Unveiling the Pain: How Sunburnkids' Debut Album ‘Elephant in the Room’ Reveals Heartfelt Struggles
By. Alicia Zamora
A Conversation with Sunburnkids
In a recent exclusive interview with Alicia’s Studio, I had the opportunity to speak with the talented artist Suburnkids about his debut album, "Elephant In The Room". During our conversation, Suburnkids shared insights into the inspiration behind the album and the deeply personal messages he aimed to convey through his music. As the creative director and artist, he poured his heart and soul into this captivating work of art, using it as a platform to express his traumas and share heartfelt messages with his audience.
"Elephant in the Room" is a profound and emotionally charged album that delves into important issues often overlooked or avoided due to discomfort or fear. The title itself draws inspiration from the American idiom, symbolizing the significant yet unspoken matters that demand attention. What sets this album apart is Sunburnkids' decision to collaborate closely with children, bringing a refreshing and unique perspective to the music and adding an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the project.
Sunburnkids' debut full-length album is a testament to his artistic prowess and his ability to create meaningful and impactful music. His collaboration with children not only adds a distinctive element to the album but also underscores his commitment to approaching his art with sincerity and authenticity. Through "Elephant in the Room," Sunburnkids has succeeded in creating a deeply personal and thought-provoking musical masterpiece that resonates with listeners on a profound level.
Diving In
Alicia: Before we get into the questions, could you please introduce yourself and tell us what you do?
Sunburnkids: Hello. I am Sunburn Kid, 19 years old, and I operate a clothing brand. I also work as a visual director, and I just took my first step in this field with my new album.
Alicia: Diving into the first question Can you tell us about your journey from being a creative director in fashion to becoming a musician?
Sunburnkids: I always had a desire to transfer all my writings and feelings I had through either fashion or any other outlet. But those methods of delivery were too abstract compared to sharing lyrics that I can use as a form of communication with people. That is why I chose to make my move from fashion to music.
Alicia: How have your childhood experiences influenced your art and music?
Sunburnkids: I grew up learning how to accept and understand my feelings from my mom. She also let me play around in the woods and nature instead of sending me to daycare or kindergarten, so expressing whatever I saw and felt growing up became one of my habits.
Alicia: You mentioned carrying the weight of childhood habits and unresolved traumas. How does this manifest in your music?
Sunburnkids:“Red Cheek Boys” is a good example of that. It tells the story of my past physical relationship with a girl, an experience that contributed to the emotional scars I carry today. At that time, I was too naive to recognize the consequences of pursuing an unhealthy attraction. A vivid memory from then is us dancing together, gradually losing ourselves in a situation I wasn’t proud of.
Sunburnkids: Eventually, my friends discovered what was happening, and I became a target for manipulation and blackmail. I created this song and music video to reflect on the need to break free from that chapter of my life. It also explores a more profound message—what we should truly fear is not just rejection from others but something much more profound, like, in my case, my relationship with God. The guilt I felt was even stronger because my mom was always there, praying for me when I came home.
Sunburnkids: Through this song, I tried to capture those raw emotions and offer guidance to others facing similar struggles, helping them understand what they should truly let go of. Kids who are on the same page with me wanting to fight hard not to get lost in this chaotic world, participated in this project with their voices, and my younger brother also appeared in the music video. In the process of creating this song, I had already accomplished that goal.
Sunburnkids: “Red cheek boys” is basically the opening door of my journey. It shows a kid who used to commit sins and felt ashamed. Following this song, you will see what we should pursue and sail toward song by song.
Alicia: What inspired you to choose Elephant in the Room as the title for your debut album?
Sunburnkids: This phrase “elephant in the room” is a proverb which’s about a subject that everyone is aware of, but can not mention. I always had anger and hatred toward this society, and I wrote what I hate from this society on my note but eventually I found out those were not that different from me. Now with the hope that other kids would not choose the same way I regret to choose, I just had the courage to mention the elephant in myself. This album tells my flaws I have been struggling with, but couldn’t tell in the past. So I thought Elephant in the Room is appropriate for the title of my album.
Alicia: What was the creative process like for you while writing and composing this album?
Sunburnkids: First of all, I have never officially studied music before. I should've made this album with all of the musical samples step by step. Finding code and tune was hard for me. However since I know what’s proper and not, I could put those all together well.
Alicia: Can you describe the role of the children involved in your project and how they influenced the album?
Sunburnkids: Since in my album I have some stories for the kids who go to the same church, I was able to have time explaining each song’s theme and painting together with them. I found out how pure and innocent those arts are since I know their lives personally. That inspired me and made me realize that I also should put my life out there without any hiding into my work. So I did. It just basically helped me become more honest.
