’ – a monitor that alerts not only a musical shift, however a defining second in her evolution as a recording artist. Identified for her powerhouse vocals and theatrical presence, Christmas trades the highlight of the stage for one thing extra intimate and rapid, delivering a sound that feels each uncooked and resolutely trendy.
With ‘Run’, she doesn’t simply introduce a brand new tune, she redraws the boundaries of her sound, marking the start of a chapter that positions her far past the theatre lights and firmly throughout the panorama of latest music.
Sydnie Christmas – Run (Official Video)
We caught up with Sydnie to speak concerning the hard-won journey towards discovering her voice, pushing previous self-doubt, refusing to let concern outline her, and finally reclaiming her sense of self by placing pen to paper and telling her story in her personal phrases, on her personal phrases.
Your new single ‘Run’ has been out for a number of weeks now! How does it really feel seeing folks join with it?
It feels completely wonderful! I really can’t consider the response – I’m so pleased! Folks appear to be actually liking the tune and connecting with the lyrics, which I didn’t count on! So I’m actually, actually stunned and thrilled by how nicely it’s been obtained. We all know how the web may be, folks like to inform you in the event that they don’t like one thing, however contact wooden, up to now, I haven’t seen something unfavourable about it, which form of blows my thoughts!
What did you need to say with this tune, and was it a no brainer that this needed to be your first single?
Oh there was little question in my thoughts that this HAD to be my first single! I co-wrote it with Gabrielle Aplin and Ash Howes again in September of final yr, and as soon as we’d completed the session, all of us kind of checked out every and mentioned: “that is the one!” It felt like a no brainer. The lyric, the message, the melodies combed… every little thing simply made sense. It’s a type of songs that feels very common. I don’t need to launch music that solely speaks to me, I need it to resonate with everybody. And I’ve gotten so many messages from folks saying how a lot ‘Run’ helps them which is wonderful, as a result of I need folks to really feel inspired and hopeful. I don’t need to be a egocentric artist, who makes their songs all about them. In ‘Run’ I’m saying, I’m right here and I’m beating my issues, and I do know you are able to do the identical.
Given your background in TV and musical theatre, did the concern of not being accepted make releasing your individual unique music extra daunting?
1000% – the considered being rejected for making an attempt one thing new was terrifying! Once you turn out to be recognized for doing one factor, it may be difficult to transition into doing one thing else, as a result of it’s form of customary that as a society, we don’t actually like change can we? It’s nothing one thing we deal with nicely (laughs). In order that concern of not realizing how folks would react to me releasing my very own materials precipitated me to really feel a variety of nervousness. However the actuality is, I’ve been writing songs since I used to be child, and it’s at all times been my dream to launch them sooner or later, so I felt like I simply needed to push any fears I needed to one aspect, and go for it!
Forgetting different folks’s perceptions of you, how does releasing your individual materials change the best way you see your self as an artist?
It doesn’t. It completely doesn’t. Lots of artists have a set look, and a theme that they comply with as a result of they know that’s what works greatest for them. However I’m not like that, in a manner I’m my very own theme, and I do what I do relying on how I’m feeling within the second. I don’t suppose I may be outlined or positioned simply into one set class. I’m simply me, and no one may be me, apart from me. Accepting that takes a variety of strain off of my shoulders, and permits me to stroll my very own path, and do my very own factor.
So was there a particular second while you knew you needed to maneuver from performing covers to writing and releasing your individual songs?
Yeah there was really! So in a short time after BGT I launched my album, after which went on tour, and it was wonderful! Like, I can’t inform you how a lot I loved these reveals – it was a pleasure to face on stage evening after evening, and inform my story by the entire songs I’d remade and recorded for the ‘My Means’ album, it was an unbelievable expertise – one which I knew I needed to have time and again. However I knew I couldn’t preserve producing the identical present yr upon yr, I needed to change issues up, and that’s once I thought to myself: “wouldn’t it’s wonderful if on the subsequent tour, the setlist was made up of all my very own songs?” After which I abruptly had this want to get within the studio and write an album (laughs).
What’s been the most important problem in stepping away from interpretation and into creation? And does it really feel fairly liberating to be singing as Sydnie Christmas, not Sydnie Christmas taking part in a personality or reinterpreting another person’s tune?
I wouldn’t say there are any actual challenges, it’s simply actually cool (laughs). It’s form of loopy how addictive it turns into to lean into your vulnerabilities and step on stage as your true self. Performing as Syd, and never as a personality, feels so liberating! Don’t get me fallacious, I nonetheless love the problem of taking part in totally different roles, and if I may have one foot within the performing / musical theatre world, and one foot in music, then I’d be a really pleased woman. However I believe I’m studying that proper now, I’m most snug being me, which is a very nice feeling.
