Women Who Rock Columbus: Syd
The next fabulous woman highlighted in the series is a singer/songwriter with a voice that can shake walls from a mile away. A true vocal powerhouse with a unique style and presence that fills the room just like her voice. She is the lead singer of Austin & The Syd Experience, a local Columbus band bringing the funk, rock & roll, and groove. Don’t get it confused though, because ASYD Funk is a genre non conforming force sent to move your soul and your feet.
Allow me to introduce you to Syd!
Syd, of Austin & The Syd Experience
She is the Syd in Austin & The Syd Experience. She brings joy, soul, and magic to any performance space she hits. Her larger than life energy is the catalyst that kicks off your experience when you catch ASYD. If the mood is right, she can even make you cry when the lyrics hit your heart like they did to myself the very first time I saw the band in October of 2024.
Without further ado, let’s get to know a little bit more about Syd and her role in the Columbus scene.
1. What sparked your love of music?
“I've always been very musically inclined ever since I could remember. I new I wanted to be a singer as my career choice lol. I grew up singing in church and I was between the ages of 12-14 when I discovered what I would call "my music" which included Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz and Queen. I was floored. I wanted to make music like these incredible artists so I set my mind to do so.”
Syd performing with ASYD at Comfest. June 2025
2. How long have you been performing?
“I've been performing professionally for about 6 years now (2019) I started out in a cover band and then 2020 came along and I was out of the musical loop for a little bit.”
3. Talk about Austin & The Syd Experience and your involvement.
“I met Austin (Guitarist for ASYD) back in 2019 around the same time I joined the aforementioned cover band. We had talked about playing a couple shows together but we were both in different projects at the time. Fast forward to 2022, I had just left my job at the thrift store and he hits me up about possibly forming a band together. I was like, "okay, yeah that sounds cool" lol. We started out playing a mix of 70s rock and roll covers (Humble Pie, Stones, etc). In 2023, we began to write original music and that was really exciting for me because I've always written songs ever since I was kid. I was happy that I finally had the opportunity to write and have people listen to my lyrics. I'm a bit of a wordsmith so I really have a fun time getting creative in that department. I write all the songs then bring them to my guys and they work their musical magic! It's so cool hearing our work come to fruition right before us.”
4. If you had the opportunity to perform or collaborate with one artist, living or dead, who would it be and how has their influence shaped you as a musician?
"If I had the chance to collaborate with an artist who is deceased, it would most definitely be Prince because he has had the biggest influence on me out of anyone who has ever existed lol. He was my Lord and Savior of music. As far as living artists, my dream collab would be Lenny Kravitz and Brittany Howard from The Alabama Shakes. All three of us just going crazy on some fire rock and roll track!”
Syd in front of her booth before taking the stage at Comfest. She, along with her sister ran the booth for 10 years before deciding it was time to pursue other dreams.
5. What is a dream gig either local or national you'd love the opportunity to be a part of?
“Hmm, I think my dream gig would probably be to open for Marcus King! He's so amazing and we're the same age. I always get really excited when I find someone my age who likes the same music I do because I feel like I have the musical taste of an old man lol.”
6. If you weren't a musician, what else could you see yourself doing?
“If I wasn't a musician, I would definitely still be in a field where I could still be creative. Like maybe doing burlesque or designing costumes for theater productions.”
Syd and Austin of Austin & The Syd Experience on the BOZO stage at Comfest. June 2025
7. What is one thing you want the world to know about Syd?!
“One thing I want the world to know about Syd is that I've never been "conventional" or "typical". I've always been kind of the odd one out, especially in certain settings. I've been made fun of for some of the things that I like (rock music, being a hippie, dressing the way that I do, etc) but you know what? That's alright. I let my freak flag fly proudly these days and I'm grateful to be surrounded by people who love me for me. Side note- I make a lot of my stage attire!”
8. Any words of advice for other women trying to make it in the music business?
“If I had to give any advice to women trying to make it in the music industry is always have your guard up and never feel the need to compare yourself to another female artist. Find "you" and become really good at being "you".”
A little note from the writer here, I’ve had the chance to get to know Syd a little bit through my opportunities working with her and the band and I want everyone to know that not only is she incredibly talented, she is also just the most radiant human as well. She always gives my soul a boost, even when I don’t realize I need it, so if you are out at a show and afterwards are debating like “omg I want to go say hi but I’m so intimidated”…. do yourself a favor and go say hi! You’ll never regret it. She is truly a great soul.
Many thanks to Syd for taking time out of her day at comfest to take part in this series!
As always, if you’d like to experience ASYD (Austin & The Syd Experience) for yourself, click the links below and give them some love.
https://austinandthesydexperience.com/home
https://www.instagram.com/austinandthesydexperience/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAvTmNRB74OIqhezqW6TUtg
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UQPFZdmmBIwISHBPRptUB
OR if you’d like to catch them IN PERSON so you can dance your heart out, they still have some upcoming shows this summer….
July 21st @ Half Baked Brewery
July 26th @ Stargazer Festival
August 9th is a double header: 1:30PM @ Hippie Fest and then 8pm @ Natalie’s Grandview opening for Nikki Hill
August 10th @ Goodale Park for the Goodale Park Music Series
Fall shows are listed on their Instagram page which is linked above.
Thanks for reading this edition of WWRC, and until next time:
Peace, Love and Support Your Local Girl Gang!