Photo Credit: @sanscrada.jpg
Vancouver-based singer-songwriter and producer Serena Sun is carving out a space in the indie-pop landscape with her blend of dreamy soundscapes, intimate storytelling, and airy vocals. Following the release of her latest single, ‘Tell Me… Please’, and ahead of her debut album Slice of the Sun, arriving in January 2027, Sun reflects on personal growth, her time living in London, and the experiences that shaped her forthcoming record.
With over 3.4 million streams, international touring experience, and growing support from BBC Introducing and EARMILK, she discusses finding her sound, navigating uncertainty, and turning life’s transitions into music.
Listen to ‘Tell Me… Please’ whilst reading the interview below:
Paint us a picture: what sparked your passion for the arts in the first place? Was there a single moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue this path?
Music has always played a large role in my life and songwriting came naturally as a way to express my emotions at a young age. My grandmother told me it was important to journal, she was a teacher in china and kept a journal for most of her life. I began journaling in the fourth grade as a result of her encouragement. As I grew older, music felt like a necessary form of self expression; I loved externalizing my inner world in a tangible way and processing what was going on through creating songs.
I didn’t plan on pursuing music as a career until 2019 when I was going through a pretty big life change; I was struggling with stomach ulcers while also navigating the end of a long term relationship. I made a song from scratch on my laptop while traveling to London and it was through that, that I realized music was something I wanted to pursue and improve on for the rest of my life.
When you create, what leads the way – a feeling, a story, or the sound itself?
It depends on the song. Since I’m also a producer, sometimes I like to start with a guitar riff or a vibe, other times I love starting with lyrics I’ve written, or a poem that’s just laying in my notes app. Whenever I’m making a song though, I try to marry the story with the feeling and then create a world around the lyrics through production.
What’s in your toolkit? Share the gear, gadgets, or software you can’t create without.
I absolutely love my Apollo twin; I bring it everywhere I go so I can make music on the fly. Big fan of the TLM 103 as well; I feel like that mix in particular captures the crisp higher end in my vocals. I love producing on Ableton, it’s my favorite DAW because something about the way that the plugins stack on each other feels so conducive to creative sound design. I also love my iPhone Voice Memos app; I’m constantly using it and making ear candy through the recordings I have on it. Lastly I love my Auden acoustic guitar! I bought it secondhand from an elderly songwriter gentleman on Gumtree when I first moved to London; he said he wasn’t able to write any songs on it so he hoped that I would have better luck. I’ve written almost all of my favorite songs on it since. I’m not sure if it’s the wood or the size of the body or how the guitar itself just resonates, but it has this beautiful, dark quality that I haven’t heart or felt in my other guitars.
What’s your go-to ritual or trick for getting into the creative zone?
Journaling heavily and constantly! Also, exposing myself to new artists and new types of music.
What’s the one item you always keep within arm’s reach while creating or performing?
When it comes to writing, my iPhone for the Notes app or a journal, I’ve been keeping at the moment. And for performing, I don’t think I have one item in particular, but I really like to use my own microphone every time I play on stage!
How did you ultimately end up defining your sound?
A big shift in my sound came when I started producing everything on my own. I absolutely loved working with other producers to create a lot of my music early on in my career, but it has always been my goal to be able to create a song from start to finish on my own. Moving to London allowed me to explore that goal since I didn’t know anybody in the industry, and the songs I’ve been writing and producing since have fully felt like the world that I imagined them to be.
How has your creative process or perspective shifted since you started your journey?
I used to think that my best songs could only spring from a place of extreme emotion, usually sadness, but that’s definitely not the case anymore. Sometimes some of my best work comes from a place of boredom or emotional suppression, I like to just write on random days and see what comes out.
Walk us through a recording session: what’s the most memorable moment you’ve had in the studio?
I recorded a lot of the live instrumentation for my debut album at an incredible studio in Vienna, Austria, called Zonkey. Some of my favorite memories came from just getting to work with the instrumentalists and engineers there; we’d always be joking around between takes and getting excited when things clicked. The whole week was memorable just because I felt so safe and welcome to direct as the producer; I’d definitely recommend recording at Zonkey and working with the guys who run it to anyone and everyone!!
What are your opinions on generative AI music tools such as Suno? Is it something that aids in the creative process, or take away from it?
To be honest, I am not familiar with how generative AI tools like SUNO work but I’m definitely never in support of any platform that uses artists’ works without their permission. I’m very pro-“sucking at things” in a very human way when you’re starting out, and improving with time. There’s also so much freedom and satisfaction to be had through learning something from the ground up.
Are there any unexpected or dream collaborations hidden in your work?
I’ve actually gotten to collaborate with some of the incredible friends I made in London for this debut album. There are so many indie artists out there that are deeply talented but might not have large scale audiences quite yet, but I think it’s just a matter of time. I am super proud of and grateful that my friends were willing to help write some of these songs and lend me their time and talent.
Any side projects you’re working on?
Not currently! Always writing for the next project and writing for other artists as well though.
Who’s an emerging artist you think deserves more recognition right now?
Meg Elsier, Chrissy, Sydney Sprague, mercury, ggwendolyn, Fairhazel
What’s the strangest or most surprising song currently on your playlist?
Hmm I actually can’t think of anything strange only bc I like things that are strange.
Which song, album or playlist do you never get sick of no matter how many times you listen to it?
Larabar – Wet
Submarine – Fairhazel
Ifshitfuq – Meg Elsier
quitter – Sydney Sprague
I have a playlist that is basically what I listen to on the regular on my Spotify profile called “music in my ears” it’s got everything I listen to on rotation and I rinse and repeat it every time I open the app.
For a while I only listened to “Bloodless” by Samia (album)
Are there any unexpected hobbies or projects you’re exploring outside of your main work?
I’ve recently started taking acting classes and love it. I’ve also been making jewelry; namely bracelets but I’m planning on starting to do keychains and necklaces too. I’ve also gotten into sewing in the past, and tend to sew every time my life feels deeply out of control lmao.
If your life and career were an album, what would its title be, and what’s the hidden track only your fans would know?
Album: “Committed to the Bit”
Track: “serial hobbyist”
Give us a glimpse into the future – what surprises or milestones are coming up for you this year?
I’ll be back in London and hoping to get some sessions in; perhaps a show but that’s still up in the air! Also planning to do some writing trips to LA/Nashville in the near future.
Famous last words?
I’m not hungry
Follow Serena Sun:
Website – Instagram – Facebook – X – SoundCloud – TikTok – YouTube – Spotify
