SYML is the solo venture of Brian Leseney Fennell, who was previously part of the indie band Barcelona. SYML released his eponymous debut album on May 3, 2019, through Nettwerk Records.^[1]

Life and career

Brian Fennell was born on January 16, 1983, in Issaquah, Washington, and was adopted soon thereafter. From a young age, he began studying classical piano, often playing in his grandmother’s retirement home.^[2] He began writing his own music when he was 18 years old, his first song being used as a coping mechanism after the death of a schoolmate.^[3] After high school, he attended Seattle Pacific University^[4] and graduated with a degree in music education with an emphasis in percussion.^[3] After years of living in and around Seattle, he returned to his hometown and resides there where he writes and produces out of a home studio.^[5]

In 2005, Fennell finished his first solo album “Safety Songs.” By the end of that year, he formed the band Barcelona with Brian Eichelberger, Chris Bristol, and Rhett Stonelake. Their debut album Absolutes was released in 2007. Universal Records signed Barcelona in 2008 and re-released Absolutes with four new songs in 2009.^[6][7]

Fennell currently performs under the solo project SYML, Welsh for “simple” and pronounced “sim-muhl”, inspired by his own personal heritage from his biological parents, who are Welsh.^[2] His experience grappling with his adoption and heritage are influences in his songwriting.^[5]