Orion Sun Is Bringing Yearning Back To R&B

Los Angeles-based musician Orion Sun is bringing R&B back to its roots. If you’ve tuned into any music discourse, you know the girls have long cried that R&B is dead. What killed it? The loss of yearning, allegedly. Well, Orion Sun’s 2024 album and tour proved that the "artist formula" is becoming increasingly irrelevant – and the proof is in her sold-out 'Rising Sun' tour.

As we sat down for lunch at Hollywood’s Superba, the "Mary Jane" singer was coming down from a highly successful performance at Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw. "Insane -- the energy was amazing, like, did that just happen?" she reflected. "I was there last year as a fan so it was another reminder that if you follow your heart... it will lead you where you want to go."

The "Sweet" singer is known for wearing her heart on her sleeve and isn’t afraid to dive deep with emotive lyrics like "Was addicted like I'm on nicotine... Tried to kick it like... ‘Fuck this nicotine’... Mid July, you were that warm to me... Just wanted love, that's all I really need."

One look at her fan base and you’ll find lovers of all identities sliding down walls and singing in unison – oh, and throwing their bras on stage during shows.

Where some wonder whether straying from the norm – aka ditching the TikTok artist formula – can result in dollars, this queer artist is pulling sold-out crowds for herself, renowned musicians and iconic LA communities like Black Market Flea. She's also growing a flourishing Discord community that shows out at her shows.

In our interview, Orion Sun shares songs that almost didn't make the cut, iconic LA spots that inspired the album and the best behind-the-scenes moments from the 'Rising Sun Tour.'

For many, "Mary Jane" and "Sweet" are the top two songs on this album. If you had to listen to either "Sweet" or "Mary Jane" for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

Definitely, a combination of "Already Gone" and "Sweet." "Already Gone" was the lighthouse, though. The first song I wanted on the album. I finished writing it and exhaled for what seemed like the first time in a while.

You’ve been experiencing a lot of firsts in your career lately. Most recently, your first record signing. What’s been the best "first" to come from this tour?

So many come to mind. On a nerdy note, talking to the lighting director for venues, telling the live story with lights and building the performance element of my artistry. On a personal note, one of my favorite firsts was being able to give my grandma her flowers, especially for inspiring so much of my journey -- cue "Gannie." That same time last year she was in a wheelchair so to be each other’s batteries and make sure we made it to the next day… crazy. Being able to sing to her was everything. It felt like everything bad that happened, happened for a reason.

That's love. We saw that your family came to the Georgia show, too. Did you have a favorite city to perform in on this tour?

Oof. Austin. My Discord girls showed out very strong for me. They were the best gifts I've gotten. One person gave me a journal filled with notes and pictures and a cassette tape. But D.C., the energy was insane. I did a DJ set and after-party to keep the energy rolling and my family came out. The Bay also always takes care of me, too.

Looking back, I was more timid in earlier shows. Now, I'm weaving through the crowd wanting to get as close to fans as possible.

You defy the usual artist route avoiding trends and other things that don’t feel authentic to you. In your opinion, has this made the journey harder or longer?

All of the above -- just kidding. It's made it harder. It took longer because I had to figure out where I wanted to go. As a thinker, then poet, then artist. You're supposed to find your favorite artist when you're supposed to -- not on a billboard.

It's hard but I'm on time. I'm never too early or too late, only when I look outside of myself.

Nature was a clear influence for 'Orion.' Are there any iconic spots in New York or LA that helped you bring this album to life?

I used to go to Shirley Chisolm State Park in Brooklyn, New York. It felt like my little piece of Van Gogh out in the concrete jungle. And LA? All of LA. There’s not just one spot. But, The Observatory – that's one of my favorites.

From your love of "Mary Jane" to embracing pain, your music taps into a style of vulnerability that many fear tapping into. What keeps you from having a "vulnerability hangover?"

A lot of solitude and recharging. Also understanding that humans share the same quantity of emotion whether you know you can tap into it or not. Whether people want to admit it or not, they’ve felt this before. They’ve felt these emotions before.

It’s proof that we’re alive. It’s an infinity tool. You can always use it to check on yourself and others – that gives me the power to not really care. These moments are fleeting on purpose. I don’t feel bad if people are like "She’s really simping." I don't care like… "Yeah, I was really alive!"

Music has held me in my most intimate moments. Vulnerability is medicine, its community. That’s where the magic happens.

Your refusal to become a "product" is refreshing. Following the tour and Camp Flog Gnaw, the spotlight on Orion Sun is getting brighter. What are you manifesting for this next era?

Mixtapes, capturing sounds on cassette players, throwing more parties, DJ-ing more and ultimately seeing where my love for music takes me. 

This interview has been condensed for clarity.

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