With her new album ‘Orion’, Orion Sun takes inspiration from a timeless painting as she embraces nature and her path to self-discovery. Read our latest Dork Mixtape cover feature.
Words: Stephen Ackroyd.
Orion Sun’s music doesn’t demand attention – instead, it gently beckons, inviting anyone passing through into a world where vulnerability is strength and introspection is celebrated. Born Tiffany Majette, the 28-year-old has been crafting intimate alt-R&B soundscapes that resonate with the complexities of the human experience. Raised in South Jersey by two artist parents, creativity was woven into the fabric of her upbringing. Now based under the bright lights and brighter sun of Los Angeles, she has cultivated a unique voice that blends reassuring analogue warmth with sharp lyrical depth, carving out a space that is distinctly her own.
As we catch up with Orion Sun, she’s in the midst of another creative endeavour. She’s “just working on a few collages,” she explains, before confiding that it’s making her “brain hurt” – her humour shining through even as she delves into projects that stretch her mental capacities. It’s clear that her artistry extends beyond music; she’s a creative spirit in every sense.
This creativity permeates every aspect of her life. Her journey into music began with an insatiable curiosity and a profound need for self-expression. “I paid attention at an early age to how my body and heartfelt in the world. Music is a magnet to that connection,” she explains. This early attentiveness to her inner world set the stage for a future defined by emotional honesty and depth.
Over the years, Orion Sun has amassed significant experience through collaborations and performances. She’s shared stages with notable artists and cultivated a dedicated following, yet she remains firmly in touch with what truly matters. When reflecting on her biggest achievements and personal highlights, she focuses on “being able to come home at the end of the night feeling grateful to be able to have the joys and annoyances that make up my life” – a grounded perspective that highlights her appreciation for both the peaks and valleys of existence.
As an independent artist, Orion Sun has had to carve out her own space in the music industry – one that prioritises authenticity over convention. Her music doesn’t conform to box-ticking expectations; instead, it weaves together elements of R&B, soul, and indie to create something distinctly her own. Her commitment to self-production and artistic control allows her to craft a sound that is deeply personal and unfiltered.
After a brief hiatus – spent “just following the fun and paying attention to what makes my heart flutter, and following that, too” – she returns with her new album ‘Orion’, a work deeply inspired by Nicolas Poussin’s painting Blind Orion Searching for the Rising Sun. “I came across it a couple of years ago on Google and finally clicked on the image, and was so inspired,” she recounts of her serendipitous discovery. “A perfect example of following your heart’s mind!”
“In order to see the light and be the light, you have to sit in the darkness for longer than might be comfortable.”
The painting, depicting the blind hunter Orion on a quest for the rising sun, serves as a powerful metaphor for her own journey through darkness in search of light. “Time isn’t linear though,” she contemplates, “so in some ways, I do feel like I’ve known of it for most of my life.”
Its influence on her music is profound, with her willingness to embrace discomfort and delve into the shadows informing the album’s thematic and sonic landscape. The record is “a journey through the dark, just like the painting,” she explains. “In order to see the light and be the light, you have to sit in the darkness for longer than might be comfortable for you. You gain a lot of insight. So I kind of took that vibe and put it sonically in the album, too.”
Her fascination with mythology and storytelling extends beyond this specific piece. It’s a patient pursuit of artistic truth that serves as a hallmark of her creative process. “Stories are my favourite,” she shares. “If you are careful and observant, you can craft your own story, adding to the beautiful archive that is the human experience. In this instance, Orion is a hunter, and that mentality – you need patience when you’re out there. You could be there for days, waiting for that perfect sound, that perfect feeling.”
Nature emerges as a significant theme in her life and work, serving as both inspiration and grounding force. For Orion Sun, the organic is not just a backdrop but an integral part of her being – a source of solace and creativity. “It’s a reminder to take a pause and look up at the sky,” she reveals. “I gravitate towards reminding myself and my family and friends that it starts here; it starts outside.”
Living in Los Angeles has afforded her ample opportunity to immerse herself in nature. Spending so much time outdoors is “a huge reason why I moved here,” she explains. The city’s proximity to mountains, forests, and the ocean provides a rich tapestry of natural beauty that fuels her art. “There’s not much else to me beyond nature and the human experience, truly the same in my brain,” she admits.
Creating ‘Orion’ has been a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. “I’ve learned enough to notice growth I’m proud of,” she reflects, underscoring the introspective nature of her work and her commitment to personal evolution. While the album represents a significant milestone, it’s more of a fresh starting point rather than a culmination. “This is just the beginning,” she reminds us – a promise of more to come from an artist unafraid to delve deep and emerge with something beautiful.
“Stories are my favourite. You can craft your own story, adding to the beautiful archive that is the human experience.”
The tracks on ‘Orion’ delve deeply into her personal experiences and emotions. ‘Already Gone’ captures the rawness of heartbreak, something she describes with poignant honesty: “It’s about that first night alone when your partner moves out, and it’s obvious nothing will ever be the same,” she reveals. “You try to change it or fix it or run from it, but you have to come home eventually. The silence becomes heavy like water. Everything was a task. Everything was hard. I was holding on to hope like a life raft. Only in retrospect is it kind of funny. It seems dramatic and annoying, but it was so true to me then.”
It’s an experience that offers a universal connection – the ending of one thing and the awkward pause before something new can start.
In ‘Sweet’, she explores the duality of self-perception and the journey toward self-determination. “I am my own worst enemy and my best friend; life is sweet because I determine where I go next,” she says, encapsulating the song’s theme of embracing one’s agency amidst internal conflicts.
‘Mary Jane’, meanwhile, delves into coping mechanisms and the necessity of facing one’s fears. It’s “about coping and facing fear head-on,” she explains. “I lean hard on my vices when it feels like the world is falling from the sky. It helps you escape for a while, but no matter where you go, you can’t run from yourself. I had to face my fears eventually, and I’m glad I did.”
With each explanation, it’s clear that Orion Sun’s artistry is deeply intertwined with her personal journey. Her willingness to sit with discomfort and explore the darker corners of her experience allows her to create music that resonates on a profound level. Her approach to life during her hiatus reflects this philosophy. She spent the time “just following the fun and paying attention to what makes my heart flutter, and following that, too” – a blend of spontaneity and introspection that informs not only her music but her entire outlook on life. Attending to the small moments that bring joy and inspiration, she trusts that the rest will take care of itself.
Despite the challenges of navigating the music industry independently, she remains focused on the intrinsic rewards of her art. Her measure of success is not tied to external accolades but to personal fulfilment and growth, with music that invites listeners to pause, reflect, and perhaps find a piece of themselves within her stories.
Looking ahead, Orion Sun is excited about what’s next. “This is just the beginning,” she reiterates – a promise of more to come from an artist who is unafraid to delve deep and emerge with something beautiful. ■
Orion Sun’s album ‘Orion’ is out now. Follow Dork Mixtape on Spotify here.
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