P&P Spotlight: Sun Child (EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW)

Upon moving to Jacksonville, Florida in August 2022, Brooke Garwood chose to welcome a new chapter of her musical career in the form of Sun Child. Starting out as a solo project before more members were added, Sun Child's sound and approach have made rapid adjustments over the past year. Right before Halloween, they delivered "Ghost," their first single as a full band. "Ghost" is a vulnerable and haunting track about coping with loss, which explores what grief can cause us to do.

The band derives its name from Brooke's bright and smiley personality traits, which tie into her love for the beach and outdoors, but maintains a multi-dimensional dreamy folk sound. "Ghost" is an honest portrayal of Brooke's not-so-sunny steps towards healing, a nonlinear process that she hopes listeners can relate to. The stripped-back track puts Brooke face-to-face with a new version of herself that intense emotions have transformed her into. Recently, Playlists & Polaroids got to chat with Brooke about "Ghost," as well as the formation and evolution of Sun Child!

Image credit: Sun Child/Brooke Garwood, graphic created by Karly Ramnani

YOU'LL LOVE SUN CHILD IF YOU LISTEN TO: Taylor Swift, Indigo DeSouza, Billie Eilish, The Lumineers, Mt Joy, Slow Pulp, Phoebe Bridgers, St. Vincent

Why did you choose to go by “Sun Child,” as opposed to Brooke? In what ways does this alter ego represent you as a person and artist?

I chose to go by “Sun Child” after lots of contemplation about what I wanted my musical project to be. I’ve gone through a lot of adjustments over the years from being a full band, to a duo, to solo. Last year, I was contemplating whether or not to be a solo focused project or a full band project. I ultimately decided on having the name because I knew I wanted to work with a full band as opposed to being a solo act. The name was inspired a lot by my personality, lifestyle, and also by my mom. I’d say I’m a pretty sunny and smiley person. I also spend a lot of time at the beach, and have grown up with the beach as my backyard. When I was growing up, my mom used to sing “You Are My Sunshine” to me every morning. She is the reason why I got into music and has inspired me to become the person I am. “Sun Child” just makes so much sense to me. It can go both ways - as a personal identity and a band identity.

When and how did Sun Child expand from just you to a full band?

Sun Child started as a solo project with the release of my debut EP Everything. I recorded those songs with a producer but did not have a full band at that point. I moved to Jacksonville Beach, Florida a year ago, and when I moved I immediately was in search of band members. It wasn’t until somewhat recently - a few months ago - that I finally got solid band members committed to the project. Our newest release, “Ghost,” was the first song I ever recorded with the band.

What are some of the biggest adjustments you’ve had to make as Sun Child has grown?

Some of the biggest adjustments I’ve had to make as Sun Child has grown is honestly just setting aside more time for music and the business itself. There’s so much that goes into it and sometimes it can be overwhelming doing it all yourself. Going from an individual mindset to a group mindset is also an adjustment I’ve had to make. Ultimately, everyone’s input is valued and we make most desicions as a group at this point.

Image credit: Brooke Garwood

In what ways have you, and the rest of the band, tried to evolve Sun Child’s sound since the founding of the project?

By digging deeper into unique tones and keys. We want the music to be different and for it to stand out. I have also spent a lot of time thinking about what I want the music to portray to listeners. Recently, it has seemed like it is my calling to lyrically be as honest and genuine as possible. Ultimately, I want the music to not only be enjoyable for the listeners but also be relatable, human, and even healing.

What made you decide to move to Jacksonville after going to school in Charleston? How did the music scene of both these cities inspire you?

I actually grew up in Jacksonville Beach, so moving back home near family after school seemed like the right choice for me after graduating. I also moved to Jacksonville for my internship - I am currently in graduate school for social work. The music scene in Charleston was where I got my start. Everyone there was so supportive and connected. It felt like a family. Getting to know the Jacksonville scene definitely took a little bit longer because it is more spread out, but the connections I have made here have been lasting and inspiring. Getting to work alongside inspirations here keeps me going for sure. And at the same time, I'm still feeling a part of the scene in Charleston like I never left.

Could you walk us through the musical composition process of “Ghost”? What are some techniques, both in the vocals and instrumentals, that you guys tried to use to create that haunting effect?

