Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Wells.
Hi Sydney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in a small town outside of Memphis, TN. My mom was a stay at home mom who homeschooled my siblings and I, and my dad was a pastor of a small church. My family and I went on a lot of walks around our neighborhood and went camping a bunch. We were very involved in the church my dad pastored at, and Jesus was the center of our lives for sure (and still is!). When I was about 13, my grandmother got diagnosed with stage 4 COPD and was given very little time left to live. So my family packed up our house and moved to Rome, GA to take care of her as her health declined. She actually ended up living 5 or 6 more years, and living near and with her are some of my fondest memories. I witnessed the power of prayer in physical healing, seeing her recover from many “death’s doorsteps” moments due to fervent petition to the Lord for His mercy; and I witnessed the power of prayer in spiritual healing, watching as my grandmother and several of my other relatives put their faith in Jesus and His work on the Cross. We lost my uncle, grandfather, and grandmother over those years, but though physical death was happening, eternal life was being given by our gracious God in an infinitely more lasting way 🙂 My dad continued to pastor in GA, and my mom got a teaching job at a private christian school in the area where my siblings and I started attending. I graduated HS in 2021, and decided to go to Anderson University in SC for their Commercial Music program. I have loved to sing and write songs my entire life, but I never thought pursuing a degree or career in music was even a possibility. But by God’s grace and favor, I got into the music program at AU, and thus began my crazy musical endeavors! Over my time at AU, I got to do some pretty awesome things. I was featured in the President’s Gala as a freshman singing an original song called “Rest.” I made it into “AUthenticity,” the university’s premiere commercial ensemble, and we played countless gigs and concerts. We traveled to the Darlington Raceway and performed there twice. I had original songs featured in every semester concert. I wrote, recorded, and released several singles and most recently an EP called “Daylight” on spotify. I was featured in the Gala again my senior year, and I wrote a song called “Please Come Home” that was selected for AU’s Audio 316 Records Label. I am also a member at Grace Church and have served and interned on the worship team over the last 3ish years. I graduated from AU in May, and now work as a worship resident at Grace church for at least the next year, still living in Anderson with 2 dear friends. I am praying through where the Lord wants me next. I would really like to move to Nashville to pursue a career in songwriting, but I also love my church and the Upstate. I want to go wherever the Lord leads. He has been so faithful and poured out His blessings upon me, and I know that if I seek Him, His Kingdom, and His righteousness FIRST, then He will take care of the rest 🙂
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not smooth at all! I think the main struggle for me has been dealing with so many vocal health issues. As someone who sings a lot, it’s very disheartening and confusing when your main tool is in pain or fatigued or failing. There have been so many times where I’ve cried from frustration, realizing that I’m ultimately not in control of this thing I love to do. But learning that my voice has never been mine, it is the Lord’s and He can do with it what He sees fit, has been a challenging but freeing process!
Also, just knowing which next steps to take is so hard. I want to be faithful to the Lord, but sometimes I do not know what the right thing is. Is moving to Nashville wise? Am I afraid? Do I have the money? Should I do full time ministry? Are these dreams from You, Jesus, or from me? I’m always questioning if I’m on the right path.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a vocalist/songwriter. I have been writing songs since I was about 7 and haven’t stopped since! I mostly write singer/songwriter ballads, but I do love a pop/rock anthem. I am a 4 on the eneagram so introspection and identity is a big theme in all my songs. I love playing in a band. Whether that’s a cover band, a wedding band, a worship band, or a trio, making music with my friends is one of the greatest joys of my life! I am most proud of my first EP “Daylight.” I released it this May, and it is basically just a compilation of love letters to Jesus. I went through a very dark season in my life my junior year of college, and those songs were what came out on the other side. God held me through that season and brought me into His glorious Light, and I hope listeners are encouraged by the Lord’s faithfulness and nearness in the darkest night.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
A growing relationship with the Lord. In the arts, it is far too easy to allow your career to become your identity. You’re pouring you heart and soul into everything you do. A piece of who you are is grafted into everything you create. But take it from someone who has given her all to her passions and giftings and come up dry– it can’t be your identity. Christ has to be your identity. When you know who Jesus is– good, beautiful, in control, the One worthy of all the glory– and you know who you are– seen when no one else sees, loved even though you are unlovable, chosen for a purpose– you are free to create, share, be vulnerable, fail, voice crack, move to Nashville and become the next Taylor Swift or move back in with your parents cause you can’t afford rent with this lifestyle. A growing relationship with Jesus allows you to fearlessly pursue the dreams He’s given you, surrender to His plan because He is God, be content with a small life because He sees you, and give Him all the glory because every good and perfect gift is from the Lord.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sydwells.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syd.joylea.wells/
- Soundcloud: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HTjQRUv0q1bDgPgqKHx4x
- Other: https://linktr.ee/syd.joylea.wells
