With her new single “Voodoo,” Toronto-based HEDONA deepens her signature exploration of moody, boundary-pushing soundscapes. Melding dark, hypnotic beats with evocative, tongue-in-cheek lyrics that blur the lines between desire and submission, “Voodoo” invites listeners into a world where vulnerability becomes power.
Drawing inspiration from an eclectic mix of influences—from Björk and Kanye to Billie Eilish and Fiona Apple—this Chinese Canadian artist and self-taught producer transforms raw emotion into art.
Born from a journey of carving out space for underrepresented voices in North American media, HEDONA’s latest track is both an intimate confession and a bold declaration, daring us all to embrace our own spellbound dualities.
In “Voodoo,” the lyrics weave a narrative of surrender and control, capturing the intense push and pull of desire. The recurring motif of being a “voodoo doll” suggests a willing submission—a dance between giving in and holding on. HEDONA’s playful yet raw delivery brings to life the struggle between self-worth and the allure of deep connection, revealing the bittersweet nature of love where devotion can border on self-sacrifice. With every verse, the song unravels layers of emotional complexity, inviting listeners to question how far one might go for passion, even when it means bearing the pain for two.
“VOODOO” has such an intense and hypnotic energy. What was the creative spark that led to this track?
My songs often begin with lyrics I’ve already written, and then I move to my production software. But with “VOODOO,” it all started with me experimenting with synths. I accidentally stumbled upon a moody atmosphere, and from there, the lyrics just poured out. Once I realized the song would centre on past relationships, I was able to match the darker, more intense words with the right sonic backdrop. When the line “ripe for the pluckin’, cause I mean nothin’” came to me, I knew instantly that the song was going to be drenched in sorrow, desperation, and raw honesty. That moment really set the tone for how I approached the production.
The song plays with themes of control, desire, and vulnerability. Was there a personal experience that shaped these lyrics?
Oh, definitely—it’s rooted in my past relationships with men! Hahaha. This song is about one relationship that was incredibly unhealthy, maybe even toxic, and co-dependent. Thankfully, I’m not the same person I was back then. But during that time, I tied my self-worth to being in a relationship and seeking attention from men, which is sad in hindsight. Even though I knew, deep down, my partner wasn’t right for me, I was too scared to leave because I didn’t believe I could do better or deserved better. I never stood up for myself, even though I’m usually very blunt and honest, and I ended up molding myself into someone I thought he wanted, just to keep him from leaving. It was manipulative, but it came from a place of desperation.
You describe being a “voodoo doll” in the song—a symbol of both power and submission. What does that imagery mean to you?
To me, being a voodoo doll represents lack of power and to a certain extreme, sacrifice; I’m unable to say no, walk away, or choose myself because I’ve given up all control to my ex. In the song I talk about crawling on hands and knees, doing anything for the person who’s hurting me cause I’m so powerless; I’d do literally anything to keep this person from leaving.
Your sound blends dark, moody production with bold lyricism. How do you approach crafting such immersive sonic landscapes?
I wouldn’t say I have a specific approach—it’s more about letting the ideas flow naturally. When I’m writing, I try to tap into whatever needs to be expressed and stay as honest as I can. I tend to add a bit of a dramatic twist to things, especially when the lyrics are as desperate and tragic as in “VOODOO.” The mood of the song called for that kind of melodramatic backdrop. I produced it to the best of my ability at the time, but I was fortunate to have Olivier Bassil co-produce. He brought a whole new cinematic layer to the production that helped elevate it.
I don’t know if I really have an approach. The ideas kind of just come out. With songs, I must figure out what wants to be expressed and be as honest as possible. I guess I do put a dramatic twist on everything and because of the desperation and tragedy of the lyrics, it needed a more melodramatic backdrop. I produced VOODOO to the level I could at the time and luckily Olivier Bassil, who helped co-produce the song, was able to bring more cinematic elements to the production.
You cite a diverse range of influences, from Björk to Kanye to Billie Eilish. How do these artists inspire your own music and production style?
These artists have all shown me that it’s okay to break free from fitting into a specific genre or box, and that’s something I really admire about them. They each have a unique ability to blend different sounds and styles seamlessly, and that approach resonates with me.
