Declan Sykes Interview

Declan Sykes Interview

Declan Sykes was carving out a music career long before you saw his face on X-Factor, from the age of 13 Declan was busking his own versions of classic songs on the streets of Melbourne.

As his reputation as a street performer grew, Declan found himself being courted by a number of Melbourne's most prominent musical figures and secured his first show with a licensed venue in the Docklands entertainment prescient.

Declan's music reflects a maturity far beyond his years, having had the constant battle of moving from town to town as a child and making new friends at no less than 15 schools Declan has intelligent and interesting insights to offer through his music.

In 2011 Declan entered X Factor, one of Australia's premier talent contests, mentored by Australia's very first Idol winner, Guy Sebastian, Declan won the hearts of the Australian public finishing third.

Since X Factor, Declan has been focusing on perfecting his own music and with a brand new band and an enviable army of high profile fans Declan Sykes is set to make a big splash, watch this space.

Interview with Declan Sykes

Question: What have you been up to since X-Factor?

Declan Sykes: I have been preparing for what is soon to happen! I have had school which has made it tough to figure out both music and school but after a while I found a balance although I have since pulled out of school. I've been recording and figuring out exactly what I want to do with my music. Today we were looking at locations to shoot my next video.


Question: What was the inspiration behind your new track?

Declan Sykes: The inspiration was a girl that went to a school, near mine and she was dating someone at the time, I liked her but I didn't want to push it too far. The girl continued to break up and then get back together with her ex and I didn't know what was happening. Since then we've became best friends and we sit back and joke about the past now and our story was great for a song and I drew inspiration from that. What began as a joke became my first single; I wrote the song and a week later sent the girl the lyrics and we recorded it a month later!


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Declan Sykes: Yes, all the tracks are written by me. The process begins with a horrible pop song that I have written and then I go to rehearsal with my freakishly talented band and they make my song better (laughs)!

My inspiration comes from my own personal life; I tend to write a lot better if I'm using a specific topic. I can write a whole song, in a night, if I work hard and have inspiration. I find that it's easier to write using my own personal experiences.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Declan Sykes: I used to be a musician who didn't listen to musicians but now I listen to small US and UK bands such as Band of Horses who have just finished up a tour around Australia. Band of Horses were a great inspiration to me, at the start. Matt Corby is everyone's inspiration especially coming from the show and doing exactly what I dream about doing. I don't have a specific genre of music that I listen to and you'll see that with my music as some of my songs are very pop, similar to The Arctic Monkey's. I don't want to be limited to a genre, if I don't have to!


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Declan Sykes: All the time! Yes! I have to repeat year 11 because of my passion for music. I hated school and I still do, the thought of returning makes me cry every time but I have to do that. I know it's worth it, there have been millions of times where I have thought about letting go but I kept pushing and I'm dedicated now, I have an amazing band and I've finally found a team that doesn't fool around, I'm committed! I'm not giving up now!


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Declan Sykes: Performing live is definitely amazing. Recording is stressful; we did about 30-40 hours in the studio which was set over five days. Recording can be frustrating because you need to do the same part over and over again until you're happy and you know it's perfect. When the band first began rehearsal we performed the song, three times until the drummers mum came in to watch, with five kids that she was looking after and that was our first audience and we have never performed that song better, since. Performing live gives you courage and you don't mess up!


Question: What was it like performing at the Palms Hotel at Crown Casino?

Declan Sykes: That performance was amazing and the crowd was incredible. All of the gigs I have done with Andrew have been amazing and a venue of that calibre was a big change for me! The response I got from that audience and ever since has been incredible.

Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Declan Sykes: I'm really not sure, although I've always had a guitar in the house and music was always there, for me. I grew up jamming with my friends but I didn't take it seriously until X-Factor when I thought 'I can actually do this"! Music is so much fun!


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Declan Sykes: My biggest challenge is having everything prepared as I've worked with a few managers where it hasn't worked out and I felt that everyone was expecting miracles from me, coming from X-Factor. I didn't want to let down fans and that was the hardest part, for me.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Declan Sykes: My favourite part was recording, to be honest we got the band together, in a day and I only knew one guy in the band. When we went to the studio it was as if we'd known each other for years and we all worked really well together. Everyone in the band had suggestions that worked and we all tried new things and it was magical. It was the best experience to sit in the studio and make music with your new mates, it was the most rewarding thing I've ever done.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Declan Sykes: That's a very good question! It would be pretty sweet to work with The Arctic Monkeys but it's hard to pigeon hole to be honest; although Ed Sheeran would be amazing!


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?
Declan Sykes: http://declansykesband.com/news


Interview by Brooke Hunter