THE RESONANT RISE OF CANNONS

BY: ELIJAH GIL

PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA, PRODUCER: JESSE ZAPATERO, PHOTO ASST: DEVIN ALEXANDER RAMOS

Picture this, it’s the height of the pandemic in 2020 and your binge watching anything and everything on Netflix. You hear a song by a band and are immediately enamored by the sounds so shazam lets you know the name of the band, you read “Cannons” you’re immediately hooked and need to hear more. The discovery of Cannons was an escape during a time where the world was shut down and confused allowing you to escape the harsh realities. A band with a movie like story, they originated from a Craigslist ad that sparked their formation, their journey symbolizes the serendipity of musical destiny. As they soared in commercial success, with multiple number one hits, I watched Cannons thrive and grow, eagerly anticipating each new release.

For anyone who wants to experience a musical getaway that will transform you to a realm of melodic bliss you have to see Cannons live in concert. It was front row and center at the Troubadour in West Hollywood where witnessing this musical genius gave me a further love for the band that helped me mentally escape from harsh realities. Having had the chance to sit down with them and ask about their experiences on TOUR, they made it clear how much they enjoy the process and energy of touring, “We’re constantly working on music, but it’s nice to enjoy the actual tour”, they shared.

Even with their top tier studio albums their 2021 EP covers album was one that fans especially loved, with covers from icons Bruce Springsteen and Harry Styles, fans have made it known that they would love to get a taste of more Cannons renditions of hit songs with many clamoring for a rendition of “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Cannons’ songs have become a staple in pop culture, featured in TikToks and Instagram posts by major celebrities, including a delightful surprise from Kylie Jenner. That gave the band an “Oh wow!” moment.

CANNONS have Over 680M global streams and 300M video views to date across their catalogue. achieved two #1 singles at Alternative Radio – most recently “Loving You” (from Heartbeat Highway) and breakout hit “Fire For You” (from SHADOW) BUT who are Cannons, what’s their journey and what do they have next?

I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with the band (LEAD vocalist Michelle Joy, guitarist Ryan CLAPHAM, BASSIST and keyboardist Paul DAVIS) AND dive into their journey from its Craigslist beginnings to the dazzling present and beyond. Our conversation dives into their humble origins to their aspirations for the future, touching on every milestone and memory along the way. It was a glimpse into the inner workings of a band propelled by passion, talent, and an unwavering dedication to their craft. As they continue to grace stages and airwaves around the world, Cannons’ story serves as a reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary journeys begin with a simple ad on Craigslist, fueled by a shared love for music and a relentless pursuit of dreams.

First of all, congratulations on all the success that you guys have had these past couple of years, well deserved. Now going back to the beginning. I want to know how you guys all got started. How did you guys meet? Tell me the origins of Cannons.

Ryan:

Paul and I actually have known each other for a really, really long time, probably before our teens for sure. I moved to Santa Clarita when I was eight and Paul lived across the street from the house that I grew up in. Growing up, we've always been into music. And I think, right when we hit our teens, we got instruments and him living across the street was really convenient for us to always jam in the garage and stuff, and fast forward many, many years, we had some music that we were working on and I think it was kind of like our last little attempt at like giving this a go. Just trying to find the right person to front a band because I don't think we were, you know, we're not fit to front a music band. But we searched Craigslist, which was a really popular thing when we were growing up to look for musicians and I found Michelle had posted an ad looking to also start a band. And I found her because there's an option to type in keywords and I typed in a particular artist that Michelle and I were both into coincidentally at the time, and the band is called Trust, kind of an obscure dark wave band I think from Seattle. And yes, we had a couple of tracks that we emailed to Michelle and she put some vocals on it and we haven't stopped.

Yes, now tell me about the name - Cannons. Where did the name come from? Most bands usually put "the" before the name but what was your decision to just go with Cannons?

Ryan:

I was reading a book called 33 and the Third which is this really fun series of books. I'd actually like to collect them all because there are quite a few but each book is written by a different author on the different making of an album and the one I was reading was My Bloody Valentine's Loveless album and the author described the band being as loud, like when they performed live they were incredibly loud and he said they sounded like sound cannons and it was the first time I've ever heard, “I was like what the hell is this - sound cannon”. I later found out that it's a weapon used by the military sometimes in like riots or some situations or whatever. I just thought the name Cannons sounded really strong and powerful and I don't know, we never put a "The" in front of it. Some people call us The Cannons. But we've just been Cannons.