In terms of production, Björk and the music I grew up listening to—like alternative rock, electronica, and trip-hop—have had the biggest impact. I’ve often heard people say they can hear traces of Björk and Portishead in my work, and I take that as a huge compliment.
Though I listened to a lot of pop growing up, it was those alternative genres that really shaped how I approach production. For example, Björk’s song “Crystalline” directly influenced the bridge in “VOODOO.” I loved the unexpected drum and bass section in her track, and I thought, “How cool would it be to have something like that in my own song?” Of course, my version is much more stripped back, but it’s an example of how Björk’s unique style has made its way into my production.
As a Chinese Canadian artist and self-taught producer, how has your journey in the music industry shaped your artistry and perspective?
The way I see the world and my own identity has been deeply shaped by my experiences. Like many Asian kids, I rarely saw people who looked like me in North American media, but I didn’t fully realize how much that impacted me until recently, with Asian representation finally gaining more visibility. As a child, I often rejected my heritage, but over time, I’ve come to embrace it and appreciate it in a much deeper way—especially through music, which has allowed me to reconnect with my roots.
I took a nontraditional path into music, finding the courage to pursue it in my 30s after spending eight years in corporate life. Now, my focus is on telling my story and expressing myself in ways I never could before. My story may not be unique, but I believe the way I tell it is. As an Asian woman, there’s often an expectation for me to be quiet and submissive, but I don’t fit that mold. I’ve got a shaved head, I speak my mind, and I refuse to be told what to do. That defiance is reflected in my music—it’s not meant to fit into any box, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The lens through which I see the world and view my own subjectivity has been shaped very heavily growing up as a Chinese Canadian. Like many Asian kids, I never saw myself represented in North American media, but I never really understood the impact that had on me until recently with Asian representation finally being a thing. I rejected my heritage a lot as a kid but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve finally started to appreciate it more. Music has also been able to help me connect back with it in a much deeper way.
I finally found the courage to pursue music in my 30s after eight years of corporate life, and all I want to do now is to tell my story and express myself in a way I was never able to before. My story isn’t a unique one but I know I have a unique way of telling it. I think as an Asian female I’m expected to be docile and submissive, but I have a shaved head, I speak my mind, and I can’t be told what to do. And my music reflects that. I don’t fit into a box, nor would I ever want to.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned as an artist so far in your career?
Oh man, that’s a tough question to answer! There have been so many lessons, but the biggest one has been learning to stop judging myself so harshly. I used to be my toughest critic, but what I’ve realized is that most people aren’t judging me at all—in fact, they just want to support me. That shift in perspective has been a huge revelation.
“VOODOO” seems to explore the blurred lines between love and self-sacrifice. What message do you hope listeners take away from the song?
I wrote this song to process my own experiences with relationships, but I know my story isn’t unique. So many women have been conditioned to prioritize men and relationships over their own well-being, because we’re taught that we’re not worthy or beautiful unless we’re partnered. It’s total bullshit. My hope is that women hear this song and reclaim their power—recognize their worth within themselves, not from someone else. If even one person listens to it and feels inspired to cultivate more self-love, I’ll be beyond happy.
What can you tell us about the music video for “VOODOO”?
I shot the “VOODOO” video about a year and a half ago in LA with an incredibly talented team of friends, and I’m beyond proud of how it turned out. The energy on set was incredible—those two days of filming felt almost magical. The people involved were all so passionate and creative, and it really shows in the final product. To me, the video is the perfect visual embodiment of the song itself: it captures that balance between being edgy and bold, while still maintaining a sense of vulnerability and sensuality. It was a really special experience to bring the song to life in that way, and I think the video reflects the raw emotion and intensity of the track.
What’s next for you after “VOODOO”? Can fans expect more singles, an EP, or any live performances soon?
Yes, absolutely! I’ve been working hard on finishing up more music. “VOODOO” is the second single from my debut EP, BEAUTY, and the final track will be released in a couple of months. But that’s not all—I’m also planning to drop a second EP later this year. There’s a lot happening, and I’m beyond excited to share everything with everyone soon. So, stay tuned!
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