Issue 113 / April-May 2021

FOXEN CYN
Finding the self in esoteric
worlds of wonky electronica.
In the lingering haze of the early hours, FOXEN CYN
emerges. Confidently declaring their sound “everything and
the kitchen sink”, the artist, also known as Sean, is a rising
horror-pop hero, mixing brooding synths and experimental
sampling to create tracks oozing with smut and swagger.
“I’m just besotted with punk,” they admit. “I just fell into
all of this. I love it though, it’s so fun and frustrating. You
know like when you’re doing a really hard jigsaw with your
mammy and you start trying to smash cobblestone jigs into
the border?”
Despite their grungy sensibilities, the artist has
classical roots, first getting into music alongside their
brother. “The main thing that inspired me was jealousy,”
they tell me. “The first instrument I learnt to play was
clarinet, and that was purely because my brother was
learning to play guitar. They didn’t have guitar lessons left.
Or French horn. I really wanted to play French horn. I think I
learnt clarinet first in the end, because the embouchure has
left me with a better pout.”
However, the artist soon leaned into electronica, valuing
experimentation above all else. “Ages ago, in an old band,
I played a house party in Manchester on Halloween and
everyone hated us. It was great. All the other bands were
openly saying we were terrible and ruined the night. It was
so horrible and weird. I hope they ask me back as Foxen Cyn
at some point,” they explain. “I’d just say don’t be warded off
by something being out of your comfort zone. Music is an
amazing art form, because you can get into every asset of
creativity. You can’t really do that with am-dram or painting,
I reckon.”
Foxen Cyn’s first EP, Demonstration, was released in
2017 and, after a brief hiatus, the artist has made their
return with new single Cracking Up, a mesmerising, eclectic
offering that documents a personal journey.
“The lyrics are about coming out, my own experience,”
they explain. “A lot of coming out songs are very
empowering, which is good, and they should be. I don’t think
they show how scary it can be, though. My personal coming
out experience was great, and my family and friends have
all been so supportive, but that doesn’t take away from the
initial trepidation.”
Through a blend of distorted vocals and frequent,
pulsing drumbeats, the artist documents the surge of
emotions that comes with admitting queer identity, with
its liberation and exhilaration. However, the artist seems
hesitant to admit to heroism. “I don’t think, personally, I’m
doing anything of importance, I’m just being what I want to
be. I’d say that drag and being openly queer is still a strange
thing in the alternative music scene, though.”
The abstract track feels like a new beginning for Foxen
Cyn, their sound evolving both musically and emotionally. “I
suppose I’m trying to do for closeted kids what My Chemical
Romance did for me as a teenager,” they admit. “Audiences
probably see it as novelty, but as an artist I want to present
myself. I’m not a tall, skinny, cool guy, I’m a chubby little
party animal. If I show other people they can be as well, I’ll
be happy.”
In terms of the future, Foxen Cyn is only looking forward.
“I’m going to keep working on music, get a few more
releases out, but mainly I can’t wait to get back on stage and
get in people’s faces again.” It’s a closing statement that calls
to the dancefloor, and the blurry bliss of town after dark. !
Words: Lily Blakeney Edwards / @Lilyhbee
Cracking Up is available now via Emotion Wave Records.
“I’m a chubby little
party animal. If I
show other people
they can be as well,
I’ll be happy”
SPOTLIGHT
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