The radical joy of Syd Hartha
It takes a certain level of strength to be vulnerable, especially as a musician. Fans expect glimpses of your life, piecing together who you are, what you stand for, and why. But for Filipino singer-songwriter Syd Hartha, creating such honest records comes naturally, as if taking pages from her journal and allowing the world to peek into her reasoning. She does exactly that with her latest single, damdamin!.
Speaking with Young STAR, Hartha shared how art serves to process her feelings, leading her to a place of self-acceptance and growth.
“I have this routine every night before I go to bed,” she explains, describing the ritual that grounds her. “Lagi akong nagjojournal, and doon ako magdudump ng thoughts ko.”
The singer-songwriter’s latest release ‘damdamin!’ invites us to embrace vulnerability and find happiness in the little things.
This routine has become more than just an emotional outlet for the singer. “Freestyle lang siya, pero ginagawa ko na rin siyang parang writing practice ko.” It’s in these moments that she often discovers the seed of a song. “May mga times na ‘pag binabasa ko ulit, may lines doon or parts na parang okay gawan ng kanta.”
Hartha adds that being vulnerable in her music is not something she plans. “I didn’t think, ‘Okay, my music has to be like this.’ But it comes out naturally because I’m like that as a person. I’m very straightforward and honest with my feelings.” Songwriting has become a means of expression, not just for her but for her fans as well, reminding them that they aren’t alone in what they’re feeling.
Compared to her earlier releases, the guitar-heavy damdamin! marks a noticeable shift in tone and approach. Co-produced by her frequent collaborator Brian Lotho, the track is lighter and more upbeat, contrasting with the dark and more emotional themes of her previous songs.
This evolution goes beyond sound. Hartha has also become more intentional about how she writes her music, keeping her growing audience in mind. “Since ngayon, mas dumadami na ‘yung listeners ko, mas nagiging mindful ako na i-balance ‘yung relatability for the listeners and ‘yung personal touch ko para hindi masyadong personal,” she explains.
As she looks ahead, she’s keeping things exciting, not just for herself but for her listeners, too. “For the future, all I can say right now is that it’s becoming part of an album, hopefully. They can expect more releases. New songs for sure, and new collaborations,” she teases with a grin.
But beyond the music, Hartha hopes damdamin! reminds listeners to truly feel and live every moment. “Ang pinakagusto kong makuha nila sa damdamin! ay sana ma-realize natin na we’re never gonna experience the same thing twice. And every time na happy ka or may nararamdaman kang masarap sa puso, talagang namnamin at damdamin mo,” she says, her words sharing the same honesty as her music.
With damdamin!, Hartha invites us to embrace vulnerability and find joy in the little things. Her artistry continues to evolve while staying deeply rooted in the heart, honesty, and humanity.
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damdamin! by Syd Hartha is available on all major streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
