Syml
Syml is the solo project of Brian Leseney Fennell, an American musician born on January 16, 1983, in Issaquah, Washington. He used to be part of the indie band Barcelona. The name Syml is Welsh for "simple," inspired by his Welsh heritage and his adoption.
He released his self-titled debut album as Syml on May 3, 2019, through Nettwerk Records. The standout track "Where's My Love" gained wide attention, later charting on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs list and earning Gold certifications in Canada and Belgium. In 2020 he released the wordless EP You Knew It Was Me.
In 2021 he issued the album Dim, inspired by his late father’s cancer diagnosis and the process of mourning. The title reflects that mood and theme across his work. His music has appeared in TV shows and films, including Teen Wolf and Adrift, and his song "Where's My Love" enjoyed significant exposure.
In 2023 he collaborated with Lana Del Rey on the song "Paris, Texas" for the album Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, which samples Syml's instrumental "I Wanted to Leave" from You Knew It Was Me. On February 3, 2023, Syml released his second album The Day My Father Died, produced by Phil Ek, featuring collaborations with Lucius, Guy Garvey, Sara Watkins, and Charlotte Lawrence. The album continues his exploration of loss.
In January 2025, Syml announced his third studio album Nobody Lives Here, which was released on April 4, 2025.
Personal life: He lives near Seattle, Washington, with his wife Marion and their three children. He studied classical piano from a young age and earned a degree in music education with an emphasis on percussion from Seattle Pacific University. His adoptive father’s death from cancer in 2021 inspired The Day My Father Died, a theme he continues to explore in his work.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 21:19 (CET).