Now for you Michelle, you grew up in Florida, correct? You get this message from these guys on Craigslist who are literally across the country. What was your first, initial reaction to them wanting to work with you?

Michelle:

Well, I grew up in Florida and then I moved out to Los Angeles before I made that Craigslist post actually and then I had lived out here for maybe a year or two before I made that post. And then let's see, I think yes, they sent me some tracks and I had already learned how to just use Ableton and record vocals and stuff so I was able to just try out some vocals on the tracks they sent me which I thought were so beautiful and such a cool sound that felt very fresh to me. So it was really exciting. Um, yes, put some vocals on there and thankfully, they liked my voice and they liked what I sent them. And after that, we decided to meet up. And you know like Ryan said, we just continued to write music and haven't stopped since.

Ryan:

I think the cool thing about that whole story is Paul and I were living in the suburbs, and we still kind of do we move back to Santa Clarita, but we were living in Santa Clarita at the time, and Michelle was living in like Studio City, North Hollywood area, which coincidentally was where I worked. So pretty easy to meet up and stuff after work. And it was nice that she actually lived there. Because most of the people that I think are doing music in LA, they're like in Echo Park, or like Silverlake and stuff. So it's kind of serendipitous, it was kind of meant to be. She lived really close to where we work and stuff.

Michelle:

And then there was a brief period too where we all became neighbors. We all moved to the same building..
Ryan:

We did, we all lived in the same apartment complex, not together, but in the complex together. 

Where did you guys first meet? Was it like, hey, let's go get drinks or food or did you initially first meet at a studio session?

First, I met Ryan at Aroma Cafe, which is a coffee shop in Studio City.  And, to me, it's still a little crazy to think that yes, I made a Craigslist post and met up with someone from Craigslist at a coffee shop. It's not something I normally do.

Where was the first performance you guys had together?

Paul: 

Santa Clarita, a bar called de Vous which is now called Eighth & Rail and it's a little bar with maybe a capacity of like 100 if anything?  Unfortunately, they don't have music there anymore. 

After that set, did you guys look at each other and say we have something?

Ryan:

Yes. Yes. I always thought we had something even on the recordings and stuff.
Paul:
The live stuff was a little bit of a struggle at least for me at first because it was a new thing because I was used to just playing in rock bands and emo bands, metal bands and stuff just playing drums and doing the electronic thing was kind of like a bit of a challenge at first I feel like. 
Michelle:

Yes, and then the live getting on stage was terrifying for me. I didn't know why I had this idea that I could just record vocals in my bedroom and us just put music on SoundCloud and that would be it but, that was all my intention in the beginning and then when we started getting asked to play shows I was scared so, the first show I was definitely shaking inside. That's all I remember was just being really, really nervous.

Now when you guys first wrote your first song together, what song was it and did you guys perform it first in that show or was it the end setlist?

Michelle:

We never performed the first song that we wrote. Was it called Shallow Lagoon; I think? We put it on SoundCloud, and then took it down. And then a song called Heart Full of Doubt. 

Now when you guys collaborate on writing, do you guys do it together in one room? Or is it something you guys like to do on your own?
Michelle:

We all like to start our initial ideas, kind of like ruminating alone in our own little studios and stuff, and send each other stuff back and forth. And then once we feel like we have something we're excited about, then we'll meet up and we'll flesh out everything together.

Which musician inspired you growing up?
Paul: 

I think personally, the genre of punk music kind of inspired me because it was something a lot of my friends were into, felt like a little community and it was really easy to play. You didn't have to be like a virtuoso on any instrument to play punk rock music. And yes, I think that was kind of like my introduction to playing with people as well. I mean, before that I was really into metal and I mean, some of those metal musicians are like, absolutely insane and I never thought I'd get to sleep. Yes, so I was just like, I could play power chords and report chords and sing some poppy Melody and I think honestly listening to pop punk, I think kind of helped me personally with melodies because they're almost like nursery rhyme melodies and in that style of music and I think it's catchy.
Michelle:

I was really into and inspired by in high school a lot of Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette, Tony DeFranco and Jewel and those women. Those were the CD's I kept on repeat.

Touring can take a mental toll on artists a lot. How do you guys stay grounded? And what do you guys do to kind of mesh with each other on tour, because you guys are with each other 24/7.

