"The best is yet to come": Sydney Quiseng on Finding Her Own Rhythm with ‘PHASES’ - Atwood Magazine

      Singer/songwriter Sydney Quiseng shares her journey of overcoming doubt, embracing transformation, and fully stepping into her individuality with ‘PHASES,’ a deeply personal solo debut that centers on introspection, resilience, and self-exploration.

      Listen: ‘PHASES’ – Sydney Quiseng

      “The sunset gets all the attention but sometimes the afterglow is the best part,” Quiseng reflects on her debut EP PHASES. For those who may not know, Quiseng is the lead vocalist of the band Echosmith. Pronounced Key-Sang, she was born and raised in Southern California, where she formed Echosmith with her siblings and co-wrote the triple-platinum hit “Cool Kids,” which propelled the band into global tours and the release of three albums, including their third in 2023. In 2024, Quiseng chose to step away from the comfort of being in a band with her brothers to pursue a solo career. When Atwood Magazine interviewed her last fall, her uncertainty was evident in her first two singles, “Wonder” and “Guilty.”

      So I shouldn’t have to say that I’m sorry

      For thinking of myself for once in my life

      I’m not sorry, but I’m tryin’ to put it softly

      So don’t try to pin this on me

      When we both know that I’m not guilty

      PHASES EP – Sydney Quiseng

      After chatting with Quiseng recently, it’s clear that her feelings of guilt and self-doubt have dissipated. She has fully embraced her solo path while continuing to tour with Echosmith. “I Need Findin’,” the lead single and opening track on the EP, is her most personal song and her favorite on the EP. The music video, shot in Japan—Quiseng's second home—features subtle musical influences from Japan woven into its Americana-inspired arrangement.

      I love songs that make me go quiet

      Something’s got me close to crying

      Someone up there knows I need findin’

      I’ve been holding a grudge towards the silence

      But I put myself on an island

      Someone upstairs knows I need findin’

      And I kinda like it

      On “Leftover Coffee,” Quiseng embraces the sound she is known for with Echosmith. She describes the song as “full of angst and a lot more confidence conceptually.” There’s a newfound toughness and a 'fuck it' attitude that is absent from her earlier work. This song creates a dynamic balance within the EP, pushing it towards an indie-pop direction with its lush production and energetic beats.

      There’s leftover coffee

      There’s friends I’m not calling

      My engine’s been starting, but just barely

      And that’s gotta count for something

      Unfinished

      A sink full of dishes

      They say I’ll miss it when I’m not in it

      But they’re waking up with all I’ve been wanting

      And I’m still drinking leftover coffee

      The EP concludes with “Afterglow,” which feels more like a lullaby or a prayer. Quiseng's grandfather, whom she calls her best friend, introduces the track. She often explores time through place and memory in her music, but “Afterglow” is her most direct expression in this vein. The song, whether viewed as a lullaby or a prayer, features soft acoustic guitar strumming beneath Quiseng’s hauntingly grounded vocals, creating a poignant conclusion to the record that brings focus back to what truly matters.

      Like a moon in the dark

      You’re the bright side and it’s hard

      To let that go

      It’s a phase, I know

      I miss you in my car

      Oh, I hate this part

      It’s the aftermath

      It’s the afterglow

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      :: stream/purchase PHASES here ::

      :: connect with Sydney Quiseng here ::

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      CATCHING UP WITH SYDNEY QUISENG

      Atwood Magazine: Since our conversation last autumn, you’ve released your single "Wonder" and "Guilty," then three additional singles and your debut EP. Do you feel more comfortable in your role as a solo artist now?

      Sydney Quiseng: Definitely. Time has made a huge difference; I was quite anxious about going solo back in September. Now, it feels very natural to be on this journey. Experiencing so many “firsts” with this project is really special. I’m thoroughly enjoying myself, and it seems like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

      Your single “Leftover Coffee” feels like a significant step forward from when you released “Wonder.” When we last spoke, you seemed a bit uncertain about your transition into solo artistry. Would you agree with that assessment?

      Sydney Quiseng: Yes, that’s why I wanted to release “Wonder” first. It captures the feelings of uncertainty and the