photo by Natasha Wilson
Who are you and are you in a band or do you perform solo? If in a band(s), what is the name of that band?
I’m Sydney Sprague, I make music solo under my name and I have a side project called Competition Jones with my partner Chuck Morriss III.
What instrument(s) do you play?
I play guitar, and dabble with a little bit of keys and bass.
How long have you been making music? And what first drew you to your craft?
I’ve been making music in some form for as long as I can remember, but I’ve been performing in Phoenix and touring for the last 14 years (since I was 14). I have an uncle who is a singer/songwriter, but I think my love of music came from listening to so much 90s alternative and pop music.
What was your favorite show of all the shows you’ve ever played?
My favorite show I ever played was the Rock Lottery two years ago at Crescent Ballroom. It’s an annual event Psyko Steve puts together that takes members from all kinds of different local bands and puts them into a lottery to pair them up into make-shift bands for one day. You have all day to collaborate together on the songs and put the show together, and then perform at Crescent that night. My band was called Anxiety Queens, and the songs we managed to come up with were so great. It was easily the most fun I’ve ever had on stage.
What would be your dream lineup/location?
I think my answer might be different if I hadn’t been in quarantine for so many months, but at this point I really just miss playing with my friends and being in the local scene. So I’d say something like me, Danielle Durack, Jared & the Mill, and Playboy Manbaby at Van Buren.
photo by Michael Carter
What are you listening to during this period of social distancing?
I’ve been getting really nostalgic with my music choices lately. I think it’s comforting to listen to things that remind me of better times. It’s been a lot of Avril Lavigne and The Fray lately, but I’ve really been loving the new Ruston Kelly record a lot.
What are you binge watching/reading?
For a while I was bingeing Arrested Development for the 300th time, but lately I’ve been trying to read a lot more. Right now I’m reading a book called The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison.
What else are you doing with these extra hours at home? Extra creative time?
For the first couple months I was in a zoom-style songwriting workshop so I kept pretty busy writing and making demos, but now I’ve been spending most of my time working on releasing my new record and teaching myself how to do some basic graphic design and video editing to keep up with all my content needs.
If you could Facetime/Zoom anyone in the world for an extended convo right now, who would it be? Facetime or Zoom?
I would definitely FaceTime Antoni Porowski.
Favorite food you can make at home?
I’m from Austin originally so my go-to make at home comfort food is a huge pan of greasy tex-mex cheese enchiladas.
Are you currently working on any new musical projects? If so, what?
I’m putting out the record I made in January, maybe i will see you at the end of the world, and working on lots of stuff for my side project, Competition Jones.
How can folx support your musical endeavors? Can people check out or purchase your work online? What other options might be available?
Follow me on Spotify and add my new songs to playlists! Also follow me on Instagram, cause that’s where I spend most of my time.
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