Serena Sun is excited to introduce herself to the world, as her debut EP Shadows on the Ceiling is finally out for listeners to stream.
When you spin the five-track collection for the first time, you hear catchy, indie pop tunes that have you tapping to the beat from start to finish. However, when you take a deeper look, you hear heavy lyrics about topics that make you reflect on a relatable experience that either you or your loved one has gone through.
Not realizing it at first, Sun says that her first-ever project “touches on the different traumas [she’s] been carrying with [her] up until that point,” making it extremely personal.
“It felt natural,” Serena tells Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview. “I feel like my writing style has always been, and will always be, extremely personal. I have a hard time liking songs I’ve written that aren’t deeper in meaning and honest. That being said, sometimes it takes days of journaling or talking to my co-writers to really dig deep and figure out why I’m feeling a certain way.”
Getting raw and vulnerable may be scary for some, however, the budding artist is proud for her honesty in her lyrics and hopes that others who relate to them feel seen and supported.
Just last week, the Vancouver based electro-pop artist unveiled the powerful video for the collection’s lead single “Body.” Diving into her journey of trauma and healing, the video is stunning visual of the highs and lows of Serena‘s process of reclaiming what she lost through her experience with sexual assault.
“When I sat down with my incredible Director and DOP, Tamara Black and Cathy Ye, we talked about how we could intentionally and honestly depict my experience of healing after being sexually assaulted by a friend in university. After tons of different iterations of how to best tell my story, we landed on visually capturing the different stages I went through after the assault,” Serena shares in a press statement.
“The music video opens with me lying on a couch in a cold, moon-lit room where ‘pieces of the party’ are strewn on the floor. I am in a daze, and in a state of suppression while I’m trying to recall what had happened. The narrative continues with scenes of anger, and eventually leads to healing and triumph, where I’m surrounded by friends and helping others who seem to be in similar daze-like states.”
Positioning herself to be one a one to watch, Serena plans to take her new music on the road this year with various performances locally along with the cities she visits to write songs. With hopes to go on a full tour in the future, Sun also wants to take time this year to release more songs grow her craft.
“A specific goal I have this year for myself is to make sure I still have fun and enjoy life as an individual outside of making music,” she says.
You can learn more about Serena’s new EP by reading our full Q&A below — don’t forget to let us know what you think of Shadows on the Ceiling by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
You can connect with Serena by giving her a follow on Instagram at @serenalsun.
Celeb Secrets: Congrats on the release of your new EP “Shadows on the Ceiling!” How does it feel to finally have this project out for fans to hear?
Serena Sun: “Thank you so much! Oh man, it feels amazing. I’m so glad this project is finally out in the world.”
CS: Can you talk to us about the concept behind the record — what can people expect from it?
SS: “Absolutely. When I was writing this collection of songs, I didn’t realize it at first, but each song touched on different traumas I had been carrying with me up until that point. Even though the lyrics touch on some intense topics, people can expect to enjoy some catchy indie pop tunes and, if they want to, get a little reflective while listening.”
CS: We know that this collection is extremely personal, as you touch on past experiences of enduring and moving through trauma. How hard was it to put the pen to paper and talk about these experiences? Can you elaborate more on this?
SS: “To be honest, it felt natural. I feel like my writing style has always been, and will always be, extremely personal. I have a hard time liking songs I’ve written that aren’t deeper in meaning and honest. That being said, sometimes it takes days of journaling or talking to my co-writers to really dig deep and figure out why I’m feeling a certain way.”
CS: What was the most challenging part about making this record?
SS: “Making sure each song lived in its own world while also making sure they fit together as a project.”
CS: In what ways do you hope it will connect with fans?
SS: “I hope fans listen to the lyrics and go on a journey with me. Writing and producing the songs was a therapeutic experience, and I hope those who relate feel seen and supported through listening to the EP.”
CS: Is there a song that you’re most proud of? And if so, why?
SS: “I’m definitely proud of each song in a different way. If I had to choose one, I’d say ‘Body’ is one I’m particularly proud of just because it talks about my experience with sexual assault and I didn’t think I’d ever write about that.”
CS: How does this project differ from your previous releases? Can you touch on the sound, etc?
SS: “I think this is my first project to feel like it really showcases the different moods I have as an artist. The overall sound is chill and emotional—but there are little unique elements added to each song to make them distinct.”
CS: Do you hope to tour your new music soon?
SS: “I’m currently focusing on playing shows locally and in the cities I visit to song write in, but I definitely see myself going on tour in the future.”
CS: What are some goals you’d like to achieve in 2022?
SS: “I’d love to continue releasing songs and growing my craft. I’m constantly learning new things and I hope that never stops. A specific goal I have this year for myself is to make sure I still have fun and enjoy life as an individual outside of making music.”
CS: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, do you have any secrets (fun facts) from the creative process that people wouldn’t know just by listening to your new EP?
SS: “A fun fact is that the gang vocals that come in on the last chorus of ‘For the Hell of It’ are sung by two Vancouver-based artists; I was first introduced to them because they covered one of my previous releases on TikTok—crazy how social media brings people together these days.”
Listen to “Shadows on the Ceiling”:
