Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Clancy.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started DJing in 2023. The way I got here was through the fact that, my whole life, I performed in theater and was involved in music through musical theatre, bands, or singing at my high school’s acoustic “coffee shop” nights. I went to MTSU and studied Music Business, which eventually led me to working in the industry and focusing more on the career-based side of music instead of the creative side. I grew up on electronic music, along with classic rock, indie rock, alternative, rap, pop punk, R&B, country — a ton of genres. I realized after a while how much I missed performing and being on stage. I reached out to my best friend Charles, who I met in college, and asked him to teach me how to DJ. He did. I got my own DJ controller and set it up in my office. I practiced after work and whenever I could for up to 8 hours a day – after work or on weekends. Whenever I could. When I finally felt “good enough”, I would go to after parties and start spinning with some of my friends, where I learned a ton of new tips & tricks to help curate my sound. I started playing live in September of 2024 and it kind of snowballed from there!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has and it hasn’t. I think what really helped solidify my place in the DJ community in Nashville is the fact that I have a very distinct sound within tech house and techno. I sort of coined the term “dark house” here and helped techno make more of a name for itself. Of course, everyone that played in the scene before me, helped curate and push this community forward.
There have been some struggles in the terms of me being a woman that DJs. Some people come at you with an assumption that you’re only booked because “you’re a girl”, but they don’t understand the amount of hours and the amount of passion I have put into my craft. I spend so much time on curation and crate digging for tracks. Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I’m any less than a DJ that’s a guy. I curated a very specific sound and it’s worked! And it encapsulates who I am perfectly. I love what I play and I love what I do!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a dark house and techno DJ/producer. I’m known for heavy basslines and incorporating elements of techno, like acid, into my tech house sets. As for techno, I play very heavy, bass driven tracks that have a lot of vocal support. I would say I specialize in those two genres. Some of my friends have even called me the “techno mother of Nashville”, which is a big honor. I never play the same set twice. I always switch it up. I think something that sets me apart from others is the specific sound I’ve curated. You’ll know you’re listening to one of my sets no matter what the genre is.
I’m most proud of staying grounded amongst the whirlwind and chaos that can come with DJing frequently and nightlife in general. It can be really draining in some ways, but it’s all worth it in the end. I’m so honored and proud of the work that I’ve put in to build my craft in order to play for some huge names and influences of mine. I’m also proud to represent the amazing promoters we have in town through my sets. I’m really grateful for the trust they put in me when they ask me to play a show. It really does mean the world. My DJ career is the thing I’m most proud of myself for in my whole life.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’ve always been really energetic and outgoing, but I also have my moments where I just need “me time”. I was a theatre and music kid growing up. Performing was always my thing and it always will be. The stage has always been my second home and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think growing up in that way is a huge advantage to what I do now. I can fully be myself and immerse myself in my craft because I just feel at home. Being energetic and outgoing since I was younger also translates into the type of music I play. I love high energy everything. If it’s not intense and fast, I can get bored pretty easily, haha.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squuid.mp3
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/3G8Q5pkXVsBcqSqTlK