Michelle:

Um, to stay grounded? Let's see. I mean, personally, I do try to eat as healthy as I can, and try to keep a good mindset by doing a little bit of meditating every day, or before the sets at least, to help with any stress or anything before I get on stage. And so I could put on the best show that I possibly can. But those are two things that are important to me for touring.
Paul: 

I tend to sleep a lot. And yes, naps are good. And honestly, in a perfect scenario. I love it when everyone from the crew is able to go out to an event, like we did a ghost-hunting event once, which was really, really fun. Or just something to get people in a good mood and always have and share that experience later on, I think is really, really nice. Because you know, we're constantly working on music, but it's nice to have a break sometimes and just enjoy the actual tour. We also have games that everyone plays now. 
Ryan:

Yes, but you cheat at every game. 

Michelle:

Me, No...

Paul:

Are you talking about What Are The Odds?

Michelle:

Yes. 

Ryan: 

You make up your own rules. 

Michelle:

I do?

Paul:

You lost a good What Are The Odds a couple weeks ago.

Michelle:

Oh, I did but...
Ryan:

Explain What Are The Odds.

Michelle: 

You guys should.
Ryan:

All right. So, we have this new game that was introduced to us called What Are The Odds? And it's pretty much, you pick a situation that would more or less make the other person feel uncomfortable. And you say what are the odds you do that? And you know, it could be one in 10 or one in 100 and then you count to three, and then you say a number, if the number lands you have to do that. 

Michelle:

At the same time as the other person, you have to say the number.

I mean, last time I did follow through with my What are the odds punishment or whatever you call it and I had to throw a piece of bread at a crew member and I did it. 

What did they say?

Michelle:

They were shocked. Very shocked. 
Ryan: 

We have it on video.

Michelle:

They looked at me like I was crazy.

When you guys first heard your song on a TV show what was that initial feeling when that happened?
Michelle:

Pretty surreal. So the first show was Ballers. It was more like background music in a cafe scene, I think. Um, but it was still our first scene, it was on HBO. And that was really cool to see and hear.

And how about when you see your songs going viral on TikTok, what was the first TikTok that you saw your song by yourself without someone sending it to you or you're just scrolling and you're like, oh my god,  this is our song.

Michelle:

The thing is that there were so many supermodels that were using Fire For You.  
Paul:

Heidi Klum

Michelle:

Heidi Klum, Kendall Jenner. I know like Haley Bieber had it in the background. Who else? 
I feel like there's this long list.

Ryan:
I remember that a really fun one was the um..., what is his name? The dude that rides longboard and drinks Cranberry juice?

Michelle:

Yes. What's his name? 
Paul:

The Cranberry Guy.  

Michelle:

The Fleetwood Mac cranberry juice skateboarder.

Is there someone in the band that's like the emotional leader when things are kind of going hectic for you guys? Or do you guys each have your own niche when it comes to being that emotional leader?

Michelle:

Emotional leader? Oh, that's interesting. Um, I probably have the most emotions that flow through the band on tour, but yes, I don't know. Um, I feel like we're all you know, especially on tour we're all pretty much on the same page with everything. Right?
Paul:

Yes, I think we all support each other. We all get our moments where we lose it a little bit here and there. But, yes, we definitely understand where that's coming from. 

Michelle:

Yes, I feel like we can always go to each other and like, have a little side sit down or something, the three of us if there's an issue on tour, or something or anything, and we all always figure out what to do and deal with everything really well. So, it's collaborative. 

Is there a moment with a fan so far in each of your careers that has resonated with you?

Ryan:

Yes, for me, there's one. It was one of our first tours, it was like a really quick two-week tour that we did before we got signed. And I mean, our band was not as big at all. I just remember this fan coming up to us, and just was the first time hearing in person, how much our music has actually helped them. And this particular fan was going through a really, really emotional, almost suicidal kind of thing, and how much our music helped him out through that. So that always sticks in my head. Sometimes when I'm like, why am I doing this? I always think of moments like that. Our music, it's not just something to just dance to, it really takes people out of bad times and helps them out.
 Paul:

I got a funny one.

It was our first tour, and it was the first time I realized how eclectic of an audience we had and we played in Nashville. And after the show, this maybe in his 60s or 70s dude came up to me and he's like, Paul, I mow lawns for a living, when I'm mowing lawns I like to burn one and listen to Fire For You. That always is like, wow, we got a lot of interesting fans from all walks of life, you know, just like good ol boys to whatever.

