Chris Sunfield’s path from a career in psychology to becoming an indie recording artist is a tale of resilience, introspection, and artistic rebirth. In this interview, Sunfield explored the profound moments that steered him back to music, revealing how personal adversities and a deep understanding of human behaviour shape his unique sound. His EP, Far Away Objects, is a narrative woven from existentialist philosophies, emotional healing, and a quest for authenticity. Through his journey, Sunfield offers a glimpse into how creative expression can transform life’s darkest moments into a symphony of hope and self-discovery.
Chris Sunfield, it’s a pleasure to sit down with you to discuss your unique journey from psychologist to indie recording artist. Can you share more about the pivotal moment that led you back to music after so many years?
Thank you! I went through a perfect storm of negative events a few years back. Close friends died. I made a bad career decision that I couldn’t easily get out of. I moved to a remote suburb and isolated myself from friends. A relationship ended. And finally, an accident hospitalized me. It felt like rock bottom. I was a behavioural scientist facing my own dark night of the soul.
The themes in your EP, Far Away Objects, revolve around answering your calling and fulfilling your dreams. How did your personal experiences influence these themes?
I was a songwriter in my youth and dreamed of being a recording artist someday. I went to university for music but struggled with it so I eventually switched majors and ended up with a PhD. I became a management psychologist. Years passed. I was comfortable but regretful. Hundreds of half-written songs would have ended up in landfill if I had died suddenly. Oliver Wendell Holmes has a quote about this – “Most people die with the music still inside them.”
I’d always been a fan of existentialists like Nietzsche and Sartre. They wrote about living authentically and taking responsibility for realizing our potential before it’s too late. I knew I was living in ‘bad faith’. I felt more guilty as I got older, and as I got farther and farther away from my music.
As a psychologist, how do you think your background in understanding the human mind has impacted your songwriting and musical style?
It’s tough to turn that off even if I don’t want that angle. When I’m transforming my own issues into lyrics, I sometimes can’t help but frame them in terms of what we know about most people’s behaviour. I like to think that my lyrics resonate with some people because they get to the core of many people’s shared but unspoken concerns. They might go, “Hey, how did he know I worry about that?”
You mentioned that you returned to music during a very dark time in your life. How did the process of creating music serve as a coping mechanism for you during that period?
Dealing with adversity and trauma is a huge area in psychology, and there are many coping strategies, both good and bad. I wasn’t feeling very good about myself during that time period. What I needed was some healthy self-affirmation by focusing on something I valued about myself, which was my creative skills. Values affirmations have been known to boost people’s well-being and performance.
Also, when you’re feeling down, you’re far more introspective and vigilant. Your emotions can be creative engines. As badly as you may be feeling, that’s a lens you don’t want to waste. In a way, making music was also a distraction. It’s hard to ruminate on your negative situation when you’re trying to figure out how to get back to the chorus from a bridge or guitar solo.
Far Away Objects is described as a progressive pop polyptych and a cosmological journey. Can you explain what listeners can expect from this unique blend of styles and themes?
I grew up on AM radio pop music, but I was also heavily into classical music and progressive rock. I always liked complex, longer-than-usual pieces with interesting changes. I knew my own music was going to be influenced by this, and not always be radio-friendly or commercial. Rick Rubin, the super-producer, said ‘the audience comes last’ when making music. I agree, even though that can sound arrogant. The song is the star. You have to let it emerge with its own identity and hope that its authenticity will reach people.
For example, the song Anton has a real string quartet. Eclipse has crickets, an ambient break, tempo changes, and Morse code (and yes, it does mean something). Begin has a sax solo and a female choir. Some industry people heard that song before it was released and criticized it. “It’s too long. It has an intro. It has solos and too many changes.” Hearing that feedback only encouraged and excited me. I knew I was on the right track.
What advice would you give to anyone struggling to view their traumatic experiences through anything but a profoundly negative lens?
First off, it’s important to know that adversity can lead to growth. Research shows that the healthiest, most successful people have experienced a moderate amount of adversity in their lives. I wouldn’t suggest seeking out trauma but engaging in challenging experiences that produce ‘ouch’ moments are good for development. Second, what’s the silver lining? People who are able to find benefits in their traumatic experiences tend to bounce back easier. The Buddhists say that pain is experience, and many famous psychologists like Viktor Frankl, Carl Rogers, and Abraham Maslow have highlighted the importance of suffering in achieving life meaning. Of course, if someone feels that they can’t cope with their thoughts and feelings, and it’s affecting their life functioning, then seeking out a mental health professional is warranted. It doesn’t have the same stigma it used to have.
Adverse situations are problems like any other that can be addressed with good problem-solving methods, and a lot of therapy and counseling focus on that. May is Mental Health Awareness Month all around the world. Google that and you’re bound to find resources to help people cope with their distress.
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Stream Chris Sunfield’s latest EP, Far Away Objects, and follow his journey on all platforms via this link.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast