OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER OF NATIONAL STUDENT PRIDE & PRIDE IN SURREY
How did you get into doing music?
I've been performing music since a very young age, growing up in Hong Kong and Shanghai. I moved to the UK at 14 on a music scholarship and trained in jazz, opera, musical theatre in voice, piano, and double bass. At university, I started my own glam rock band and started performing the music I had been writing throughout my teenage years. When I moved to London I started exploring more with my performance style and I guess, here I am!
How would you describe your music?
I tend to describe my music as "dark pop". It's pop, dance music, but with a darker edge, whether that be the soundscape or the subject matter. I love wrapping dynamic instrumental and production around heavier themes.
In your photos and videos you get your kit off a lot. Have you always been comfortable with your body?
Haha, I do love fashion, I've learnt to love my body, and I do enjoy the cabaret aspect of stage outfits. I haven't always been confident in my body and I still have my own struggles, but being on stage and coming up through the cabaret scene, it really has helped me feel more secure in my own body, especially when I present myself on public platforms. My new single "Ritual" is about how I'm perceived, battling the ways I'm objectified, fetishished, and reclaiming power around how my body is perceived.
How important are Pride events?
Pride events are incredibly important. They are spaces for the community to come together and celebrate our joy. I love performing at Pride events because the energy is always uplifting and important. I've had the pleasure of performing at Canterbury, Manchester, Brighton, and Birmingham Pride this year - and each one has such a unique atmosphere to it.
When you are not doing music what other things do you like to do?
I am a secret gamer. I love playing relaxing computer games and playing on my Switch. Recently, I've started playing Minecraft with my housemate - it's been really relaxing.
Favourite country in the world?
I do love Hong Kong. I grew up there and it holds such a special place in my heart. The food is incomparable. I haven't been back since Feb 2020!
What are your plans for the rest of 2022?
The rest of 2022 is going to be studio, studio, and studio. I'm finishing up my debut EP at the moment after a really exciting summer of performing "Ritual" all across the UK. Keep your eyes peeled on a new song coming up, and the EP drop in 2023! Do follow me @jasonkwanmusic and stream/watch the video for "Ritual".
