January 20, 2023—“Chariot,” the new single from SYML—the solo project of singer, songwriter and producer Brian Fennell—debuts today—listen here. The track is taken from SYML’s forthcoming album, The Day My Father Died, set for release February 3 on Nettwerk—pre-save/pre-order here.
“Chariots are for royalty,” says Fennell. “They are golden and precious vessels reserved for people who deserve it. For this song though, I imagine my chariot to be a vessel of love and deliverance that carries me to a peaceful place. We recorded most of the album at Studio X in Seattle, which is an old church. A lot of the percussion and drum beat on this song were played on old church pews in the studio.”
Ahead of the new album, SYML performed four songs live on KEXP—watch/share the full session here.
In addition to “Chariot,” The Day My Father Died features previously shared tracks “Believer,” “Better Part of Me” featuring Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek, I’m With her), “Howling” featuring Lucius, “Lost Myself” featuring Elbow’s Guy Garvey, “You and I” featuring Charlotte Lawrence and “Sweet Home.” Recorded and produced in Fennell’s hometown with fellow Seattle-native Phil Ek (Band of Horses, Father John Misty, Fleet Foxes), the new LP is his first album to feature a full band. In addition, SYML will feature on Lana Del Rey’s forthcoming Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Boulevard.
Furthermore, SYML will embark on an international tour this spring, headlining venues across Europe. The dates will bring him to Amsterdam, Milan, Barcelona, Paris, London and more. Ahead of the tour, SYML will be in the U.K. for a run of select in-store performances to celebrate the new album—see full details below.
The Day My Father Died finds Fennell telling a story of interpersonal connection and chosen kinship following the death of his adoptive father in 2021. More a document of growth and healing than of loss, the album charts Fennell’s journey to figure out how to move forward after a fundamental and intractable shift in his life.
“The ever-expanding universe will always frighten and delight me, but the truly unbelievable shit happens down here at our human level,” Fennell says. “Losing my dad felt like running out of air. I still feel it in my gut. But this record is not about losing him, it’s about what happens after we have lost.”
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. He released his self-titled debut album in 2019, which included the platinum-selling song “Where’s My Love,” followed by the grief-stricken EP DIM released in 2021. After supporting Dermot Kennedy on his most recent U.S. tour in late 2021, SYML embarked on an extensive headline tour of his live album Sacred Spaces, performing in beautiful churches around the world. The tour saw him perform across North America and Europe, including sold out nights in London, Paris, and Amsterdam as well as three dates at L.A.’s Masonic Lodge and Montreal’s Corona Theater. The tour ended with a very special hometown show at Seattle’s St. Mark’s Cathedral, bringing SYML back to where the project began. His music has been featured in countless movies, TV series and ad campaigns including Netflix’s original series “Behind Her Eyes,” which featured his version of “Mr. Sandman” as the title track.
SYML—THE DAY MY FATHER DIED
1. Howling (featuring Lucius)
2. Believer
3. Laughing at the Storm
4. Sweet Home
5. Lost Myself (featuring Guy Garvey)
6. The Day My Father Died
7. Feel Your Pain
8. Tragic Magic
9. Chariot
10. Marion
11. Better Part of Me (featuring Sara Watkins)
12. Baby Don’t Lie
13. You and I (featuring Charlotte Lawrence)
14. Caving In
15. Corduroy
SYML LIVE
IN-STORE PERFORMANCES
- February 2—London, U.K.—Rough Trade East
- February 3—Kingston, U.K.—Banquet Records
- February 4—Liverpool, U.K.—Jacaranda
- February 5—Edinburgh, U.K.—Assai
TOUR DATES
- March 9—Amsterdam, Netherlands—Paradiso
- March 10—Cologne, Germany—Bürgerhaus Stollwerck
- March 11—Antwerp, Belgium—De Roma
- March 13—Milan, Italy—Circolo Magnolia
- March 14—Zürich, Switzerland—Kaufleuten Festaal
- March 15—Munich, Germany—Ampere
- March 17—Vienna, Austria—Porgy & Bess
- March 18—Warsaw, Poland—Praga Centrum
- March 19—Berlin, Germany—Heimathafen Neukölln
- March 20—Hamburg, Germany—Uebel & Gefaehrlich
- April 15—Madrid, Spain—Independence Club
- April 16—Barcelona, Spain—Razzmatazz Room 2
- April 18—Paris, France—Le Trabendo
- April 19—London, U.K.—KOKO
- April 20—Bristol, U.K.—Thekla
- April 22—Manchester, U.K.—Manchester Academy 3
- April 23—Glasgow, U.K.—King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
- April 25—Dublin, Ireland—The National Concert Hall