Introducing… K-Syran

K-Syran
K-Syran

K-Syran: “It’s performing that I love, in theatre or in music. It’s important for me to express myself.”

Get to know the Norwegian singer, actress and playwright whose dance-pop fusion is influenced by everything from classical to country

Name: Katrina Syran

Age: 41

Location: London, Geneva and Oslo

Style: Dance-pop with classical, jazz and country influences

Look out for: K-Syran’s latest single You Don’t Love Me Anymore is out now on M:89 Records


Norwegian Katrina Syran – known musically as K-Syran – is a singer-songwriter who originally trained as an actress and received acclaim for her achievements on stage and screen, including working in the West End and The Young Vic, as well as writing plays and directing. But, whilst singing in each of her productions, Katrina’s vocal ability got her noticed and, with a professional drummer as a father, she was already inspired by music from a very young age. As Katrina recalls: “He plays every instrument you can imagine, so singing and having to entertain was his business, and it’s performing that I love, in theatre or in music. It’s important for me to express myself.”

Having lived, studied and worked in London for several years, Katrina relocated to Switzerland where she found “they’re so much more into their music” and started working with a group, which inspired her to write her own music and lyrics. “I think it’s a wonderful way of expressing and hoping that you reach other people with your lyrics, that they recognise in their life,” says Katrina and goes on to explain how she became a solo artist and K-Syran: “I did an indie album in Switzerland and then I was recognised by Paul Sutton, who has worked with Phil Collins and other big artists. He heard that and that’s how my second album came about.” When asked about her songwriting process when it comes to lyrics, Katrina reveals her self-discipline and compulsion to create, saying: “Melody will come to me suddenly, but lyrics I write every day. It’s really a habit now, I don’t think I could go a day without writing something.”

“I PLAY THE PIANO AND A FEW SONGS ON THE BANJO”

K-Syran describes her sound as dance-pop, recalling that, “a friend of mine said to me it’s an album you’d play before going out, to get in the mood”. This comes from her love of Ibiza-oriented dance music from producers like David Guetta, and has been reinforced by three K-Syran single releases – You Don’t Love Me Anymore, Heartless and Intimacy – being successfully remixed by the likes of Mark Loverush and reaching the Top 10 of the dance charts. However, her solo material also has classical, jazz and rock influences and this fusion of styles emerges from Katrina’s eclectic musicality: “I play the piano and a few songs on the banjo. I love country music, but I also love jazz and I sing opera. I think it’s all good music.”

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Alongside her blossoming solo music career in 2015, K-Syran has also made waves on the global arts and humanitarian scene this year, writing the play Breaking The Silence for Human Rights Watch, which was nominated for Best Play at the Global Summit To End Sexual Violence In Conflict organised by Angelina Jolie and William Hague.

With the play, an album and impending tour, along with a film coming out in a next few months, this continues to be a busy year for K-Syran. “It’s been non-stop, but I love it, it’s like I’m living my dream,” says Katrina, excitedly. “As my husband said to the kids: ‘This is mummy’s turn, so you’ve got to be supportive!’ They’re sad I’m not home all the time, but at the same time they’re very proud.”


Recorded at London’s Metropolis Studios, K-Syran’s latest single You Don’t Love Me Anymore is out now on M:89 Records. To find out more about K-Syran’s music, shows and other projects, visit ksyran.com


K-Syran

Katrina Syran: “I write every day. It’s really a habit now, I don’t think I could go a day without writing something.”




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