Complete List Of Cannons Band Members

Feature Photo: Spaceagegirl174, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

From a fortuitous Craigslist connection to topping Billboard charts, Cannons has emerged as one of indie-pop’s most captivating success stories, blending nostalgic synth textures with modern sensibilities to create an intoxicating sonic cocktail that feels both familiar and fresh. Formed in 2013 when Florida transplant Michelle Joy answered an advertisement posted by childhood friends Ryan Clapham and Paul Davis, the Los Angeles-based trio worked remotely at first, crafting their distinct sound through email exchanges before finally meeting in person to discover their remarkable musical chemistry was just as strong face-to-face.

Their genre-defying approach—seamlessly combining elements of dreamy electro-pop, sultry dance-rock, and ’80s-influenced production with Joy’s ethereal vocals—gradually built momentum through independent releases before reaching a breakthrough moment when their 2019 single “Fire For You” featured prominently in Netflix’s hit series “Never Have I Ever,” catapulting them from underground favorites to mainstream recognition. This unexpected spotlight led to a major label deal with Columbia Records, a #1 position on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, and an expanding international audience drawn to their distinctive blend of atmospheric production, infectious hooks, and emotional authenticity.

Now with four albums to their name—from 2017’s self-released “Night Drive” to 2023’s polished “Heartbeat Highway”—Cannons has evolved from indie underdogs to festival mainstays while maintaining the core musical values that brought them together: creating timeless yet contemporary songs that simultaneously evoke nostalgia and point toward new sonic possibilities. Through their remarkable decade-long journey from email collaborators to global touring act, this uniquely symbiotic trio continues to prove that genuine musical connection can still cut through industry noise, demonstrating how patience, persistence, and unwavering commitment to artistic vision can transform a digital-age meetup into one of modern indie pop’s most compelling success stories.

Michelle Joy

Michelle Joy, the captivating vocalist and lyricist behind Cannons’ dreamlike soundscapes, brings an ethereal presence and emotional authenticity to the trio that transformed them from promising indie act to breakthrough success. Born and raised in Florida, Joy cultivated a secret passion for singing and songwriting from an early age, filling journals with lyrics while keeping her musical ambitions largely private. After studying at Florida State University, where she was exposed to diverse artists at the campus venue Club Downunder, Joy made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles in pursuit of musical collaboration. In 2013, without knowing anyone in the city, she posted a fateful advertisement on Craigslist seeking bandmates that would connect her with Ryan Clapham and Paul Davis, completing the Cannons lineup. Joy’s willingness to take this leap of faith—moving across the country and reaching out to strangers online—demonstrated the determination and artistic courage that would later define her performance style and career trajectory.

What makes Joy’s presence in Cannons so distinctive is her ability to infuse the band’s electronic-based productions with genuine emotional depth and subtle vocal nuance. Her breathy, sensual delivery brings a human warmth to the trio’s synth-laden tracks, creating a compelling contrast between technological precision and organic expression. This duality is perfectly showcased in “Fire For You,” the breakthrough hit that catapulted Cannons to mainstream recognition after featuring in Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever.” Written during a particularly painful breakup, the song demonstrates Joy’s talent for transforming personal heartache into universally resonant art. Her lyrics typically balance introspective vulnerability with poetic ambiguity, allowing listeners to project their own experiences onto the emotional landscapes she creates. When performing live, Joy’s understated yet magnetic stage presence creates an intimate connection with audiences that belies the band’s increasingly large venues—maintaining the emotional authenticity that attracted fans to Cannons’ music in the first place.

