A Chat with Kwun (24.10.25)
Described as a trailblazer, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in music, singer-songwriter and producer Kwun is “at the cutting edge of a movement of conscious artists, leading the way into a new paradigm.” We spoke with Kwun about his new single, ‘Sovereignty’, returning to the music scene, advice for new musicians, and much more.
OSR: A bit cliché, but what drew you to become a musician? Was it always a dream and career aspiration?
Kwun: I just always loved music from as far back as I can remember. Becoming a musician happened organically and was actually not something I aspired to be initially. I just wanted to sing, and so I learnt to play the piano and guitar to accompany myself. And it just went from there really. But yeah, it’s always been a dream to make music in some way. I use to play in a lot of bands.
OSR: You recently released your single, ‘Sovereignty’, as your first after a two-year hiatus. What can you tell us about the single – does it reflect any journeys or have a specific theme or backstory?
Kwun: Yeah, in terms of backstory, it actually took a few years to make. I started the song in my home studio in Glastonbury in the UK, where I used to live. The bulk of it was recorded there, working remotely with musicians from around the world. Then I left it a few years before completing the middle-eight section with all the vocal layers, and the gospel choir was recorded then too. By which time, I was living in Mexico. So, the song travelled with me, and other parts were completed when I was in India and the US.
In terms of theme, it was written at a time when the world was going through a particular kind of chaos and uncertainty – which it still is. And everyone’s views were becoming increasingly polarised – which they still are. But in spite of all this, underneath and around it all, there’s something much bigger going on. We’re going through this incredible shift in consciousness right now, like how the mystics and seers from different traditions have been predicting for millennia. So we’re right on time. It’s up to us to navigate this, but I feel the future is positive. So yeah, in a nutshell, that’s basically what the song is about.
OSR: Your upcoming album features contributions from various creatives who have worked with Johnny Cash, Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse and The Rolling Stones. What was this experience like, and what did you take from it? Did you face any challenges, or was it smooth sailing?
Kwun: Ok, so I worked with these guys remotely. The experience was great. They were musicians, singers and engineers from all over. Mainly from the States, but everywhere really – from the UK, Italy, Trinidad, to Venezuela and Uruguay. We worked through file sharing. I mean, they’re just incredible. It’s an honour to work with people of this calibre, and they always contribute something I would never have thought of myself.
What did I take from it? One thing that comes to mind is learning to find that balance of being precise enough with my instructions to get what I want, but also leaving enough room so they can be free to create what they want.
In terms of challenges, working remotely just takes a long time to achieve what we might otherwise be able to do quickly had we been in a studio together. If we’d been in the same room, I could just say, “yeah, let’s tweak that” or “try this”, and the results would be immediate. Being in different parts of the world just extends that process a bit. But then the opportunities and possibilities that working remotely opens up kind of balances out the challenges and more than makes up for it.
OSR: What do you hope people take from ‘Sovereignty’ and your upcoming album?
Kwun: I just hope that people like it and that it adds something positive for them, if only just for that moment. Music becomes the soundtrack to our lives, and if my music does that even in a small way, then I’ve done my job.
There is always a message behind my songs, but in a way, there’s no great message. In that, it’s not the primary reason I write them. I write them because that’s just what I need to write at the time – and if afterwards someone can take something from it, that’s a bonus and an honour.
So yeah, in summary, I just hope people enjoy it and get out of it what they will.
OSR: Considering this is your return to releasing music, do you feel ‘Sovereignty’ is a representation of you as a musician at the moment?
Kwun: I think so. It’s one of the more recent things I’ve made, and it represents this vision I have and that I want to reproduce. So in that way, I guess it’s representative. I make a lot of different stuff really, and this is one aspect of that expression. So yeah, it doesn’t represent my genre, as I work across different genres, but in what it’s trying to achieve in terms of the bigger vision, then I’d say it’s pretty representative.
OSR: How would you describe your music?
Kwun: Well, it’s eclectic. It’s awesome, everyone should hear it, haha. Yeah, like I say, I move across lots of different styles and genres. You get a bit of pop, a bit of rock, jazz, funk, afrobeat, cinematic stuff. All sorts really. I’m very meticulous about what I do; it’s almost mathematical. And it has soul. It comes from a very sacred space, not meaning to sound too esoteric about it. But it does come from a very special place, and I think that gives it a certain power.
OSR: Do you have any advice for new musicians?
Kwun: Sure. If it’s your passion and talent, just keep going and never give up. You’ll get there in the end. And just have fun with it. Sometimes it becomes too much like work. But never forget why you’re doing it in the first place.
OSR: What can we expect from you in the future?
Kwun: So, I’ve got this album lined up, Ancient Ageless & True, which actually has been quite delayed, but is coming out next year. And there’s a bunch of singles leading up to that. I’ve got some pretty awesome visuals lined up too. The next single’s gonna be really awesome and something very different from what’s come before.
And then beyond that, I’ve got loads more material that’s been written and partially recorded already, so there’s a lot more in the pipelines.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Kwun: Sure. Please join me on this journey. I hope the music enriches your day, maybe takes you to a special place. Thank you for listening.
Many thanks to Kwun for speaking with us. Find out more about Kwun on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
