Celebrity Interview - Sy Kaye - Comments

Sy Kaye

Poster: 01/08/2007

REMEMBER THE NAME... IN THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW FOR H!, NICOLA McGEORGE PREDICTS THAT SY KAYE WILL BE ON EVERYONE'S LIPS IN 2008 - ONE TO WATCH AS THE NEXT BIG THING IN ROCK.

With record companies fighting to sign him, and one of America's biggest producers knocking on his door, you know he has to be good. Singer/songwriter Sy, who describes his style as British pop rock, has already played Glastonbury and Hyde Park, and supported the Fun Loving Criminals. When I first meet Sy, it was at his favourite place on the Coast: Heaven Beach. He certainly stands out from the crowd with his many tattoos, rock star hair and piercing blue eyes. These eyes alone will break the hearts of a thousand fans. He has a slight arrogance about him, but once he starts talking he is actually down to earth and very witty.
He has been coming to Marbella for the past three years, as his family have a place in Cancelada. As he explains, "I come here to get away from everything. I spend my days sitting by the sea with my guitar and writing songs. Being here helps me to reflect on the hardships of life."
So what made Sy want to get into the music industry? "I have always known that I wanted to be involved in music. I used to listen to '80s rock bands and it used to make me feel a certain way. I started off by writing poetry, then put it to music. It came naturally and made me feel worth something. I didn't fit in at school, hated taking orders, and instead of going to lessons I would sit on the school fields and write."
Over the years he taught himself to sing, write and play instruments. Always believing in himself, he pushed himself hard and began to network as much as possible. In 2000 he became a roadie for a variety of bands, which led to him meeting a booker for Glastonbury. After going to see one of Sy's gigs he booked him for Glastonbury. Sy breaks into a big smile when he recalls, "I was on the second main stage at Glastonbury; I was only 21 and unsigned. It was a proud moment for me." This was the start of bigger things. Next he played at Guildford Festival where he was given a better slot, and then went on to support the Fun Loving Criminals. Apparently the lead singer, Huey, isn't the hard man that he is made out to be. Sy explains, "Huey used to look after me. He was a very humble person and always made sure I felt involved in everything. The band used to take me out after gigs, and yes they really do know how to party."
Feeling that London was stifling his creative side, Sy decided to move to Brighton, where he felt he could be himself. Here he formed the band Little Wonder, and Parlophone paid for them to record and develop. It was while recording with the band that he met Pete Doherty and Kate Moss. "We were overlapped at the studio with the Babyshambles and we all went for a drink afterwards. Pete is a creative, nice guy, while Kate was quiet and very down to earth. Pete has a lot of hangers-on and I think this is what has halted his progress."
His mixing with the music greats doesn't stop there. Sy grew up with Amy Winehouse and they are still friends. As children he was very close to her brother, and spent a lot of time with Amy. Laughing, he says, "Amy was always fun and outspoken; everyone knew how talented she was." Another musician friend, and also an inspiration, is Dan Sells from The Feeling. They went to the same primary and secondary school. "I always knew he would make it. I remember listening to him play the piano when he was about 10 years old, and I couldn't believe how amazing he was at such a young age. I saw him about two months ago and he gave me backstage passes to his gig. It was a great show".
Things are good for Sy now, but it wasn't always that way. In fact, he is lucky to be here at all. At the age of one and again at seven he developed the rare Japanese disease Kawasaki syndrome, which is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. He was the first person in Britain to get it twice and it was only due to Professor M. Levin's treatment that he is alive today. Sy's eyes become dark as he describes what happened. "All my skin came off, and I had to stay on a drip in hospital for a year. I remember my Dad was trying to play with me, but the only part of my body I could move was my head, so he started throwing a soft ball to me so I could head it. It was all I could do."
Sy had no childhood as he was too ill to do sports or play with friends. He felt he was wrapped in cotton wool all of his life, and unable to express his anger about what he was going through, so when he hit 16 he exploded and rebelled, causing his family a lot of pain. He believes this is what is behind some of his darker lyrics, and writing has become his outlet for having his life messed up. "I want people to know how this disease affects people's lives. I want to bring greater awareness about Kawasaki."
Where does he see himself in five years time? "I want to be a recognised artist in my own right who appeals to all ages. I hope to be writing for other musicians such as Robbie Williams and to have collaborated with the likes of Elton John.
On a final note, what words of advice does Sy Kaye have for aspiring musicians out there? "Take every knock back, let it build you, and then hit them back harder."

For more information on Sy Kaye's music visit www.myspace.com/littlewonderband For information on Kawasaki syndrome: Kawasaki Support Group - Tel./Fax: 00 44 24 7661 2178 Our thanks to Nikki Beach for providing the venue for this photo shoot.

THE H! QUESTIONNAIRE

What smells do you remember from your childhood?
Christmas

What was your favourite subject in school?
Media

What person, still alive, do you admire most?
Professor Levin, who saved my life.

And not alive...?
Elvis

What's your idea of perfect happiness?
Lying in bed on a Sunday morning with my dog.

What element of modern life gives you the most problems?
Road rage

What's the worst thing about being a man?
Having to shave my beard, which is why I don't.

What word or phrase do you use most?
Walkies (to my dog).

What scares you most?
Losing people close to me.

What book would you always have in your library?
Celestine Prophecy

What's the last film you saw at the cinema?
Curse of the Golden Flower, which was awful.

What's the last CD you bought?
The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker

What's the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
What did I do the night before?

And the last thing you think about when you go to sleep at night?
What will my life will be like in 20 years?

What section of the paper do you read first each day?
Sport

How much time are you connected to the Internet each day?
One hour

What's one thing you don't leave home without?
Shoes

What alternative profession would you like to have taken up?
Chef or primary school teacher

If you could travel in time, what era would you choose?
1960s

What's the most exotic place you've visited?
Thailand

Favourite...
Number? 11
Colour? Blue
Animal? My dog
Flower? Gladiola
Sport? Football
Meal? Seafood pasta
Hobby/pastime? Writing music
Luxury? My iPod

Star sign - Gemini (31 May 1980)

Favourite joke?
An ice cream man was found lying dead on the floor of his van covered in hundreds and thousands; police said he topped himself.

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