Sylvia Niewinski: The Unmistakable Voice That Put Scarlet Sins on the Map

Some voices don’t just get heard—they leave a mark. Sylvia Niewinski’s voice is one of them. Described as "phone-sex-operator meets Layne Staley", her deep, sultry contralto cuts through the noise, turning heads and demanding attention. It’s no surprise that Scarlet Sins was shortlisted for four Grammy Awards thanks in large part to her unforgettable vocals.

A Voice That Caught the Grammys’ Attention

Scarlet Sins’ self-titled debut album made waves in the rock world, earning a place on the 51st Grammy Awards shortlist in four major rock categories:

• Best Rock Album – Scarlet Sins

• Best Original Rock Song – Drown

• Best Hard Rock Performance – Drown

• Best Hard Rock Performance – Strangelove (a Depeche Mode cover on steroids

For an independent Canadian band, getting recognized by the Recording Academy was no small feat. And at the core of that recognition was Sylvia’s voice—a force that blurred lines and broke expectations.

A Voice Born From Firelight

Sylvia’s musical journey started as a child, long before Grammy shortlists or studio recordings. In her family, staying up late at gatherings came with one condition: you had to sing around the fire. That tradition laid the foundation for a lifelong passion. She grew up immersed in church hymns and Polish folk songs, shaping her ability to infuse raw emotion into her music.

Finding Her Sound

As a teenager, Sylvia idolized Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, drawn to his powerful, soaring vocals. Over time, she also fell in love with the voices of Bonnie Tyler, Jeannette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde), Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes), Janis Joplin, and Annie Lennox. Each influence played a role in shaping her style, but eventually, she forged her own path.

“Don’t have idols. Be your own idol,” she says. “And don’t have a backup plan. Those put doubt in your mind, and then you start to tell yourself that you aren’t good enough or that you aren’t worthy.”

A Sound Unlike Any Other

One thing that has always set Sylvia apart is the mystery of her voice. Many listeners couldn’t tell if they were hearing a man or a woman—a testament to the depth and power of her contralto.

Scarlet Sins’ guitarist, Cristina Canas, put it best:
"It was obvious to me that it was a female voice, but it was unlike any I had heard. While most female singers sound very girly, hers was a true rock voice."

To match Sylvia’s rich, low vocal range, Scarlet Sins tunes down their guitars to C# standard and even Drop B—tunings more common in heavy metal than traditional rock. Her voice doesn’t just fit the music; it shapes it.

Music That Comes From Feeling

For Sylvia, songwriting isn’t just a process—it’s an experience. Melodies and lyrics don’t come to her in structured patterns; they arrive as feelings, as waves of emotion that demand to be expressed.

Her ability to channel raw, unfiltered emotion is exactly what makes Scarlet Sins’ music resonate so deeply. Whether delivering haunting, melancholic melodies or fierce, powerful rock anthems, Sylvia doesn’t just sing—she commands.

🔥 Hear it for yourself. Check out our latest music and experience the voice that put Scarlet Sins on the map.