Sound of the City: Sad China talks about the challenges of being a young, racialized, nonbinary artist and the power of community
The musician also known as Sunny Chen wants to see more Black and Indigenous peoples of marginalized genders in leadership positions, especially in the arts
SOUND OF THE CITY is a series created in partnership by the City of Vancouver and Stir that showcases Vancouver’s diverse music scene, highlighting BIPOC and underrepresented artists and acts. Each edition features a Q&A and a Sound of the City playlist curated by the artist that features some of their favourite local musicians.
Sad China
SUNNY CHEN, AKA Sad China, is a queer nonbinary settler immigrant based on ancestral homelands of Katzie, Kwantlen, Matsqui, and Semiahmoo Nations (Langley,). Having released their debut EP in 2016, Sad China recently launched their bilingual debut, ilyimy. The album features collaborations with Adewolf, Khamisa, Kerub, pseudo-antigone, yukari*, and other local artists. Sad China’s sound draws from 2000s pop and R&B, their Chinese roots, and choral arrangements from their background in choir.
Hear what’s on Sad China’s mind these days and check out their Sound of the City playlist—which features almost exclusively local musicians—below.
Sad China’s Playlist
How are you feeling about life right now?
Every sleepless night leads to a new sunrise, and I'm grateful every time I make it through. A few years ago, I didn't have this kind of community support, especially being a racialized survivor. Shoutout to ancestors for watching over us!
How has the pandemic affected your work?
I've connected with more new friends and peers over Zoom than I've ever been able to at physical events. Shoutout Making Space (making-space.ca) and our group exhibition at Latitude 53, opening December 3rd! I wrote my debut album ilyimy through FaceTime, iMessage, and Zoom with my friends Kerub, desire process, Khamisa, Adewolf, pseudo-antigone, yukari*, JERRYCHERRY, and I Am Omo. When we finally met up to record at Monarch Studios or Helm Studios, it was sooo cathartic. I was going through a breakup and didn't really hang out in person with anyone other than my ex (and my ex-best friend, but that's another story) during most of the pandemic. I literally cried at the studio. Thank you to sound engineer Olivia Quan for never judging me and being open to all my weird ideas. I remember once I walked to T&T with my friend Kyla Yin James from my place in Strathcona and how anxiety-inducing it was. Being accosted, verbally harassed, and threatened took a toll on my mental health. I took to self-isolating along with my two roommates, and while they worked 9 to 5 from home, I would make my art, tape for auditions, make food, then get stoned. Then make more art.
What are you working on right now? Do you have any plans or projects lined up for the rest of 2021?
Other than crafting my mindfulness piece for the Making Space group exhibit, I'm in pre-production to shoot my fourth music video. This one's gonna be higher budget with a professional crew. Stay updated on my socials cuz there'll be cast and crew positions to fill (linktr.ee/sxc)! I'm also planning my next EP and a tour with Kerub and friends around Western Canada and Mexico City in 2022 .
Where are you finding solace and comfort?
In Mexico City currently, on ancestral lands belonging to Náhuatl, Otomí, Mixteco, Zapoteco, Mazahua, Mazateco, and Totonaca Nations, for the next couple of weeks. The weather is nice and the community here is warm. I'm also finding comfort in internet friends! I have friends all around the world, and I can never feel alone again.
What are you most looking forward to once the pandemic passes?
Healing from the anxiety I get whenever a stranger walks by. Dancing to my friends' music at shows!
What song or album has been in your heavy rotation recently and why?
Last month was Lorde's album Solar Power. She and I think the same way. She's writing stuff close to her heart, as well as about climate change and being distrustful of/betrayed by capitalist perversions of connection, which is also why I wrote "Seen".
Can you give a shoutout to one of your favourite Vancouver musicians or artists? What about them inspires you?
I'm so lucky to know creatives like KeAloha, Aly Laube, Ma̱lidi Sydney Roberts, Kerub, and Adewolf. They show me what belonging without ulterior motives feels like... Thank you for holding space for me and supporting my journey. I will always do the same for you. And more than ever, marginalized peoples must stand in solidarity with each other. Shoutout to queer/trans/Black/Indigenous/racialized communities for your care.
What would you like to see change in Vancouver?
We need (queer and trans) Black and Indigenous peoples of marginalized genders in leadership positions, especially in the arts/music scene and in government. Living and working here has been dangerous for queer, trans, and racialized peoples for far too long. Cis (often white) people have cast me aside when I spoke up about my experiences of ongoing harm as a young, racialized, woman-presenting artist. I'd like to see the dismantling of classism and colourism within the Asian community, which is also intertwined with our community's anti-Indigeneity and anti-Blackness. My ancestors are Han, Naxi, and Yi. Naxi and Yi peoples are ethnic minorities in China, cuz Han people colonized China. Let's stop viewing East Asian peoples as a monolith. Vancouver is noticeably anti-Chinese, ever since Chinese people migrated here to build the Canadian Pacific Railway. Let's focus on nurturing safer, more inclusive spaces, starting from our own families and social circles. We have to support Indigenous land defenders (e.g. Fairy Creek) because climate change is a human rights issue.
Who is your dream collaborator?
My dream collab is with Nelly Furtado! I'd love to write an EP in Spanish, Mandarin, and English with her. Her whole discography is impressive and unique, and I love that she's multilingual (像我). I sung/rapped all the words to "Promiscuous" when I was 11. She's so iconic I co-composed and co-produced a cover of her song "all good things (come to an end)" with harpist Elysse Cloma AKA desire process, Vi "Kerub" Levitt, and Josh Eastman to bookend my album.
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