Michelle:

Yes, and I have one too, which was recently when we played Coachella. We did meet a fan that said that, I believe it was like two months prior that his wife passed away. And the one artists that they did listen to together all the time and had a shared love for was Cannons. So he came to Coachella and we met him for a minute and gave him a hug and he was just so happy to be there, so happy to meet us. And I could tell that he felt like his wife's spirit was with him that day. And that was really beautiful to me that we could, you know...

That’s really beautiful. Do each of you have a ritual that you do before a show?

Ryan:

Yes, we do the 123 thing or you know, kind of like a soccer.
Paul:

The woooooooo...
Ryan:

We usually choose the topic of the day or like a funny phrase of the day. What else do we do?

Paul:

Rotisserie chickens

Michelle:

Do we do that, every day, almost. What else? I don't know.
Ryan:

I go for like a 15 mile jog before...

Michelle:

15? hahaha
Ryan:

All right, all right. Maybe 17, it just depends.

Is there a city so far that is each of your favorite that you’ve played in?

Ryan:

My favorite city is probably Chicago.
Paul:

Yes, Chicago and Nashville to me, Nashville is really cool.
Michelle:

I'm going to have to go with Los Angeles.
Ryan:

Atlanta has been pretty cool too. We love them all. We love them all. Honestly, if the crowd is pumped up, it pumps us up, and it just makes it so much worthwhile.

Now, I want to get each of your opinions on the recent AI in the music industry. What is your opinion on it? Do you think that it takes away from the art form of musicians?

Paul:

I think any piece of technology can be used to your benefit, maybe it's something that I could use in the future to make my workflow a little easier as far as producing
Michelle:

Yes, I'm going to agree with that. Because I do use some Moises is that AI? I think it is. 
Ryan:

You're all about AI right now. 

Michelle:

I actually love Chat GPT, was it Chat GPT and Perplexity. It just saves me so much time. Instead of going to Google and doing research on things there are these two AI programs that can research every article and just give me the highlights from all of them combined. So far, I'm liking it but I do understand where it could go, but I like to think on the brighter side of things. So, maybe it could just be really awesome and helpful. And maybe it could have good intentions, because I know a lot of these programmes are starting to work off intentions and stuff, too. So I don't know. We'll see.

Do you have a dream collaboration?

Michelle:

Um, I'm not sure, let's see. This like a Dead or Alive kind of thing? 

Alive? We'll do Alive. So that we can manifest that happening.

Michelle:

Yes. Um, I think maybe some of the artists and timeless bands and people that we admire would be cool. 

Paul:

Iggy Pop would be really cool.

Yes, somebody out of field like that would be really fun. Like, not somebody you'd expect.

What's your advice for up-and-coming artists who are trying to break into the industry?

Michelle:

My advice would just be to focus on creating music that you like because I do feel like that's one thing that was always important to us and which helped us break through with fire for you. Because if you listen to alternative radio, like when Fire for You comes on. It's in between songs that it really doesn't sound anything like our music exactly on alternative radio but I think there is some magic in just being yourself and staying true to you and what you can bring to the world that's fresh and new. Because I don't think focusing on copying or repeating a sound that everybody else is doing is going to last very long. You might have a moment but then I think for longevity focus on being your own person and creating something that's genuinely true to you and is unique and original and catchy as it can be.

Now, fans absolutely loved your Covers EP, would you do another?

Paul:

Yes, I wouldn't be opposed to that.

Michelle:

Yes. I had fun doing covers and I don't think I realized how much our fans would enjoy it too, yes.

What are songs that are recently popular that you guys would love to cover?
Ryan:

I'm pretty bad with current music.

Paul:

Oh, it's definitely not a current song I'd want to do but yes. Billy Ocean - Caribbean  Queen.

I saw some fans say that they would love to see a Cannon’s rendition of Shallow by Lady Gaga Bradley Cooper.

Michelle:

Oh my gosh! That could be interesting.

I mean I do feel like we can always put a really cool interesting twist on any song

Have you guys ever been Star-struck before?
Michelle:

Yes. I would have to say definitely when I got to meet Harry Styles and then when I saw Stevie Nicks and who else?
Ryan:

Ellen Degeneres?
Paul:

In the bathroom?

Michelle:

I did see her in the bathroom. Hahaha. But um, probably Harry Styles and then Stevie Nicks at backstage at one of her concerts, I got to see her before she went on stage for a minute.