Beyond her musical contributions, Joy’s personal journey from private songwriter to frontwoman of a globally touring band represents the transformative power of artistic risk-taking. Prior to finding success with Cannons, she worked various jobs in Los Angeles—including barista, restaurant server, photographer representative, and behavioral therapist for children with autism—while nurturing her musical aspirations. Cannons marks her first experience in a band, making their rise even more remarkable given her lack of previous professional performing experience. Throughout the band’s evolution from independent releases to major label support, Joy has maintained a grounded perspective on their success, expressing genuine gratitude for milestone achievements like radio airplay and festival appearances. Her unmistakable voice and distinctive lyrical perspective have become defining elements of Cannons’ appeal, creating a sound that feels simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary, intimate yet universal. Through her artistic partnership with Clapham and Davis, Joy has found the perfect vehicle for her once-hidden talents, transforming from Craigslist seeker to acclaimed vocalist whose distinctive delivery has helped define a unique space in modern indie pop.

Ryan Clapham

Ryan Clapham, Cannons’ innovative guitarist and co-founder, crafts the distinctive melodic frameworks and textural soundscapes that give the trio its signature blend of retro atmospherics and contemporary sheen. Raised in Los Angeles, Clapham formed a musical bond with childhood friend Paul Davis during their teenage years, when the duo explored decidedly heavier sonic territory, jamming to metal acts like Pantera and Slayer—a stark contrast to the dreamy electro-pop they would eventually create with Cannons. This early period of musical experimentation established not only their creative partnership but also developed the technical proficiency and genre fluidity that would later enable Cannons’ distinctive cross-pollination of styles. In 2013, Clapham and Davis took a crucial step toward forming their current band when they posted a Craigslist advertisement seeking a vocalist, leading to their fortuitous connection with Michelle Joy. The trio initially collaborated remotely, with Clapham and Davis sending instrumental tracks to Joy, who would add vocals and lyrics before returning the files—an unconventional beginning that somehow yielded immediate musical chemistry.

Clapham’s guitar approach in Cannons represents a masterful reimagining of various vintage influences filtered through a contemporary sensibility. His playing combines elements of ’80s new wave, disco, dream pop, and surf rock into a cohesive style that serves as the perfect complement to Joy’s ethereal vocals and Davis’s synthesizer foundations. Rather than dominating the sonic landscape with flashy solos or aggressive riffing, Clapham employs subtle melodic motifs, atmospheric textures, and perfectly placed rhythmic figures that enhance the emotional impact of each composition. This restrained yet deeply expressive approach is exemplified in breakthrough hits like “Fire For You,” where his delicate guitar work creates an expansive emotional canvas while leaving ample space for Joy’s vocals to resonate. As the band has evolved from their independently released 2017 debut “Night Drive” through their major label output, Clapham has continually refined his sound, incorporating new influences and techniques while maintaining the core elements that define Cannons’ distinctive aesthetic.

Beyond his instrumental contributions, Clapham plays a crucial role in Cannons’ songwriting and production processes, working closely with Davis to craft the musical foundations upon which Joy builds her vocal melodies and lyrics. His background in various musical genres allows him to draw from diverse influences while maintaining a consistent artistic vision—a quality that has helped Cannons avoid being pigeonholed despite their clearly identifiable sound. As the band has transitioned from underground favorite to mainstream success following their breakthrough with “Fire For You,” Clapham has embraced larger stages and increased visibility while staying true to the musical principles that inspired the group’s formation. Whether performing at intimate venues or major festivals like Coachella, his understated yet essential playing provides the perfect sonic architecture for Cannons’ dreamlike musical world. Through his creative partnership with Davis and Joy, Clapham has helped create a sound that feels simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking—a delicate balance that continues to attract new listeners while rewarding longtime fans with each subsequent release.

Paul Davis

Paul Davis, Cannons’ multi-instrumentalist keyboardist, bassist, and production architect, forms the foundational sonic backbone that enables the trio’s seamless blend of vintage influences and contemporary electronic textures. Growing up in Los Angeles alongside childhood friend Ryan Clapham, Davis began his musical journey as a teenager, when the duo would jam together playing styles far removed from Cannons’ dreamy electro-pop—primarily metal and hard rock from bands like Pantera and Slayer. This early period of musical exploration established not only their creative partnership but also developed the technical versatility that would later allow Davis to craft Cannons’ lush, multi-layered productions. In 2013, Davis and Clapham decided to form a new project and posted a Craigslist advertisement seeking a vocalist, leading to their fateful connection with Michelle Joy. The trio initially collaborated remotely, with Davis and Clapham creating instrumental tracks and sending them to Joy, who would add vocal melodies and lyrics—an unconventional beginning that nonetheless produced immediate musical chemistry.

