about
the band
The Evergreens are an English indie band formed in Leeds, 2015. The group consists of Syd Novak (lead vocals, drums), Baron Smith (guitar), and Willow Thomas (bass). The Evergreens have been heralded as one of the most LGBT-friendly bands, every member being open about their experiences with being queer in the music industry.
The band's debut album 'Reborn' received major traction speaking about the difficulties of toxicity within friendships, families and relationships and how leaving to love yourself is the first step toward happiness. Their single 'This World Burns' was featured in Blockbuster film 'Fall of Time' and, when they were signed to Warner Brothers Studios, The Evergreens got their first ever big concert at Alexandra Palace which sold out.
The Evergreens have sold over 1.2 million records worldwide and became one of the first Warner Brother bands to be made up of entirely LGBT members. The band performed at Glastonbury Festival in 2017.
The band, formed in 2015, didn't begin as friends and, in fact, Syd and Willow disliked each other at school. All three were studying at Leeds University and, after meeting at a pub through mutual friends, Syd and Willow had an argument over a taxi, ended up sharing and got to talking in the cab. They realised that their similar tastes in music, films and celebrities was something positive and decided to put their old frenemy relationship behind them.
Baron joined the group a month later at a Christmas house where he'd borrowed a guitar and was just playing, a group people watching, Syd and Willow included. At the end of the evening Willow approached him and asked if he wanted to hang out with them and, in their second year of uni, the three moved in together alongside a few others from their uni. The band was formed when the group heard Syd singing to themselves in their room and Baron began strumming a guitar and the three decided that they wanted to start a band.
syd novak
Syd Novak, known affectionately as Clementine by fans, is the lead singer and drummer of The Evergreens.
Born in The Czech Republic, 6th January 1995, Syd moved to the UK alongside their family in 1999 at the age of four. From there, they began to embrace music, learning piano at a young age through their grandfather. They saw their first concert in a local pub at a family dinner and fell in love with music. It became their aspiration to perform.
At 9, they began taking singing lessons at school and started performing in a musical drama club, starring in Sister Act in 2006 as an extra. They also stood in as Billy Elliot the same year and calls it the best show they've performed in, despite having had a role as Matilda in the 2011 musical.
At 13, Syd began questioning their sexuality.
"Nobody really spoke about sexuality and gender so I felt quite alone. There was no one to compare myself to and I didn't want to talk to anyone cause I was nervous that I was different."
In 2014, Syd came out as non-binary, using pronouns they/them and legally changing their name to Syd the next year.
Novak has purposefully been open about talking about sexuality and gender as they grew up with very few queer role models, and wanted to be a representation for youths who may be questioning, similar to how she was.
"Being with people has never been a problem for me because I love whomever I love and my family were supportive.
"But gender has been a more difficult journey. A lot of self-doubt and dysphoria which took me a long time to get through. My family still sometimes struggle with my pronouns but, after a lot of explaining they now understand and accept me no matter what"
baron smith
Born 1st October 1994 in Illinois, Chicago, Baron was brought up in America for the beginning years of his life. It was only in 2002, after 9/11 that his family decided to move to the UK and settled in Hampshire.
Music has always been involved in Baron's life. From an early age, he was introduced to music through his father, who was a music teacher. Although he was given music lessons for saxophone at seven, Baron hated the instrument and it was only when his mother walked in on him trying to play the piano they had in their family home after moving to England, she realised that he preferred other instruments and they allowed him more freedom in his playing.
In 2006, at twelve, Baron began playing piano at concerts and became increasingly popular as a child prodigy in the instrument. Despite this, it was a dream of his to play in a band and he began to learn guitar just before he started university.
It was only in 2017 when he was 23, Baron began questioning his sexuality.
"I was immediately terrified. I'd had an idea about my sexuality when I was a lot younger but I literally hid it in the back of my mind and ignored it for years.
"But when I was older, I realised it wasn't something I had to hide. After meeting Syd and Willow, I realised that I didn't need to hide, that I'm allowed to express myself however I want."
Baron was very quiet about his sexuality however in comparison to his bandmates as his confidence in being himself did not stretch as far as to come out to his family. But it was in 2020 that he decided he was finally ready.
"If I learnt anything this year it's that life is too short. My parents don't really understand my sexuality and don't entirely support it, but they still love me and that's all I could ask for."
willow thomas
Willow Thomas, born 3rd May 1995, is a natural musician, having had a fascination for music from birth. At two years of age, she became obsessed with the drums, specifically the floor tom and was able to tell the difference between the drums, even at such a young age.
The gift of music she possessed led her on to learn a plethora of instruments, including the piano at age four. As she got older, Willow turned to more classical instruments, learning both the flute and piccolo in 2003 and picking up the saxophone that subsequent year.
Willow spent a lot of her childhood playing music and performing, specifically at youth concerts. However, at ten, in 2005, she started up a small band with her friends and it was then that she learnt how to play both the bass, guitar and ukelele. Although her natural gift for learning music aided her in learning the instruments, it was her passion for the bass that kept her playing it, allowing her to only become better as time went by.
On her thirteenth birthday, Willow received her own bass, an instrument she treasures and still uses to this day at concerts.
In 2010, at fifteen, Willow developed an interest in women, from a crush she had on a girl in her class. In tears, she confronted her older sister who reassured her she was valid and was a huge part in Willow learning to accept herself.
"Internalised homophobia made me fearful of how I was feeling which I didn't need to be. My family love me unconditionally, and that's what matters.
"I have two older sisters, one who's just gotten married to another woman, so my parents are pretty used to queer kids! Their main concern is our happiness so my sexuality was barely an issue, something I am eternally grateful for."