How would you describe your sound now in comparison with what audiences first heard from you?
I actually don’t suppose I’ve a set sound, or a mode. By way of the texture of it, I’d say there’s a way of resilience that runs by the songs, like I need folks to listen to them and really feel optimistic. However when it comes to a style, it’s a bit of bit far and wide. The fantastic thing about being a songwriter, is that subconsciously, you find yourself writing what you might want to hear. So all I can do is write the songs I need to sing, and produce them to life in a manner that feels genuine to how I’m feeling within the second. Each tune I write is totally different from the subsequent. There’s no set theme. There’s no set style. I’m very a lot somebody who goes off of the power within the room.
Did your background in musical theatre affect the storytelling in your unique music?
Truthfully? No (laughs). It’s loopy, and I say on a regular basis… on the subject of musical theatre, sure I educated in it, sure I find it irresistible, and sure I like the performing aspect of issues, and honing in on lyrics that assist inform a narrative and convey an emotion. However on the subject of what influences me as a performer, I’ve at all times seemed to different artists. Whitney Houston was, and nonetheless is, my every little thing! I used to be wildly obsessed along with her! I like Celine Dion, Joss Stone, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatraand Judy Garland… they’re my every little thing! In order a lot as I like musical theatre, and needed it to be my job and nonetheless do, it’s my appreciation for different recording artists that influences my very own music.
How necessary was it so that you can set up your individual voice at this stage in your recording profession?
Essential. I really feel like I’ve so much to say, and a powerful message that I need to put out into the world. I don’t need to chase tendencies, or say the identical issues as everybody else, I need to write the form of songs, and album that individuals want nowadays.
What themes or experiences are you most drawn to writing about?
The recurring theme I at all times appear to come back again to, is one among optimism. I’ve been engaged on this report for a couple of yr now, so there’s been a variety of ups and downs, experiences and classes for me to drag from. I went by a break up, then I met somebody new. I used to be additionally making an attempt to redefine what “regular” meant after coming off the present (BGT), after which there have been some private issues that I went by, that… how do I say this, due to my line of labor, perhaps performed out a bit extra publicly then they’d have achieved earlier than. So there’s been so much occurring (laughs). However even in these unhappy moments, the lyrics I wrote had been at all times hopeful and up-lifting. Why do I believe that was? In truth, as a result of if I went the opposite manner, I don’t suppose I’d have been in a position to deal with the uncertainty of every little thing. Looking for the optimistic in a scenario is a bit like a coping mechanism for me. It’s what retains me feeling centred.
Sydnie Christmas performs with Nice Ormond Road Hospital Choir | Semi-Finals | BGT 2026
Do you suppose making this album helped you perceive your self on a deeper stage?
Massively. I’ve discovered that I’m way more affected person than I ever gave myself credit score for, and I’m so much calmer and extra accountable for my emotions than I believed. I used to suppose I used to be a little bit of a nut (laughs) however this course of has helped me realise I’ve really grown – I really feel like I’ve actually blossomed alongside the best way.
In instances of uncertainty and self-doubt, how do you inspire your self to maintain going?
By telling myself that nothing is everlasting, and that one thing good can come out of one thing dangerous. It’s a cliche I do know, however arduous instances don’t final. You may be going by the worst ache doable, however you’ll come out the opposite aspect stronger and wiser for the expertise, you simply need to preserve pushing ahead, trip out the storm, be affected person and consider you’ll make it by. I really feel like I’ve understanding of how I need my life to be, and due to that, I’ve by no means been one to surrender. All of these years of rejection and battle lead me to audition for BGT… and look what occurred, I WON! What an exquisite factor to have occurred to me! That proper there may be proof that your life can change right away. None of us know when our time is up, so all of us simply need to preserve carrying on, and consider that our greatest days are forward of us. The sensation of considering “what if” is worse than any disappoint or failure, I promise.
Does this new chapter sign a full shift into music, or do you see your self persevering with to maneuver between the stage and the studio?
Pay attention, you don’t know what’s across the nook on this life, so I’m open to any and all affords which are introduced to me (laughs). I don’t actually wish to restrict myself, or say that I’m solely going to do, or be, one factor – I don’t suppose anyone ought to dwell that manner. I at all times say to folks: “there’s nothing you may’t do except you say you may’t” so I say go on the market and dwell your life being open to any and each alternative that comes your manner.
What sort of artist do you need to be referred to as in 5 years’ time?
I don’t know if that’s for me to resolve, have you learnt what I imply? It’s as much as my viewers to interpret my music and performances and take from them no matter resonates. I mentioned it earlier, I’m all about optimism and hope. If folks see me as somebody who brings a bit of sunshine, and if I may be an instance that desires can come true with arduous work, I’ll be actually pleased with that.
Obtain / stream ‘Run’ right here
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