SYML Starts Imprint FIN. Recordings, Shares First Single “The Walker”

Today, Seattle-based singer, songwriter, and producer SYML shares his new single, “The Walker.”  A moving anthem, the track layers minimal instrumentation and emotionally stirring vocals to crescendo in a cascade of choral refrains, strings, and ethereal soundscapes.  The track was written by Brian Fennell, aka SYML, and recorded and produced alongside longtime collaborator Brian Eichelberger, with textural additions from James McAlister (Sufjan Stevens, The National, Gracie Abrams) and the Budapest Scoring Orchestra.

When asked about the inspiration, Fennell notes, “ We carry burdens of all kinds, and no one can carry them for us. But as we walk through different seasons of life, if we’re lucky, we will have companions who walk with us. Whether it’s a parent, partner, friend, or even a child, they can encourage us and bring perspective to our walks. We also learn how to walk with others from those who walk with us. ‘The Walker’ is about compassionate love with no expectations. It’s the stillness that comes in the midst of pain where we choose to push through. It’s about finding ourselves along our way. ‘The Walker’ is all of us.”

“The Walker” is the first song to be released via Fennell’s new imprint, FIN. Recordings. The new venture is a collaboration with his longtime label, Nettwerk Music Group, and management team, Good Harbor Music. He explains, “ I have learned many things during my time in music. Keeping your head down and hustling works, honesty and ambition go hand in hand, and success will always be subjective. Like most people who work in the business of art, I have learned a lot from negative experiences. But that doesn’t compare to what I have gained from partnering with healthy, equitable, and beautiful minds. So, in the spirit of continuing to contribute positively to my community, I started FIN. Recordings.  There is so much good music that hasn’t been written, and this is my way to help support that. ” 

To go with the release, SYML shares the official video that contains never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage by director Dan Newman. It was collected during SYML’s largely sold-out headline world tour.

 WATCH + SHARE “THE WALKER”

With over one billion lifetime streams, SYML—Welsh for “simple”—makes music that taps into the instincts that drive us to places of sanctuary, whether that be a place or a person. Born and raised in Seattle, Fennell studied piano and became a self-taught producer, programmer, and guitarist. “The Walker” comes a year after SYML’s sophomore album, The Day My Father Died , which was recorded and produced with fellow Seattle-native Phil Ek (Band of Horses, Father John Misty, Fleet Foxes). The LP, his first to feature a full band, tells the story of growth and healing following the death of his adoptive father and features contributions from Elbow’s Guy Garvey, Lucius, and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek, and Charlotte Lawrence. It was released to critical acclaim, with NPR calling it “euphoric.”  The Day My Father Died followed his self-titled debut album in 2019, which included the platinum-selling song “Where’s My Love,” and the Gold Record fan favorite, “Girl.” 

SYML, a sought-after collaborator, was featured on Lana Del Rey’s track, “Paris, TX,” from her Grammy-nominated album Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, and recently worked alongside electronic artist George Fitzgerald, Latin Grammy-nominated Colombian alt-pop artist Elsa Y Elmar and indie darling Miya Folick.