That's awesome. Now, when you guys first went number one, what did you guys do to celebrate?

Michelle:

Yes, yes. The first number one, everything was shut down.

Paul:

Yes, we were quarantined.

Michelle:

So we celebrated separately.

When you guys had the opportunity to actually celebrate for the second one, did you guys get to do a double celebration?
Paul:

We had cupcakes for the Troubadour

Michelle:

Yes. So, we found out that we got our second number one the day that we were playing our album release party at the Troubadour, so we just combined the celebration of Heartbeat Highway being released and our number one and celebrated at home, in Los Angeles at the Troubadour and yes we had amazing cupcakes to celebrate.

Now when you first performed at Coachella, what was the initial mindset performing for such a big venue, and such an iconic staple in music like Coachella?

Michelle:

I think just to put on the best show that we possibly can, at least that's what was in my head before I went on stage. Just like, alright, go out there, give them your best,

Do you guys have an ultimate goal for your career as a band?
Michelle:

An ultimate goal, I think, is just continuing to make music that we love and bring a sense of connectedness to people out there in a way that it has. I mean I truly feel like there hasn't been a feeling more fulfilling than the stuff we told you about, like meeting our fans and hearing their stories about how much our music has done for them. So continue to be able to do that and I'm happy. What about you guys?

Ryan:

Yes, I think just being true to ourselves and going back to what you said about write what you like and I've always envisioned us being a band that has a lot of longevity and definitely don't want to latch onto what's hot at the moment and then just be a passing trend. And I think as long as we continue to get together and try to write the best music that we can possibly write, I think we have something there.

I want to ask you guys this, if you were a book, what book would you be and why?

Paul:

That's a crazy question. 

Michelle:

Oh, I know..., wait, I know what I would be and it's a... ah well this is hard actually except to... Um, I'm going to go with a children's book that is called Rainbow Fish because it was my favorite book when I was really little and it's about this..., have you guys read it?

Ryan:

No, but I’ve heard you talk about it.

Michelle:

Okay, yes, it's this fish that has this coat of glittery, sparkly scales and it's swimming in the ocean with a bunch of fish that don't have any sparkly scales or anything and it decides that it wants to make the whole ocean sparkle and it gives each fish one of its scales and then by the end of it everything is sparkling and the whole ocean is sparkling and beautiful. And you know, I think last year, when we were performing, I looked in the audience and I saw that everyone was coming in sparkling clothes and the whole sea of the audience was sparkling and then I remembered that book that I just loved so much when I was little. So I was like am I becoming the Rainbow Fish making everyone feel like they can go out for the night and wear their shiniest things and dance and have a good time? I think so.

Ryan:

Man, I'm trying to think of a book. 

It could be a genre too.

Ryan:

The only thing that comes to mind would be the Goosebumps series. I really liked that as a kid, and they're easy to read and they're packed full of fun spooky tales and adventure.

Michelle:

And you love telling scary stories.

Ryan:

I like spooky things. 

Ryan:

Yes, I guess I'm kind of a spooky guy.

Paul:

I'm going to say when I was a kid, I used to like the comic Hub, little comics.They made these little book compilations of all of them in one book and I used to love going through those.

Ryan:

Not Scary Stories They Tell in the Dark?

Paul:

No... Oh, that would fuck me up. Those illustrations are still one of the creepiest things.

Ryan:

They're amazing though, aren't they?

Paul:

You know they retroactively got rid of those illustrations?

Ryan:

Because they're too scary?

Paul:

I guess. They reissued the books and they have new illustrations now.

Ryan:

The illustrations were the best part of that book.

Paul:

Absolutely, yes.

Now with the success of Heartbeat Highway, are you guys focused right now on this album or have you already begun writing the next record?

Michelle:

Already begun writing. I think that Cannon says never stop writing so like, you know...

Paul:

I'm writing right now as we speak.

Michelle:

Never stop.

That's awesome. Well, Congratulations guys, thank you guys for taking the time to speak with me. I wish you guys such more success than you already have and I can't wait for what the future holds for each of you. And, also thank you for what you bring to music because not only for the fans that you talked about, for myself, the music does resonate within and has got me out of dark places so thank you for that.

Paul:

That's good to hear.

Ryan:

Thank you very much.

Michelle:

Yes, that is so good to hear.