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Phoenix-based indie singer-songwriter Sydney Sprague has just released her latest album, somebody in hell loves you, and it ROCKS. The eleven-track body of work follows 2021's maybe i will see you at the end of the world, which caught the attention of Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, Oso Oso, and The Front Bottoms, who brought her out on tour for a bunch of their runs. On somebody in hell loves you, Sydney channels her sadness, anxiety, and existential dread through driving guitars, shimmering melodies, and the deceptively sweet weapons of indie pop-rock and keen observation.

Self-aware with a knowing injection of dark humor, her songs summon the best of 90s alt-rock and classic power-pop without sacrificing a melancholy befitting of the end times. Her music is intimate, vulnerable, confrontational, autobiographical, and uplifting. Her sophomore record, somebody in hell loves you, is as devilishly saccharine as the title implies, boldly accessible and intelligent.

The Noise had the chance to talk further with the rising artist about the album's creation process, how she copes with the stress of being vulnerable, and what she's looking forward to.

Tell me about the beginning stages of making somebody in hell loves you. Did you set out with the goal to make a full-length, or were you creating and writing and found yourself with this emerging cohesive body of work?

Sydney Sprague: I wrote a lot of the record during lockdown in 2020. At that time, I was just experimenting a lot and writing to keep myself occupied, so I wasn't necessarily thinking about the record as a whole, just trying to have fun making songs!

Can you share some of your influences and inspirations during the record's creation and how they ultimately express themselves throughout?

While we were in the studio working on the record, we talked a lot about 2000s indie rock, like Phoenix & Bloc Party. I think that really came through in a lot of the production choices we made. It feels really nostalgic and fun to me!

What was the first and last song you wrote for the album, and how did you feel in both of those moments?

The first song I wrote for the album was "sketching lessons." It was during lockdown in 2020, and I was in the process of putting out my first record (maybe I will see you at the end of the world). I was feeling really freaked out about the state of the world and whether or not things would ever be "normal" again. I didn't know if I'd ever get to play shows or tour or make another record, but I really didn't want to wallow in that feeling, so I tried to write something hopeful (for once lol). The last song I wrote was "smiley face." It was after we'd toured with The Front Bottoms, and I was really inspired to write something that would be fun to play live.

What is one previously unreleased track that you're excited for people to hear? Personally, I LOVE "god damn it jane!"

Thank you so much!!! I'm also really excited about "god damn it jane." That one was a long time coming. It's a true story from a long time ago. I was spending Valentine's Day watching scary movies with a friend when we heard his neighbors having a screaming argument through the wall. The best part was when the guy yelled, "god damn it jane, I just wanted to dance on Valentine's Day". I love eavesdropping, and it was truly one of the funniest things I've ever heard, I'm still not over it.

What is your favorite music moment on the LP? This can be anything from a favorite lyric to a breakdown you love.

My favorite musical moment on the record is the guitar riff at the beginning of the first song, 'if i'm honest'. Originally, I imagined it as a horn section, but my guitar player Sebastien turned it into a really sick guitar part, and I think it's such a cool way to start the album.

What would you like to experiment more with in the future?

I'd like to do more writing with my band. I usually write songs on an acoustic guitar and demo them out up to a point myself, and then bring them to the guys to finish the arrangement. I think it would be really fun to try to work the other way around!

You wear your heart on your sleeve in so many of your songs. Songwriting and the creative process can be a very emotional and vulnerable thing to share with people. How do you ground yourself when you bare your soul and stumble on the thought, "oh god, people are going to hear this."

I try not to think about it too much! But it can be really hard. I do find it embarrassing sometimes to describe in more detail what songs are about 'cause it's all kind of there in the lyrics. It's hard to be more specific than that without actually naming names. I try to talk about my songs in as general terms as possible, so people can kind of make what they want out of them, but to people that know me personally, I'm sure it's pretty obvious what the songs are about

I know music is subjective, and I'm sure people are gonna get so much out of this album because it is SOOOO sick, but if you wanted listeners to take away anything from it, what would it be?

Thank you so much. Honestly, lately, I mostly turn to music as a distraction or a way to get out of my own head. There's so much horrible stuff happening everywhere all the time, I hope this album can help people escape from that for a few minutes.

What are you looking forward to or hoping for in the rest of 2023? Can also share answers that are unrelated to music!

I'm doing my first headline tour in November/December!! I'm really nervous and excited about that. I can't wait to play the new record live. Other than that, I'm looking forward to getting back to writing and starting the next thing!

Do you have a message for any old or new fans who could be reading this article?

Thank you for listening!! I never thought anybody would care about my songs (besides my parents), and it really means the world to me!

Be sure to check out Sydney Sprague's sophomore album, somebody in hell loves you, today!