Photo Credit: Patti Miller
Sonnymoon consists of Anna Wise and Dane Orr. The Brooklyn duo have created an electronically sparse, yet utterly meditative sound which is showcased on their new album The Courage Of Present Times. Having gained huge praise, Anna herself has worked with Kendrick Lamar closely on one of the albums of the year, To Pimp A Butterfly. Shuf had a chat with Anna on their latest release, working with Kendrick and how her environment effects her sound.
How would you describe Sonnymoon's sound?
Transparent, polyrhythmic, psychedelic, fun to make, always changing.
With 'The Courage Of Present Times' having been released recently, could you talk on the creative process and how it all came about?
Its not so much a process as it is a lifestyle. Dane and I have never had the luxury of locational stability, we've always been moving around or on tour. COPT was recorded in 5 different cities across the United States: Schenectady, San Francisco, Boston, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles. Dane and I go through different stages of creation both together and alone. We approach music quite differently and its taken years to refine our communication. We've had to create our own language that we both can understand. COPT is the natural progression to the next step of our musical/philosophical discussion with each other.
How did you and Kendrick first meet?
He found Sonnymoon on the internet in 2011 and asked around for my number. I drove straight to the studio.
Could you talk a bit about working on 'To Pimp A Butterfly.' I also read that you had a hand in creating the title "To Pimp A Butterfly." Is there any truth to this?
Working on TPAB is really hard to explain in words. I wish I could invite you into my dreams, into that wordless place. Its like being in a trance or a lucid dream. Yeah, there is truth to that.
What was the difference between working on 'good kid m.A.A.d city' compared to 'To Pimp A Butterfly.'
I used to sleep on a couch at the TDE house and record there. Now I sleep in a hotel room and record in a studio with a front desk situation.
Does the environment that surrounds you effect your sound? I read that you stated "I would say that our music is something that you would want to consume with headphones, lying in a really pretty place." Do you use specific locations where you write or create, or that inspire you?
Not so much a location as a collection of things I like. I have some amethyst I keep in my backpack, I brought a small lavender plant to the studio for TPAB, I keep my reusable water bottle with me at all times. Thats super needed cuz most studios have cases and cases of bottled water and sodas that I want no part of. So, yeah, its really all about what I keep with me to inject into the already existing environment.
How does the creative process between you and Dane play out?
Its a beautiful never ending dance of minds, hearts, and souls. Its what we live. We find thinking about and making music to be the most fun thing we can do with our time, so everything we do is to enable us to be able to make music and do all the fun stuff that comes with it. We have multiple notebooks constantly passing between us. We send each other voice memos of ideas. Its a constant process.
What is your least favourite aspect of the music industry?
The feminine is stifled, disrespected, and under-represented.
Do you have any plans for a tour in Europe?
Yes, soon! Really want to tour Europe and stay for awhile. We love to connect with people who are connecting with our music. Every show is different, we go to that trance like space and try to do something unique in the moment. I'm excited to experience our European audience for the first time and exchange some energy. I'm smiling just thinking about it.
Anything else you would like to add?
Have a blessed day! Oh! And here's a link to support my new record itun.es/us/Vhy15 / Bandcamp
Words: Jacob Roy