Davis’s role in Cannons encompasses multiple essential functions, from creating the synthesizer landscapes that define the band’s atmospheric sound to engineering the precision bass lines that drive their infectious grooves. His production approach skillfully bridges disparate eras and genres, incorporating elements of ’70s disco, ’80s new wave, and modern electronic music into a cohesive aesthetic that feels both familiar and fresh. This richly detailed sonic palette creates the perfect foundation for Joy’s ethereal vocals and Clapham’s textural guitar work, resulting in Cannons’ distinctive dreamlike quality. Davis’s contributions are particularly evident in the band’s breakthrough hit “Fire For You,” where his synthesizer arrangements and programming choices create a hypnotic backdrop that enhances the emotional resonance of the song. As the band has evolved from their 2017 debut “Night Drive” through subsequent releases, Davis has continuously refined their sound while maintaining the core elements that make Cannons immediately recognizable.

Beyond his instrumental and production contributions, Davis serves as a crucial creative partner in Cannons’ songwriting process, working closely with Clapham to develop the musical structures and sonic environments that inspire Joy’s vocal performances. His technical expertise in the studio has been essential to the band’s development, allowing them to maintain a consistent artistic vision while expanding their sonic palette with each release. In interviews, Davis has cited films and video game music as significant influences on his approach, explaining how these visual media inform the cinematic quality that pervades Cannons’ work. As the band has transitioned from independent releases to major label support following their breakthrough with “Fire For You,” Davis has embraced the expanded opportunities while ensuring that their artistic integrity remains intact. Through his multi-faceted contributions as instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter, Davis has helped create a sound that transcends simple genre classifications—a sound that continues to evolve while remaining distinctively, unmistakably Cannons.

“Fire For You”

“Fire For You,” the breakthrough single that transformed Cannons from indie darlings to chart-topping success, perfectly encapsulates the band’s signature blend of dreamy atmosphere, emotional authenticity, and nostalgic synth textures. Released on their 2019 album “Shadows,” the track initially received modest attention before experiencing an unexpected resurgence when featured prominently in the Netflix series “Never Have I Ever” in 2020, creating a pivotal moment that would forever alter the band’s trajectory. The song’s journey from album track to viral phenomenon demonstrates both the unpredictable nature of modern music discovery and the timeless appeal of Cannons’ distinctive sound. Michelle Joy’s lyrics, inspired by a particularly difficult breakup she was experiencing during the writing process, convey heartache with poetic restraint, while her ethereal vocal delivery adds layers of nuance to the emotional narrative. This personal foundation gives the track an emotional authenticity that resonates beyond its dreamy production, connecting with listeners who recognize their own experiences in Joy’s delicately expressed vulnerability.

Musically, “Fire For You” showcases each band member’s distinctive contributions while highlighting their remarkable synergy as a creative unit. Ryan Clapham’s subtle guitar work provides textural depth and melodic counterpoint without overshadowing the song’s synth-driven foundation, while Paul Davis’s production creates a lush sonic landscape that feels simultaneously retro and contemporary. The track’s gently pulsing rhythm and carefully crafted arrangement demonstrate Cannons’ gift for creating music that works equally well for attentive headphone listening or as the soundtrack to a pivotal emotional moment—a quality that likely contributed to its effective use in “Never Have I Ever.” Following its featured placement in the show, “Fire For You” experienced exponential growth across platforms, climbing to #1 on various Billboard charts including Alternative Airplay, demonstrating how a single well-placed sync can dramatically amplify a band’s reach in the streaming era. This unexpected success led to Cannons signing with Columbia Records, transitioning from independent artists to major label support without compromising their artistic identity.