The song started with just piano and vocals. I wanted the piano to be traditional-sounding and loud - the chords themselves were already haunting I felt. Some background atmospheric effects and more keys at certain points of the song helped with this feel. With vocals, I tried to be as vulnerable as possible with little vocal effect. I feel as though this produces a softness and humility. With instrumentation we really pushed violin and exaggerated dark guitar tones to further produce a haunting and almost chilling effect. The bridge provides a change in pace of the song and is kind of a point in the song that is disorienting - going along with that feeling associated with grief. We also focused on unique vocal harmonies. We were very intentional with what instrumentation goes where and feel like the lyrics speak for the song themselves.

Image Credit: Brooke Garwood

I think this song really goes to show that grief isn’t linear and it looks different for everybody. How long ago was the loss that inspired “Ghost,” and what emotions were going through your head in the moment? How have these feelings changed as time has passed and what are some things that have helped you accept it?

I completely agree with this - everyone handles grief differently and for some it is more intense than it is for others. The stages of grief are also nonlinear. The loss that inspired Ghost occurred for me almost 8 months ago. I started processing these emotions and writing the song about 2 months after the loss. For the first few months I was in complete denial and was trying to distract myself as much as I could which ultimately led to the feelings resurfacing a lot later. In the moment, all the feelings coming up were super intense - denial, anger, fear, sadness, defeat. It was a sickening feeling for sure that I’ve gotten through as time has passed. The feelings definitely come in waves. What ultimately helped me accept this loss and change in life was believing that everything works out the way it’s supposed to and trusting the process. Every relationship serves a purpose in our lives and focusing on that purpose is all you can do. The release of this song is also an emotional release and marks acceptance of change. I feel as though it was necessary to share with others not only because it might help them too, but because now I feel as though I can move forward myself.

Other than the fact that it’s called “Ghost,” what made you want to put this song out on Halloween weekend specifically?

I think that because it’s called "Ghost" and the song is so haunting, we definitely wanted to promote and use Halloween to our advantage. There are a lot of themes in the song that coincide with Halloween such as fear, death, darkness, etc. However, this song is still just as haunting even after Halloween passes.

You’ve shared before that you didn’t originally plan to release “Ghost” when you wrote it - what encouraged you to end up putting it out?

Writing "Ghost" was more of a therapeutic process for me that I wasn’t sure I wanted to share with anyone. It was definitely a super vulnerable song with intense emotion that makes it hard to share with others. The moment I knew I wanted to release it actually occurred at a friend's house. There was a piano at their house and I went over to play the song. As I started playing it, I got lost in it and wasn’t thinking about anyone else around me. While playing it, friends surrounded me without even realizing it - the room was completely silent and everyone was listening. As I finished the song, I turned around to see a room full of people brought to tears. It was such an emotional experience for me and was incredibly special. I want people to hear this song and feel heard and understood. I want it to help people with their own grief - letting yourself feel those emotions is so important to the process of acceptance and one way I have gotten there is through music.

Image Credit: Sun Child/Brooke Garwood

What are some artists that influence you the most, and who would be your dream collaboration in the industry?

Some of the artists that influence me the most are Billie Eilish, Indigo De Souza, The Lumineers, Mt Joy, and Slow Pulp. My dream collaboration would probably be with Slow Pulp. I’m obsessed with her music!

What are your goals in music for rest of 2023? At the moment, do you and Sun Child have anything in store that fans can look forward to?

Our goals for the rest of 2023 are mostly just to write. We’ve got a few new ones that we are planning to record in the new year. In the meantime, we have Everything coming out on vinyl in the coming weeks which will be available for purchase.

Finally, the P&P classic! What’s a lyric from “Ghost” that stands out to you? Walk us through the process of yourself writing it, and how does it speak to you personally?

I think my favorite lyric of Ghost other than the main chorus would be “watch my mouth and wash my face, just becoming what you hate." Writing this was inspired by not being able to be myself, and walking on eggshells, and hating myself in the process of it. Becoming something I’m not or acting a way that I know I didn’t like. I envisioned looking at myself in the mirror at the end of the night and not being able to recognize myself. This feeling occurred during the relationship but also for a while after it ended. The end of this lyric was also inspired a lot by the song that actually helped me get through my breakup.

The way that Brooke shares her heart with us, both in this interview and in her music, is truly inspiring. We've never heard a more flawless and compelling buildup of harmonies, especially against such minimalistic production, than that of "Ghost." If the song, or any of Brooke's perspective, speaks to you in some way, we've curated a playlist to help you dive further into Sun Child's world.