Gayun Cannon: Making waves on the West Side and Beyond
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By Faith Hennig, Economic Reporter, The Real Chi |
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Chicago is home to many big time artists such as Kanye West, Common, Jennifer Hudson, and young emerging talent like Gayun Cannon.
Although Cannon studies music on the North Side (DePaul School of Music), she resides and frequently performs on the West Side (primarily Douglas Park and Pilsen).
She is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Cannon is able to play piano, flute, and bass. The artist also mentioned she’s sharpening her skills on the drums and the guzheng. With Cannon’s talent, she’ll definitely be able to master them.
Her music is a classic blend of soul with an eclectic voice that dips its toe in the alternative genre. When she performs, her whole heart spills in a way where even though you might not have experienced what she’s singing about, you can’t help but empathize. Even when Cannon posts singing videos on her Instagram the sentiment breathes through the screen.
Cannon is an artist who likes to showcase her talents as well as the talent of others. She has recently (early October) worked with Black Women owned Art Magazine | Braided to host pop-up art shows and give attention to West Side artists. The pop-up shows give way to incoming musicians, poets, food vendors, graphic artists, etc. The events have been hosted at The Pilsen Art House these past couple weeks (October 10), and Cannon has been the head spear of it all.
While I have the opportunity of being a fan of Cannon, I would say we’re also friends. I sat down with her to learn how and why she puts so much into her art and who Gayun Cannon is currently. Why is it important to showcase others? Why is she an artist in the first place?
Interview
Faith Hennig: Where are you from?
Gayun Cannon: I’m from Chicago babyyyy!
FH: What motivates you to make your art and why in Chicago?
GC: Honestly, all my peers and the Chicago artists that I surround myself with motivate me the most. There’s so many talented people here and I'm always like “wow! y’all are so cool. I wanna vibe at that level as well.” But besides Chicago, I grew up learning how to play instruments starting at the age of 4, so I knew music was always going to be a lifelong passion and career choice for me. I typically produce my own beats but I get so much influence from my favorite artists like Amy Winehouse, Solange, and Sade. I see so much talent in the peers I collaborate with or interact with in spaces which push me to want to work with them more because they teach me so much. I always learn something new about producing or musical techniques, even music theory which I struggle a lot with.
FH: Do you like performing, if so what’s your favorite part?
GC: I used to hate performing so much but I think I started to love it when someone told me that they feel so much emotion from me when I perform. The fact that I could make people feel things with the way that I sing …. that started becoming my goal. To make people feel emotions with my music.
FH: So we know you love performing and working with other artists at the Pilsen Art House, but what are you doing currently right now with your music?
GC: This was supposed to be a surprise until November, but I’d love for you to announce this too! But I am dropping a project at the end of November and a music video for my song “I Don’t Need You”! The EP is called Brown Sugar Baby and it’s going to be a very healing and emotional experience and I’m so so excited for everyone to hear it!
Cannon’s performance and talent are true gifts, her work at the Pilsen Art House recently were amazing, she even has an upcoming one on Nov. 13 from 6-10 p.m. (1756 W. 19th Street, Chicago IL 60608). Other vendors and performers will be there giving their all for the culture and exposure.
You can check out Cannon’s work on her insta!
https://www.instagram.com/gayuncannon/?hl=en
Pilsen Art House’s Work
https://www.instagram.com/thepilsenarthouse/?hl=en
Braided Mag’s Work