SUNANA is a dynamic DJ and production duo based in London. They have gained global recognition for their energetic performances on stage.
Photo credit: SUNANA – Official
Sun and Ana have a vibrant style that combines music and culture. They draw inspiration from a diverse range of influences and aim to spread positivity through their music.
With a combined experience of 25 years, SUNANA has performed at venues and events worldwide. This includes Ministry of Sound, Pacha, Glastonbury Festival, and Wembley Arena.
Their productions captivate listeners with their identity and powerful energy, inspiring people to dance. They incorporate real-life experiences, traditional and memorable melodies, concise vocals, and live instrumentation to convey a compelling message through their songs.
The duo recently released a new single titled ‘The Savannah Road’ on Junior Jack’s Adesso Music imprint. This evolving track features mystical atmospherics, cinematic vocal chanting, and flute melodies. The blend of live timbres and colorful cultural influences creates a deep, introspective cut.
EG had the opportunity to interview SUNANA, discussing their latest release ‘The Savannah Road’, as well as future projects and endeavors.
EG: Hi, guys! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
SUNANA: Thanks for having us! We’re really good, thanks. We are currently in London.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the release of your brand new single, ‘The Savannah Road,’ on Junior Jack’s Adesso Music! You must be very excited to share this one. What has the initial reception been like so far?
SUNANA: We are very excited about it for sure! It’s awesome to have a track out on such a brilliant label from the legendary Junior Jack – we have massive respect for him as an artist and the work the label does. The initial reception has been incredible – we’ve been fortunate enough to have support from the likes of Claptone, Vintage Culture, and Jen Payne, and radio plays all over the world. We are very grateful to every single person who has supported the track so far!
EG: So, what’s ‘The Savannah Road’ all about? Is there a concept or inspirational trigger behind this one?
SUNANA: It’s very true to the SUNANA style – it is a beautiful collision of cultures, taking inspiration from Sun’s African and Ana’s Asian heritages. We wanted to write a track with melodic house, afro, and Asian elements that were uplifting, inspiring, and evoked a sense of a journey.
EG: Not only that, but you’re also behind the drop of ‘Ven Pa Ca’, your latest single on Vanilla Ace’s WyldCard imprint. Congratulations, again. What can your fans expect to find on this one? What sets it apart from ‘The Savannah Road’?
SUNANA: We are super happy to have ‘Ven Pa Ca’ out on Vanilla Ace’s label, we have been longtime fans! This one has iconic Latin vocals and is pure tech house with a huge bass made to play loud!
“All the things that were important before social media, like being nice to work with, being polite, being respectful, are still just as important now”
EG: You guys are coming in hot after a most eventful summer. Any particular highlights or accomplishments that have left a mark on you?
SUNANA: DJing at the closing party of Back To Mine at the iconic Pikes Ibiza in the summer was huge! It was so much fun and an honor to be a part of it. Being featured in some huge publications we’ve admired for years like Wonderland Magazine, DJ Mag, and Mixmag was also a highlight for us.
EG: You guys have a combined experience of 25 years as performers and producers. In your opinion, how has the landscape changed since you first broke into the scene? What does it take to make it in the industry nowadays?
SUNANA: The obvious one is social media, where it’s now possible to break through, build an audience, make money, perform…the list goes on. But it is not the be-all and end-all. Personal connections, networking (even if that’s through social media), and real-life interaction are still really important. All the things that were important before social media, like being nice to work with, being polite, being respectful, are still just as important now, maybe even more so as the industry gets bigger and people’s behavior diversifies. But sometimes people forget that because it seems easier to take a “shortcut” to success. There are no shortcuts though, and ultimately, at the end of the day, the music industry is like any industry, the people who bring good things to the table and are cool people to work with are the people who will have long, successful careers. The whole music industry is still a team game at heart, and you’re only as strong as your teammates. It’s all about lifting each other up. There’s room for everyone.
EG: Over the past years, we’ve seen a huge rise in acts or concepts that depend on these immense screens and eye-watering visuals. Do you think this enhances the musical experience? Or is it taking too much away from the actual music?
SUNANA: We think if it’s done well, it’s just another way that artists can collaborate and make amazing things together, so that’s a positive! It’s also a great thing for people who don’t experience music through hearing it. It can make the gig experience more accessible for more people, which is awesome.
EG: Also, the use of AI in music has become quite common after its initial introduction, which raised many eyebrows. What’s your stance on this?
SUNANA: When AI is used to replace human creativity, that is when we think things get a little dark! However, if it is used to speed up certain time-consuming, less creative tasks in the production process (like various plug-in assistants), we think it’s a good thing as it leaves more time and energy for creativity. It’s like the internet, if you use it intelligently and creatively, it is great.
“The whole music industry is still a team game at heart, and you’re only as strong as your teammates. It’s all about lifting each other up. There’s room for everyone”
EG: Finally, can you provide some insights into what’s next for SUNANA? What’s in store for 2024? Where can your fans catch you next?
SUNANA: We have lots of releases lined up over the next few months on labels we love, including Wyldcard, Vivifier, and Twisted Funk. We also have some big collaborations coming out, including one with the vocalist CERES. Our label, The Vibe Arrived, has a packed schedule of releases for the next few months, and we are so excited to share some fresh bangers from lots of awesome artists. We also have a remix coming out on Adesso Music, which we are excited for!
EG: Thank you so much for your time, SUNANA! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
SUNANA: Great to chat!
SUNANA’s ‘The Savannah Road’ is out now via Adesso Music. Stream and download here.
Follow SUNANA: Soundcloud | Spotify | Instagram