Alicia: What was it like using the children’s drawings for the album cover?
Sunburnkids: It was not that easy to do so, because I really care about them, and I didn’t want to exploit their artistic works that their lives reflected on for either one of my commercial merits or as a decoration for my own story. After a long time of reflection, I ended up thinking that I am not the center for this album. So I just took them for the album’s cover.
Alicia: How did you feel seeing your younger brother featured in the music video for “Red Cheek Boys”?
Sunburnkids: I have a lot in common with my brother. As he grows, he is also about to have similar habits I had back then. Seeing him being like that makes me feel like I am responsible for that. Besides I don’t want him to have the same habits I am struggling with until now. I thought giving him a role in this video can make him understand my desperation more vividly.
Alicia: What challenges did you face while producing, directing, and writing the music videos?
Sunburnkids: The process of producing it can't be better than this. The director of this music video is my friend that I constantly worked with before this. When I first worked on this album a year ago, he understood me deeply, even tearing up. I spent a lot of time consulting and communicating with him. Like this I had many people’s help in this work. I cannot be any better than other experts in this field, but if I have a shortcoming, I can take help from others. So, I don’t have any challenges but good memories.
Alicia: In what ways do you hope your music resonates with listeners?
Sunburnkids: I used to think I am the only one who has flaws and traumas and nobody would understand me. So I could not escape from the guilt and felt powerless.But with this album I hope they realize they are not the only ones and instead of self- destructing, think about ways to get away from that shame.
Alicia: What message do you want to convey to listeners about the importance of discussing difficult topics?
Sunburnkids: Because it is basically a first step of empathy and actual conversations. People never open up to people about themselves before seeing others doing so.
Alicia: What do you see as the next steps in your artistic journey after this album?
Sunburnkids: While having an art class with other kids, I learned about their backgrounds, lives, and pain. After that, I became more inspired. I want to help kids who are isolated and exposed to harsh things. I assume this will be my next journey in art.
Alicia: How do you envision the evolution of your music and artistry in the coming years?
Sunburnkids: I don’t believe art is a job. I just feel like a job is something obligated and compulsive. So I will start working on my art whenever I do have things I want to express and also whenever my life can prove my lyrics.
Alicia: Looking back on the process, what have you learned about yourself as an artist?
Sunburnkids: I realized that I love the process more than the result. I spent a lot of time alone, disconnected from the media, writing lyrics and teaching myself music, while visiting churches to meet children. Back then, I wrote with the hope that others would move toward a better life through my lyrics. As I saw this manifest in the lives of those close to me—even before the album was released—I felt like I had already put the final punctuation on the album.
Sunburnkids: It seems like people are writing lyrics carelessly these days. They don’t realize that their words could leave a scar, like a lifelong tattoo, on someone else, or even someone’s son or daughter. This doesn’t only apply to music, but to all fields of art! So, I would advise them to create works and words they can proudly show to their future children.
Alicia: I heard you held an album listening event and an exhibition. Can you share a memorable moment from the album listening party and exhibition at Layer Studio 7?
Sunburnkids: I remember when the little artists came to the exhibition. I prayed that this exhibition would inspire these kids to view other souls with love and help them when choosing their future paths. When I saw them running around joyfully and excitedly explaining their drawings, I thought, “Maybe this exhibition really did help them, even just a little,” and that memory stayed with me.
Alicia: If you could sum up your album in one sentence or phrase what would it be?
Sunburnkids: Trauma…
Alicia: How do you handle criticism or feedback on your work?
Sunburnkids: Since I already expected those comments, I’m not afraid of them. I just have to overcome them so I can have more things to say in my next album.
Alicia: What song from the album best describes you as an artist?
Sunburnkids: So, ‘Red Cheek Boys’ can be a song that takes more time to understand since it evokes many memories from my childhood. But the song ‘Erlkönig’ is a letter to my brother, so it's less abstract than Red Cheek Boys, which people can understand more directly.
Alicia: Are there any new projects or collaborations you look forward to exploring?
Sunburnkids: I don’t have any artists that I want to work with at the moment. Later, I want to explore something and write more.
Alicia: To end the interview, I wanted to say thank you for letting me interview you and congratulations on your debut album!
Alicia: Do you have anything to say to those who will read this?
Sunburnkids: Thank you!
Sunburnkids: Everyone has something they want to avoid, and I also have flaws and spots I want to avoid. Everyone is different, but everyone has these flaws. So I just want them to know that they’re not the only ones who have them. I just want to empathize with that and share those flaws together. I just hope that when sharing those, they don’t feel ashamed.
