Sycco

Sycco
Birth nameSasha McLeod
Born (2001-08-26) 26 August 2001 (age 23)[1]
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • production
Years active2018–present
Labels
Websitesyccoworld.com

Sasha McLeod (born 26 August 2001), known professionally as Sycco (SIGH-co[3]), is an Australian singer-songwriter and producer from Brisbane. She was nominated for Triple J Unearthed Artist of the Year in 2020, having released the pop singles "Nicotine" and "Dribble" in the same year.

Early life

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McLeod grew up in Brisbane, Queensland.[4] McLeod is Indigenous Australian, having reconnected with her Indigenous identity through her Torres Strait Islander descent in her teens.[4]

Career

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McLeod's father taught her to play the guitar at seven years old. She began making music from an early age, having created an album at the age of 15,[4] and adopted the artist name Sycco as a reference to psychedelia.[5]

Sycco's debut single "Starboard Square" was released in August 2018.[5] She also released "Tamed Grief" and "Peacemaker" in 2019.[3] In 2020, Sycco released the singles "Nicotine" and "Dribble", leading her to be nominated for Triple J Unearthed Artist of the Year at the J Awards of 2020.[6]

Sycco has performed at St Jerome's Laneway Festival,[1] and supported Vera Blue, Spacey Jane and Glass Animals on tour.[4] She also covered Tame Impala and Pnau for Like a Version.[7]

In March 2022, Sycco released "Superstar". Of the song, McLeod said “I’m really proud of this song... the lyrics are satirical obviously – I used to work at a grocery store and it was fun to imagine a glowed-up future me having a tantrum in there."[8]

In September 2022, Sycco released "Ripple". In a press release, McLeod said the track was "really fun" to make and "came together super quickly". McLeod said Flume and Chrome Sparks "did such a great job on the prod[uction]", developing what she describes as "a beautiful environment of synths and drums that evoke such a nice feeling of ease but also discomfort at points".[9]

In July 2024, Sycco announced the forthcoming release of their debut album, Zorb.[10]

Discography

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Albums

[edit]
List of albums, with release date and label shown
Title Album details
Zorb

Extended plays

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List of EPs, with release date and label shown
Title EP details
Sycco's First EP

Singles

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As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot

[12]
"Starboard Square"[5][13] 2018 Non-album singles
"Tamed Grief"[3][14] 2019
"Peacemaker"[3][15]
"Nicotine"[16] 2020
"Dribble" Sycco's First EP
"Germs"[17]
"My Ways"[18] 2021 26
"Time's Up"[11]
"Past Life"[19]
"Weakness"
(with Alice Ivy)[20]
TBA
"Superstar"[8] 2022
"Jinx"[21]
"Ripple"[9]
(featuring Flume and Chrome Sparks)
37 Zorb
"I'd Love to Tell You"[22] 2024
"Swarm"[23]
"Touching and Talking"[10]
"Monkey Madness"[24]
[edit]
List of singles, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Album
"Love Affairs"
(DJ Picolo featuring AJ Mitchell and Sycco)[25]
2021 Non-album single

Promotional singles

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List of promotional singles, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Album
"Embrace"
(Triple J Like a Version)[26]
2020 Non-album singles
"Dribble"
(Live for Like a Version)[27]
2021

Awards and nominations

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APRA Awards

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The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 herself Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominated [28][29]
2023 "Superstar" Most Performed Alternative Work of the Year Nominated [30]

AIR Awards

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The Australian Independent Record Awards (known colloquially as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Herself Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year Nominated [31][32]
2022 "Weakness" (with Alice Ivy) Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single Nominated [33][34]

ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual award ceremony event celebrating the Australian music industry.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 Zorb Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist Pending [35]

J Awards

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The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Herself Unearthed Artist of the Year Nominated [36]
2024 Zorb Australian Album of the Year Nominated [37]

National Indigenous Music Awards

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The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 Herself Artist of the Year Nominated [38][39]
"Dribble" Song of the Year Nominated
"My Ways" Film Clip of the Year Nominated