Beyond its commercial impact, “Fire For You” represents a creative turning point for Cannons, capturing the band at a moment when their distinctive sound had fully crystallized after years of development. While earlier releases had shown promise, this track demonstrated their ability to distill various influences into something uniquely their own—a sound that feels familiar enough to immediately connect with listeners yet distinctive enough to stand out in an oversaturated musical landscape. The song’s success story also illustrates the band’s patience and persistence, as “Fire For You” was initially released in 2019 before finding its wider audience a year later, rewarding their long-term commitment to their artistic vision. For many listeners, this track served as an introduction to Cannons’ dreamy musical world, creating a foundation of connection that has supported their continued growth across subsequent releases. As the defining moment in their career thus far, “Fire For You” demonstrates how a perfectly crafted song can transcend its origins to become something larger—a cultural touchstone that opens doors not just for its creators but for listeners seeking emotional resonance in an increasingly disconnected world.

Night Drive

“Night Drive,” Cannons’ self-released debut album from 2017, established the foundational elements of their distinctive sound while showcasing the remarkable chemistry that emerged from their unconventional formation. Released four years after Michelle Joy connected with Ryan Clapham and Paul Davis through Craigslist, the album represented the culmination of their early experiments and musical explorations, proving that their initial long-distance collaboration had evolved into a cohesive artistic vision. Though created with modest resources and released independently, “Night Drive” demonstrated a remarkable level of sonic sophistication and production clarity that belied the band’s unsigned status. True to its title, the album creates an immersive nocturnal atmosphere perfect for late-evening drives, blending dreamy synthscapes, subtle guitar textures, and Joy’s ethereal vocals into a cohesive listening experience that flows seamlessly from track to track. Songs like “Miracle,” “Can You Feel It,” and the title track established the template for Cannons’ unique fusion of retro influences and contemporary sensibilities, drawing from ’80s synthpop, disco, dream pop, and modern electronic music without feeling derivative of any single source.

While “Night Drive” didn’t achieve the commercial breakthrough that later releases would bring, it earned Cannons a dedicated following within indie music circles, particularly among listeners drawn to its nostalgic yet fresh aesthetic. The album’s ten tracks showcase the band’s gift for creating music that feels simultaneously intimate and expansive, with Joy’s understated yet emotionally resonant vocals floating above Clapham and Davis’s carefully crafted instrumental arrangements. Standout tracks like “High off Love” and “100 Lovers” hint at the crossover potential that would later materialize with “Fire For You,” combining accessible melodic hooks with distinctive production choices that set Cannons apart from their contemporaries. Guest contributions, including Jeff Shook’s lap and pedal steel on “100 Lovers,” add textural variety while maintaining the album’s cohesive sonic palette, demonstrating the band’s willingness to expand their sound without compromising its essential character.

As the first full-length document of Cannons’ musical universe, “Night Drive” remains an important entry point for fans discovering their discography in reverse chronological order following their more recent mainstream success. While the band’s sound has evolved and refined through subsequent releases, this debut album contains the DNA of everything that makes their music special—the dreamy atmospherics, Joy’s distinctive vocal approach, the balance of electronic and organic elements, and the emotional authenticity that pervades even their most production-heavy tracks. In retrospect, “Night Drive” appears not as a tentative first step but as a confidently executed artistic statement from a band that already knew exactly what they wanted to accomplish sonically, even before wider recognition came their way. For Cannons, this independent release represented both an end to their formative period and the beginning of a journey that would eventually lead them from self-released projects to major label support, festival stages, and international tours—all while maintaining the creative integrity and distinctive sound first established on this remarkable debut.

