Hear Our VSN: Gayun Cannon is Embracing the Sounds of Her Culture & Healing Souls
Gayun Cannon photographed by Jade Trazo
Whether Gayun Cannon is singing on having her weed and crystals or bringing together the sounds of her background into one, she is a force to be seen. Official VSN had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Gayun and diving deeper into what makes her the artist she is today and will be tomorrow.
Introduction:
Hello! My name is Gayun Cannon and I am a singer/song-writer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
Gayun Cannon from her Brown Sugar Baby era photographed by Mya Cavner
Genre of music you create:
I don’t particularly want to bind myself to a genre although for a simpler answer, I’d say RnB and Soul! To me, the sound I create is an influx of all my inspirations that I’ve gathered throughout my life which is Soul, RnB, and 80s-90s Chinese music.
Biggest Inspiration for your sound/art:
My biggest inspiration for my sound is honestly my experiences and the people around me. I tend to write about specific people and my experiences with them whether it’s a ex-partner or even just another form of myself such as my inner child. I’m a very emotional person and so whenever something very impactful happens to me, I have to release it into my music. That’s the only way I can really cope and process my emotions.
Dream Collaborators:
My top 3 dream collaborators definitely has to be Solange, KAYTRANADA, and Childish Gambino. These artists have had so much influence to the progression of my current sound and I know for a fact that they’re going to keep inspiring me for my future sounds.
Goals for your music this year leading into the next:
The goal for the end of this year which is soon haha will be to keep working on this new era of my music career. For next year, I again want to progress this era of my life and drop a project giving the world a full experience of my experience. I can be closed off at times personally but I am very open when it comes to releasing how I feel through my music.
Gayun Cannon photographed by Jade Trazo
How would you describe your work to someone who’s never heard it before:
I would describe my lyricism as emotional but in a relatable way. It took me so long to learn how to process things in a healthy way and understand that it takes a long time to process things. It does get faster when you have a method that works for you. But with my music as a whole, just know that I am heavy on instrumentation. I’ve been learning different instruments since the age of 4 and I will never stop coming up and adding different melodies within my songs. I incorporate a lot of soul in my tracks with heavy guitar and keys with the occasional addition of Chinese instruments to play a melody because I want to have an inclusion of both my cultures into one. Also, Chinese instruments are so cool and the tone of the erhu and guzheng reminds me of my childhood.
What makes your VSN unique:
My VSN is unique because my sound is an inclusion of both my cultures and upbringing. As far as I know, I don’t see many Chinese musical artists in the Chicago music scene and if there are, I would love to meet them! I grew up listening to Chinese music along with Blues and Soul artists from Motown and Stax Records. My family and upbringing are so important to me and I’ve made it my mission to successfully create a sound representing both sides. I want to be the first to create this legendary sound because who will if not me?
Favorite thing you’ve made so far:
Ah! My favorite thing I’ve made so far is my next drop, Heal My Soul!! I’m starting to jump into the world of House and Dance music and I love it so much. I typically solo produce or co-produce my songs but working on this song was the first time I had someone produce for me. It was so much fun because I’ve never been in a setting where someone just worked on a beat in front of me and had me free style in the booth. It was so much fun and I can’t fully describe how much I love the song and how it turned out. It became my turning on point on where I want my sound to go next.
What’s next for you in the music world:
The world is going to get a few more Gayun Cannon singles before a project but I am planning on doing some shows alongside that. I will also be hosting my own shows as well because I love representing my city and community and I want to get my friends and fellow artists included!
Gayun performing live photographed by Janice Cen (2022)
What’s the best advice you have for other independent artist/creatives:
Don’t let anything stop you from releasing and working on your craft. All your flowers and praise will come in due time because of your hard work and ambition, all you gotta do is just release. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others instead of just observing others and take notes. Everyone’s journeys are different but we can all learn from each other if we just stop ourselves from comparison.
What’s your creative process like:
My creative process alone typically consists of me sitting in my room at midnight feeling emotional and needing to let those emotions out. At least, that’s when my best works come into play. I just sit in my room and I start playing around with some chords that came into my head and I write to it. It’s very therapeutic for me and I come out of it feeling at peace because I let my emotions out and also feeling like a bad bitch because I just put my whole foot into this song.
How do you merge your identity & art together when creating your work:
I merge my identity by incorporating both sounds of my culture into my music. Again, I use Chinese instruments such as the erhu or guzheng to play the melodies and I go heavy on the guitar and keys instrumentation because that represents the Soul and Blues music I listed to growing up. This afro-asian combination of a sound is a goal I want to accomplish and perfect because my culture and family means so much to me. I want my music to represent me 100%.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment with music so far:
My biggest accomplishment with music was at my release party for my EP Brown Sugar Baby in 2021. Braided Magazine hosted and helped me rent and plan the event and so many people came. A very special person in my life also did a live painting while everyone was listening to the project and watching me perform. The room got so crowded that people had to stand outside because it was too claustrophobic and the cops almost got called haha! Next time, I know the rent a more spacious place.
Gayun Cannon from her Brown Sugar Baby era photographed by Mya Cavner
What’s the energy like for you when performing live:
I am more of a calm and sensual performer. I hope one day I can be more of a jumper but right now, with the vibes of my music, I feel good on stage and I like to sing with all of my emotions rushing through me. I love to stare into peoples eyes so they know I’m talking to them and for them to feel what I feel through my eyes and voice. I feel very good at the end of each performance because the energy I get back from the crowd is so beautiful. I can tell they really fuck with my music and I try to make sure they know I fuck with them as well! I feel very happy when people can match my energy.
What’s one album you wish you made yourself:
I wish I made Mama’s Gun by Erykah Badu. This album is no doubt a master piece and I wish I had J Dilla produce for me but also, Erykah Badu is one of my biggest inspirations. No explanation needed. Also not to mention it was recorded in Electric Lady Studios which is going to be a future recording spot for me! Manifesting!
Gayun Cannon performing live photographed by CHIDERA (2022)