Music
An Interview with Cannons’ Michelle Joy

We Speak With The Voice Behind One of The Fastest Rising Synthwave Dreampop Bands in America – Interview with Michelle Joy, the Lead Vocalist of Cannons
Cannons are known for their infectious blend of indie pop and electronic sounds, and Michelle Joy’s captivating stage presence is a key element of their live performances. Appearing this weekend at Audacy’s Riptide Music Festival in Ft Lauderdale Beach, FL, the band is a great fit for people who love dreamy female-fronted indie bands similar to Chromatics, The XX and Phantogram! We had the opportunity to chat with Michelle Joy, the incredibly talented lead vocalist behind the group ahead of their performance in South Florida, which happens to be her hometown! Join us as we chat about Michelle’s creative process, the band’s next moves and the unique essence she brings to Cannons’ sonic landscape.
Cannons’ music has a unique blend of synth-pop elements. Can you share some of your major musical influences and how they have shaped the sound of Cannons?
Our music taste and inspirations are constantly changing! Something that always stays the same between all of us collectively would be the love of older music. We’re inspired by sounds of the past (60’s, 70’s, 80’s) and love to bring in nostalgic elements from those decades while making them feel fresh and new again.
Collaboration is often a key aspect of creating music. How does the collaborative process work within Cannons? Do each of you contribute to the creative process all at once, or do you create the lyrics after the music is completed??
It’s very collaborative the entire way! Demos are sent back and forth between all of us until we feel we have a concrete idea going. Then we meet up to finish the songs together.
Speaking of lyrics, your songs often explore themes of love and self-discovery. Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you approach writing lyrics, and what inspires the themes in your songs?
Everything in life inspires the lyrics. I’m constantly writing lyrics in my notes app, my phone is filled with ideas that I pull from when working on a song. And when Ryan and Paul come up with lyrics they try to make sure it’s something I can relate to and really feel when I’m singing. We all know each other so well and everything we’re each going through in life – they’ve become really good at inspiring lyrics that I feel and connect to deeply!
Cannons is known for delivering captivating live performances. How do you prepare for live shows, and what do you enjoy most about connecting with your audience in a live setting?
Thank you! We have been playing so many shows lately so our sets feel very locked in lately. If we add anything new we meet up and rehearse a bunch till we feel confident! We really love to see the audience singing the words, dancing with us and just having a good time all around.
With several successful tracks under Cannons’ belt, do you have a personal favorite song that you like to play live? If so, what makes that particular track special to you?
I love playing “Hurricane,” it just makes me feel good and gets the crowd singing and dancing with me!
As an ex-Florida resident, what do you miss most about living in the state? And is there anything that you do not miss at all?
I miss my family and friends in Florida. I miss the beaches and warm ocean water! And also the amazing Cuban and Caribbean food in south Florida that’s hard to find in California.
The visual aesthetics of your music videos and promotional material are often as distinctive as the music itself. How important is visual representation to Cannons, and how involved are you in shaping the visual aspects of your brand?
Thank you! We want to express visually what our music sounds like, that’s very important. Our music is very nostalgic yet fresh, shiny, glossy, sexy etc. so we really try to bring all those elements together on the visual end too. I’m very involved with shaping the visual aspects, I have countless mood boards I create for music videos, photoshoots, tour looks, album art, Merch etc.
What can fans expect from Cannons in the near future? Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or new directions you are excited to explore?
You can always expect us to be trying new things sound wise, experimenting and just having fun making music that feels genuine and true to us!
Make sure to check out Cannons‘ performance at Audacy’s Riptide Music Festival this weekend, and make sure to check out their latest album Heartbeat Highway which came out last month!
Music
Welcome to Rockville 2025

Welcome to Rockville 2025 Delivers A Monumental Weekend Filled with Incredible Rock & Historic Reunions at the Daytona International Speedway – Review of the Welcome to Rockville 2025 Festival in Daytona Beach, FL
Music
Joywave Brings an Ocean of Euphoria to South Florida

Joywave Delivers an Unforgettable Night of Electro-Flavored Indie Rock Magic – Photos and Review of the Joywave Concert at the Culture Room in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Music
Dierks Bentley’s New Chapter, Same Country Soul

Bourbon, Brotherhood, and the Broken Roads That Lead Us Home: Dierks Bentley on Country Music’s Heartbeat.
Music
Fitz and the Tantrums Put On A Riot

Fitz and the Tantrums Bring a Cheerful Indie Spirit to South Florida With an Electrifying Performance – Photos and Article on the Fitz and the Tantrums Concert at the Revolution Live in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Music
From Soul to Country—Teddy Swims Does It All

One Cowboy Hat, 50 Million Fans, and a Voice That Shook the Room—Teddy Swims Took Over Florida.
(more…)
Music
Sessanta’s Musical Alchemy is Back, Bigger and Better

Maynard’s 60th Birthday Celebration is Back for Round Two With an Incredible One-of-a-Kind Show – Photos and Review of the “Sessanta 2.0” : Primus, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle Concert at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL
Music
Dark Matter, Bright Night for Pearl Jam

Vedder Days Are Here Again: Pearl Jam Blends Heart, Hits, and Humanity in a Night to Remember. (more…)
Music
Melvins and Napalm Death Are Back With A Vengeance

The Savage Imperial Death March Blitzkreigs Its Way Through South Florida – Photos and Feature on The Melvins and Napalm Death Concert at the Culture Room in Ft Lauderdale, FL
-
Music6 days ago
Welcome to Rockville 2025
-
Entertainment4 weeks ago
It’s Showtime Miami with Beetlejuice!!
-
Restaurants3 weeks ago
Bourbon Steak Brings the Heat
-
Music3 weeks ago
Sessanta’s Musical Alchemy is Back, Bigger and Better
-
Music2 weeks ago
From Soul to Country—Teddy Swims Does It All
-
Events4 weeks ago
Las Olas Wine & Food Festival – REVIEW
-
Press Releases3 weeks ago
Downtown Doral Spring Foodie Festival – RECAP
-
Music2 weeks ago
Fitz and the Tantrums Put On A Riot