London based, alt-pop singer-songwriter Jason Kwan is pleased to announce a brand new release with the arrival of ‘Paradise’ (5th June), lifted from upcoming debut EP ‘Deja Vu’ out 7th June and is accompanied by a visually stunning music video. View it here (5th June) Drawing on a myriad of influences from pop, RnB and soul, the Hong Kong born artist’s artistry shines on ‘Paradise’, with sweeping cinematic melodies and introspective lyrical storytelling that have become a fixture of his craft.
Jason says: “Paradise is a song I wrote about yearning. That’s probably the most overwhelming emotion that drives the core of my songwriting and is my exploration into dream-pop, magical-realism, and fantasy.”
Tell us more about your new single ‘Paradise’ and the music video?
‘Paradise’ is my little gem. In both the song and the music video, I wanted to explore my fear of losing something incredible because I fear that I can never sustain something so perfect, in the context of falling in love. I sing in denial, saying that I don’t want a ‘sweet paradise’, but it’s actually all I yearn for in the song. In the music video, I pay homage to “The Little Prince”, a character I grew up with, who has always helped me reconnect with my imagination, my core feelings of joy, expression, and with being a dreamer. I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to bring this song to life through this music video, directed by Darius Shu.
‘Deja Vu’ is your debut EP. What makes it so special and what was your inspiration behind it?
‘Deja Vu’ is my first EP – it feels crazy that my first curated project is out in the world! The EP is about first-awakenings, second loves, and third-culture experiences of growing up in Hong Kong and the UK when I was still in the closet, finding my way through love and relationships. These stories, which I thought would only exist in my memories from the empty streets of Hong Kong at 3AM, are now being proudly introduced into the world. I never thought I’d sing these memories on stage, so it’s been quite amazing for me to share these stories so publicly.
You’ve spent time living in both Hong Kong and the UK. What do you love about both places?
I moved to the UK from Hong Kong in 2008 on a music scholarship, and have been back and forth ever since. Hong Kong gives me such a feeling of comfort and stability – I love the food, the culture, the language, my family, my friends, and love the audacity of the people. In the UK, I grew up in Kent then in London, and I will never get over the excitement of being able to live and work in London. London has such a rawness to it, where every day is an adventure. The more I live in London, the deeper I fall in love with its layers. Filming the ‘Deja Vu’ music video between Kent and London really combined my love for growing up in both these places.
If you had 3 artists you could collaborate with, who would they be and why?
There are so many people I want to collaborate with. I’d love to work with Rina Sawayama – for me, she’s a complete force of nature and is so direct with her songwriting. She always hits the emotion at its core when she writes, and her voice and delivery is just incredible. I’d also love to collaborate with PlanningToRock, who I’ve looked up to since I was a teenager. They just make me want to dance and lose myself in a smutty queer club. And finally, I’d love to work with Lauren Aquilina and Marcus Anderson, who have written some of my favourite Rina songs and K-pop songs. They’ve been super supportive of my work and I’d love to have the chance to work with and learn from them.
You have a few PRIDE shows coming up, tell us more about them.
Yes! I’m so excited to be going on the ‘Deja Vu Pride Tour’ starting at the end of May. I’ll be performing at Trafalgar Square, London for the first time on June 29th, and I cannot wait. Being able to sing these queer coming-of-age songs to queer crowds all over the UK is honestly a dream. Make sure you catch me at Birmingham Pride, Manchester Pride, Pride in London, Canterbury Pride, or at Brighton Pride!
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
My plan for the rest of the year is to keep expanding on the universe I’m creating with ‘Deja Vu’ and get my songs heard far and wide. I’m currently writing new music, exploring a darker side to the ‘Deja Vu’ EP, and also am preparing for a London show on September 9th at Omnibus Theatre, where I’ll be playing a 45 minute set with my band. There will be a few more surprises coming up with ‘Deja Vu’, so keep an eye out!
