At 27, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sydnee Conley is stepping into the spotlight on her own terms. The queer artist, who uses she/her pronouns, has been writing for others in Music City for years. Now, she’s channeling her talent and perspective into her own music, starting with her newest single, “Heather.”
The song’s promotion instantly caught attention for its nod to the 1988 dark comedy Heathers, a cult favorite that follows a clique of popular girls and the chaos that ensues around them. In promo spots, Conley is featured with her head sticking out of a croquet pitch, much like Winona Ryder in the film’s opening sequence. For Conley, the reference runs deeper than aesthetics.
“Heathers was one of my favorite movies in high school,” she says. “I wasn’t allowed to watch much growing up, but when I got a laptop at 16, there was this whole new world of media at my fingertips. Then I just so happened to grow up and fall in love with a woman named Heather.”
When it came time to plan visuals for the single, Conley decided to weave the film’s vibe into the project. “I thought, how funny would it be to theme everything around the movie?” she says. “I also loved the soundtrack of the musical version. I auditioned for it years ago and didn’t get in. So this feels like getting to do it in my own way.”
A video for “Heather” is on the way, timed for release around Halloween.
“I’m beyond excited to share,” she says.
Finding her moment
Conley’s creative roots run deep. She grew up performing in theater and always loved music, but says she didn’t have a clear artistic identity until recently.
“It sounds silly, but I just haven’t known what I wanted until now,” she says. “I’ve always loved writing music and singing, but I never had a clear vision of myself as an artist until very recently. Now it’s there and I feel like diving in. At 27 I sometimes feel like I’m getting a late start, but it’s the right time for me and that’s what matters.”
Her sound, she says, sits somewhere between pop and lyrical storytelling. “It’s pop-leaning, lyrically driven, definitely influenced by theater, but not too heavy on that, I hope,” she says. “I just want to make things people can relate to.”
Queer pop’s momentum
The recent rise of queer pop stars hasn’t gone unnoticed by Conley, who feels a shift in how LGBTQ+ artists are received.
“Some of the queer artists making it big right now are doing a great job of being loud and proud while also making art that anyone can relate to,” she says. “If you’re straight, you can probably still connect to a song like Casual by Chappell Roan—we’ve all been there.”
That relatability, paired with visibility, feels especially urgent. “It’s such a difficult time for marginalized communities,” she says. “We need queer stories and voices to be heard now more than ever.”
What’s next
Conley promises more of what fans love about “Heather.” Expect catchy, heartfelt pop that balances emotional depth with fun, bold visuals.
“More upbeat yet emotionally deep songs,” she says. “And more cool visuals by Heather Hughes herself to go with them. Maybe an EP even? We shall see.”