SSUN x Gen Z: We Are The Future
Photo by Paolo Azarraga
Born and raised in Shanghai, China, SSUN, a Toronto based singer and songwriter has been creating music ever since she could talk. Join Gen Z: We Are The Future as we meet SSUN and celebrate the release of her new EP Eclipse and the Dear Lover music video!
What was the moment you knew that singing and songwriting was what you wanted to pursue?
It’s just always been apart of my life. You know how when your eating, sleeping, or drinking, for me I feel the most alive when I’m making music. I will always be doing it for the rest of my life. It’s just apart of me.
Do you ever second guess yourself with your music?
Yes, definetly! For me, right after University, my first job was working at RBC. Singing was always a part time job, like it is for many others when they are getting started. I was always doing school work so I had to attend performances after school. It can be hard to turn your dreams into a full-time job and you can sometimes lose hope and begin to doubt yourself. What keeps me going is that I don’t know much about the future except for the fact that right now what I can do is keep going and keep creating. Once the pandemic started, myself and a few friends were really bored at home so we decided to start writing music and it was then when it turned into a full-time job. So just stay patient, keep creating, and one day it will turn into something.
Who is your role model in the singing/songwriting industry?
My role model is my mom. She was a signer herself and whatever she was doing, she would keep making music and signing. So I know that was something that she really loved but unfortunately, things happened and she couldn’t turn it into her career. Despite all this, I always saw her passion and love for music and that really inspires me in my own singing and piano.
If you could’ve chosen any other career path unrelated to music what would it be?
I’ve never thought about it. I guess I kind of always assumed I would do music in some way or another. I mean if I really couldn’t make music, I would probably be a piano teacher...
Who gave you the support to start singing/songwriting in the beginning? Who did you play the early songs for?
My parents, they support me to do whatever I want to do. Next, my audience; they are always here to help me and support me with whatever I need help with. Third, my friends and the people around me. I have some friends with musical backgrounds, and they are just so awesome.
We are so excited for Eclipse and the Dear Lover music video! Could you tell us about what led you to write Dear Lover and what the song is about?
If you look into the lyrics you find the songs about love and loss. It about the feeling of if you lost your family or you lost your friends and you didn’t cherish them enough when they were around. The original inspiration came at the start of the pandemic when in the news there were so many people who were dying and losing their loved ones. We wanted to express that feeling into our music. Once we were done, we decided we didn’t just want to limit the song to just the pandemic, so we expanded trying to really bring to focus the feeling and struggles of losing a loved one. We wanted everyone who heard the song to have it resonate with their own stories and remind them to cherish the moment.
How do you think your music has evolved over quarantine?
I was singing every day before! I’ve kept signing every day now! Some days I do pop piano, sometimes I do classical piano, and I’ve even tried some guitar. Music has really helped me understand my feelings during the lockdown.
When did you first get into music?
My parents are from a musical background, so that really influenced it. The first time I truly realized just how much music meant for me was when I was in high school. I went to a boarding school where the rules were very strict, you weren’t allowed to carry your phone, and you could only take out your phone when you went back to your room so we didn’t have that much entertainment. As soon as I was done studying I would just listen and play music. I was like “oh my god, music is so good”. No matter what you feel or the emotions you have, there is always a song to express your feelings. Because of this, I think music is very magical and allows you to tell so many stories. Songwriters write music based on their own stories and background but when people hear them they add their own spirit to it.
A huge thing that Gen Z: We Are The Future is about is to inspire our audience. Clearly you have accomplished A LOT and pursued your passions. So, what inspired you to go into music?
I found this one thing that I really liked to do. Like your going to spend your whole life doing something, so you might as well make it something you like. Singing and music is one thing that I will never get bored of and knowing that is what keeps me going and creating.
What is a piece of advice you would give to Gen Zers who are interested in the singing/songwriting industry?
Just never give up. You can never know what will happen so you just need to keep going. Don’t give up on yourself or your music. If you keep going it will eventually pay off.
Eclipse Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/album/7xjuRB1VB0hCtnIkSBAWYp?si=w021Y9z4TTiNwUzaptagtw
Music Video Link: https://youtu.be/cDgAz56Szew
