Suedecouch recently released her latest single, "Bestie," a track that came out of a Soundstripe SYNC Camp. Below is an abbreviated version of her Soundstripe interview, edited for length and clarity.
The Interview
Where did the name Suedecouch come from?
Suedecouch was actually my very first username when I downloaded Instagram in middle school. I wanted something androgynous, an inanimate object that's just unexpected. It stuck. When I became a full-time artist I changed my name to Sounds Like Ysa, but Suedecouch never left. It was always a part of me. I'm a Capricorn, very soulful and spiritual. But Suedecouch is like, if I was a Scorpio or something, she is the most outrageous, extroverted, hyperpop, hip-hop, aggressive version of me. That's where Suedecouch lives sonically too.
What was the brief for "Bestie" and how did you interpret it?
The brief was about platonic love, friendship and family love. I realized I'd never written a song about my friends. I've written so many love songs. I thought, I really love my friends so much, why haven't I written for them? So I took that idea and ran with it.
What artists influenced the sound of "Bestie"?
I had so much inspiration. I wanted a girl group vibe: Destiny's Child, FLO, Chloe x Halle. And then I had to throw it back. Some of the flows are giving Mary J. Blige, Eve. I want everyone to hear that influence in the song.
How has producing shaped the way you make music?
I got into producing because I went to college for audio engineering. Before that I was just a singer-songwriter. Producing changed the trajectory of my entire career. Before, I felt like I was walking in a big city with my guitar, just trying to figure out where I was. Learning how to produce, I became an architect. I was building condominiums. It gave me the power, the authority, and the skill set to create the world I live in vocally.
Why is "Bestie" a strong fit for sync licensing in film, TV, and advertising?
Bestie has energy. I had so much fun making it and that joy is infused in the song, so when you hear it, you feel it too. Authenticity is so important in sync. You can tell I was having fun, and people will feel that.
What's coming next?
I'm releasing R&B songs this year that are really precious to my soul, and those will come out under my personal name, Sounds Like Ysa. All of my most fun projects, where I get to play characters within myself, that will be here on Suedecouch.
Listen to "Bestie" on Soundstripe
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