cran
February 8, 2006
Jannelle Visser
Picture an 11-year-old boy dressed up like a nurse, playing DJ with his own cheesy electronic music to his audience of parents and friends. What do you think happens when this kid grows up a little bit, almost dies a few times, and realizes how much he appreciates life, music, and God? Cran happens. Cran is Jonny Hughes, now one of Trinity’s own, a 1st year Art major, and a musician who has come a long way since his “DJ Nurse” days. Since he started Cran about three years ago, he has stimulated quite an attraction, locally and beyond, to his music. Aside from his trumpet player Neil Zubot, who often plays with Jonny, Cran is a solo act. It has been an intense journey for Jonny, yet he humbly treks on, smiling, trusting God, and of course, making music. Jonny’s style of electronic music, combined with unashamedly
vulnerable vocals, is influenced by artists such as Atron Family, Soul Junk, and Carol King, among others. On describing his style, Jonny says, “If someone’s really into the whole underground or indie scene (Jonny finger quote-unquotes ‘indie scene’) they could understand if I said like indietronica… or glitzpop; but normally people aren’t really into that and I don’t want to sound snobby so I just say, ‘Have you heard of Björk or Radiohead?’ It’s sort of like that.” The name Cran started out as an inside joke, as many good band names do. Jonny found amusement from writing meaningless words on message boards, and the word cran came out as an evolution of words like cranberry, rad, and the expression “keep it real.” He ended up thinking, “If something was really true it should be called cran
because someone who is really superficial and has lots of walls up, to see them say the word cranberry, it looks silly. Anyone who says the word cran can’t say it without laughing or feeling silly.” With the music he creates, Jonny recognizes the opportunity to use his gifts for God. “For Cran, it’s all about trying to witness and this is me trying to witness to people who don’t know God and Jesus, and just to show that, or hopefully show, that not all Christian music has to be cheesy.” He often gets opportunities when talking to people about music, to witness about his faith. “I’ve had tons of surprisingly amazing times talking to people who I know are atheists, or don’t know what they believe, say there’s some kind of purity about me that they really like, or that when I play, it gave them a really
weird feeling that I know is the conviction of the Holy Spirit.” Jonny’s authentic, charismatic character combined with the music of Cran has attracted the interest of more than a few people, including many local bands, and some record labels. Last summer, Jonny played at In Medias Res’ homecoming tour show, with Notes From the Underground and The Robosexuals. “I played like four sets in between every band, and it was one of the greatest days ever. There was like 500 people there and everyone sang along to my sing-along-song ‘We’re Gonna Make It’ and it was just…I almost cried. That was one of my favourites.” As far as other favourites go, Hughes says, “Usually every time I have some kind of crazy health problem and almost die, my favourite shows are the ones that I play two days after that. I
really enjoy those.” He’s not kidding, either. Last semester Cran played a show with Starflyer 59 and Maplewood Lane. Two days prior to this show, Jonny had undergone surgery for testicular cancer. He explained to his parents that it would hurt less if he stood up, and he really had to play. Thankfully, Jonny is now cancer-free. “I’m so happy to be alive . . . just feeling a little frustrated at why that kind of stuff has to happen, and just trying really hard to make the best of it and see God through everything.” Cancer is not the only health struggle Jonny has had. Last year he broke both his arms in an accident that should have been fatal. This incident also only encouraged his optimistic outlook on life and God. “I should’ve been dead, but just knowing that by human standards I shouldn’t be alive–
like it doesn’t actually make any logical sense– [I’ve realized that] God has a calling for me so I can’t be sloppy. I need to work hard when I’m at school and work hard at work and put everything into what I have, because God wanted to spare me. It’s the most intense thing ever.” Jonny gets excited because he strongly believes that he’s doing something with his music that the devil doesn’t want him to do, something for God’s kingdom. He moves forward with an optimistic sense of purpose, values each day of life, and puts all he has into his work and music. Having been through so much, Jonny has some last-minute, lifechanging advice to offer to the masses: “If you want to win the heart of a girl, use domain name jokes. It helps.” Look for Cran’s next album, Arms Legs Feet, to be released in the near future.
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