Queensland Music Awards

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The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only) Ref.
2021 "Dribble" Song of the Year Won [40]
Pop Song of the Year Won
2022 "My Ways" Song of the Year Won [41]
Pop Song of the Year Won
2023 "Ripple" Electronic / Dance Award Won [42]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Sycco Is an Infectious Dose of Sonic Sunshine / Ones To Watch". Ones To Watch.
  2. ^ a b "Rising Bedroom Pop Singer Sycco Signs With Future Classic: Exclusive". Billboard.
  3. ^ a b c d "Sycco shares new single and video 'Nicotine'". NME Australia. 17 March 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Byrne, Declan (15 July 2020). "Meet Sycco: From milkshakes with Mallrat to the Laneway main stage". triple j.
  5. ^ a b c ""I'm excited by the unknown": Brisbane's SYCCO Talks New Single "Dribble" & Making Colorful Music". 6 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Baker Boy, Sycco, And More Are Dropping Live Sets On TikTok For NAIDOC Week". Junkee. 9 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Excuse me but Sycco just delivered one of this year's best Like A Versions with a PNAU/Tame Impala mashup". Purple Sneakers. 12 November 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Sycco Shares New Single, "Superstar"". Prelude Press. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  9. ^ a b Robinson, Ellie (23 September 2022). "Sycco links up with Flume and Chrome Sparks on dizzying new single 'Ripple'". NME. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "SYCCO Announces Debut Album 'Zorb' + Releases New Single 'Touching and Talking'". Good Call Live. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  11. ^ a b Brereton, Greta (21 May 2021). "Check out Sycco's confident new single 'Time's Up'". NME Australia. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  12. ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
  13. ^ "Starboard Square – Single by Sycco on Apple Music". Apple Music. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Tamed Grief – Single by Sycco on Apple Music". Apple Music. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Peacemaker – Single by Sycco on Apple Music". Apple Music. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Nicotine – Single by Sycco on Apple Music". Apple Music. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  17. ^ "Germs – Single by Sycco on Apple Music". Apple Music. 18 November 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  18. ^ "My Ways – Single by Sycco on Apple Music". Apple Music. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Sycco named as Apple Music's latest Up Next Local artist". The Music Network. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  20. ^ "First Play: Alice Ivy & Sycco collab 'Weakness' showcases their combined strengths". ABC. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  21. ^ "Listen to Sycco's new single "Jinx"". NME. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  22. ^ "Sycco – I'd Love to Tell You". Fem Music. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  23. ^ "SYCCO'S Sonic World Glimmers On 'Swarm'". Good Call Live]. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Sycco Gears Up for Debut Album with 'Monkey Madness'". Rolling Stone. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Love Affairs (feat. Sycco & AJ Mitchell) – Single by DJ Picolo on Apple Music". Apple Music. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  26. ^ "Embrace (triple j Like a Version) – Single by Sycco on Apple Music". Apple Music. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Dribble (Live for Like a Version) – Single by Sycco on Apple Music". Apple Music. 12 March 2021. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Nominees Revealed for 2022 APRA Music Awards". The Industry Observer. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  29. ^ "40th APRA Music Awards celebrates songwriting superstars". APRA AMCOS. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  30. ^ "Nominees revealed for the 2023 APRA Music Awards". APRA Awards. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  31. ^ "Details confirmed for 2021 AIR Awards as nominees announced". The Music. 2 June 2021. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  32. ^ "2021 AIR Awards Winners". Scenstr.com.au. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  33. ^ "Nominees Announced For AIR Independent Music Awards 2022". musicfeeds. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  34. ^ Tyler Jenke (5 August 2022). "Genesis Owusu Wins Big At The 2022 AIR Awards". MusicFeeds. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  35. ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  36. ^ Fuamoli, Sose (2 November 2020). "Here are your nominees for the 2020 J Awards!". Triple J. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  37. ^ Varvaris, Mary (1 November 2024). "Amyl And The Sniffers, Speed, Emily Wurramara Lead 2024 J Award Nominees". The Music. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  38. ^ Cashmere, Paul (8 July 2021). "NIMA Nominees Revealed". noise11. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  39. ^ "The Kid LAROI, JK-47 lead National Indigenous Music Award winners". ABC. 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  40. ^ "2021 Queensland Music Awards Winners". Scenestr. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  41. ^ "2022 Queensland Music Awards Winners". Scenestr. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  42. ^ "Thelma Plum, Ball Park Music win top gongs at 2023 Queensland Music Awards". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
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