Syntax Creative is moving its headquarters from San Diego to Nashville, bringing the independent music distributor closer to many of its clients and industry partners.

The company has operated from Southern California throughout its development from a record label into a digital distribution and marketing business.

However, Syntax Creative CEO Timothy J. Trudeau said Nashville had gradually become the more practical home for its next chapter.

“After 20 years of hearing people say, ‘That’s my favorite city,’ when they found out where I’m from, I finally get to move to my favorite city,” Trudeau said. “It’s time to think less about the weather and more about what would be best for our clients and our respective families.”

Syntax Creative Moves Closer to Clients

Trudeau has traveled to Nashville for business since 2001, sometimes making the trip twice in one month.

Many Syntax clients are based in and around Music City. In addition, digital companies including Google, Apple and YouTube maintain offices in Nashville.

Operating outside Nashville once gave Syntax a useful distance from the traditional music business. Over time, though, that physical separation became less practical as the company’s roster and partnerships expanded.

The move will also reduce the amount of time Trudeau spends traveling away from his wife and four children.

“Moving to Tennessee allows me to be closer not only to our clients and partners but more importantly, to my wife and four kids,” Trudeau said. “Less travel means more time at home with my family.”

Nashville Brings Relationships Within Reach

Brandon Musser, Syntax Creative’s vice president of operations, said the relocation will make longstanding relationships easier to maintain in person.

“We’ve had years of deep relationships with people that we only meet once in a while,” Musser said. “I’m looking forward to having closer proximity and the ability to meet more often. And on a personal note, it’ll be nice not to have to water my lawn.”

Nashville’s central location also gives Syntax easier access to clients and industry events throughout much of the country.

Meanwhile, Tennessee’s lower cost of living compared with California added another practical reason for the move.

A Family Move as Well as a Business Move

For Trudeau, the relocation represents more than a change of office address.

His family arrived in San Diego after previous generations pursued new opportunities of their own. As a result, he said remaining there simply because it was familiar would run against that example.

“They had the guts to risk it all and make major moves,” Trudeau said. “Who am I to live off the fumes of their hard work without contributing my own effort to this cause?”

Syntax Creative represents more than 130 independent record labels and nearly 60,000 songs.

The company expects to complete its move to Tennessee in the coming weeks.

See Syntax Creative’s announcement about the Nashville move.