Sydney Wayser

Sydney Wayser is a French-American multi-instrumentalist whose career bridges the gap between 2000s indie folk and modern electronic pop. Born to a French father and American mother, her dual heritage is foundational to her sound, particularly her use of piano which mirrors the phrasing of French icons like Serge Gainsbourg and Edith Piaf.

Her early albums, 'Silent Parade' and 'The Colorful', established her as a prominent voice in the New York chamber folk scene, characterized by minimalist arrangements and surreal, story-driven lyrics. Critics often compare her atmospheric restraint to Cat Power and her melodic depth to Fiona Apple. In the mid-2010s, Wayser underwent a significant stylistic shift, adopting the pseudonym CLARA-NOVA to explore more expansive, electronic-leaning indie pop. This era saw her become a staple in film and television sync licensing, with her distinctive covers appearing in trailers for 'Exodus: Gods and Kings', 'Spotlight', and 'Outlander'. Her work is defined by a consistent focus on 'found' emotions rather than 'sought' ones, resulting in a catalog that feels observational, candid, and elegantly composed.