SOMA Living November 2024

SUN JACKSON

Fifteen-year-old Sun Jackson from Maplewood, NJ, debuts her album, September Fridays, now streaming everywhere. This unique project highlights a father-daughter collaboration, with Sun writing all ten original songs herself, beginning at just 11 years old. Her father, D.D. Jackson, a multi-Emmy-winning composer and producer, co-produced the album and contributed arrangements. “Working with my dad made this experience even more special,” Sun shares. Currently a 10th grader at Columbia High School, Sun immerses herself in a rich musical environment that has produced stars like SZA and Lauryn Hill. From age six, she recorded melodies into her voice memo app, saying, “I didn’t know anything about song structure! I just dove in.” Influenced by artists like Billie Eilish, Laura Marling, and Prince, Sun explores various genres, including indie, folk, and jazz. INTRODUCING SUN JACKSON: A RISING STAR IN MUSIC

Her album showcases emotional depth, from the playful “Dan” to the reflective “I Miss Autumn.” The title track, “The Way She Looked At Me (September Fridays),” features intricate tempo changes. Sun describes her favorite song, “Living,” as a raw moment: “I felt all these emotions just swarming out of my chest. It was the most raw vocal take I’ve ever recorded.” Released on September 20, 2024, September Fridays introduces a promising new voice to the music scene.

NOVEMBER 2024 | SOMA LIVING 29

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