Shadows

“Shadows,” Cannons’ sophomore album released in 2019 through AntiFragile Music, marked a crucial evolution in the band’s sound while containing the breakthrough single that would eventually transform their career trajectory. Building upon the dreamy foundation established on their 2017 debut “Night Drive,” this second full-length offering refined their distinctive blend of retro-influenced electro-pop while introducing subtle new dimensions to their sonic palette. The album demonstrates increased confidence and technical sophistication in both composition and production, with Michelle Joy’s vocals taking on greater emotional range while Ryan Clapham and Paul Davis craft more intricate and varied instrumental backdrops. Throughout its runtime, “Shadows” maintains the nocturnal atmosphere suggested by its title, creating immersive soundscapes that balance danceable grooves with introspective moments of quiet beauty. The album’s cohesive mood and consistent quality established Cannons as artists with a clear creative vision rather than merely a collection of singles, enhancing their credibility within indie music circles even before wider commercial recognition arrived.

Most significantly, “Shadows” contained “Fire For You,” the track that would eventually become Cannons’ breakthrough hit after being featured in Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever” in 2020, climbing to #1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart and leading to their signing with Columbia Records. While the album’s initial release garnered modest attention, this subsequent mainstream breakthrough cast “Shadows” in a new light, introducing many listeners to the band’s broader artistic vision after discovering them through their hit single. Other standout tracks like “Talk Talk” and “Bad Dream” further showcase the band’s gift for creating emotionally resonant electro-pop that feels both timeless and contemporary, drawing from vintage influences while avoiding simple pastiche or nostalgia. Throughout the album, Joy’s ethereal vocals float above Clapham’s textural guitar work and Davis’s lush synth arrangements, creating a distinctive sound that would become immediately identifiable as uniquely Cannons.

As the album that contained their eventual breakthrough hit, “Shadows” occupies a special place in Cannons’ discography—representing both their pre-fame artistic development and the seeds of their subsequent commercial success. The quality and consistency of the material surrounding “Fire For You” ensured that listeners who discovered the band through their hit single found an entire album worth exploring, helping convert casual listeners into dedicated fans. In retrospect, “Shadows” appears as a perfect middle chapter in Cannons’ story thus far—more polished and assured than their debut while retaining the indie spirit and creative freedom that preceded their major label signing. The album’s thoughtful balance of accessibility and artistic integrity established a template that the band would continue to follow even as their audience expanded dramatically, maintaining their distinctive sound while reaching increasingly larger audiences. For many fans who discovered Cannons through “Fire For You,” exploring “Shadows” in its entirety provided a deeper understanding of the band’s musical world and artistic vision, revealing the rich creative context from which their breakthrough hit emerged.

Fever Dream

“Fever Dream,” released in 2022, marked Cannons’ major label debut with Columbia Records following their breakthrough success with “Fire For You,” representing both a culmination of their independent journey and the beginning of a new chapter with expanded resources and visibility. As their first full-length album since signing to a major label, the release carried inevitable expectations while challenging the trio to maintain their distinctive sound and artistic integrity within a more commercial context. Rather than dramatically reinventing their approach, Cannons wisely chose to evolve their established sonic template, refining and enhancing the dreamy electro-pop that had earned them recognition while introducing subtle new dimensions to their musical palette. Throughout the album, Michelle Joy’s ethereal vocals remain the emotional center around which Ryan Clapham’s textural guitar work and Paul Davis’s lush synth arrangements orbit, creating the immersive atmospheric quality that had become the band’s signature. Singles like “Bad Dream” and “Hurricane” demonstrated their continued ability to craft songs that balance immediate appeal with sophisticated production and emotional depth, maintaining the delicate equilibrium between accessibility and artistic substance.

What distinguishes “Fever Dream” from Cannons’ earlier independent releases is not a fundamental shift in sound but rather an increased confidence and clarity in their execution, benefiting from the expanded production resources available through their major label partnership. The album’s polished production enhances the dreamy quality of their music without sacrificing the human elements that provide emotional connection, striking a balance that many artists struggle to maintain after transitioning to larger labels. Joy’s lyrics throughout the album maintain the poetic ambiguity and emotional authenticity that characterized earlier work, allowing listeners to project their own experiences onto the songs while still conveying specific emotional landscapes. While “Fever Dream” may lack some of the raw charm of their independent releases, it compensates with a more fully realized version of their musical vision, presenting Cannons’ distinctive sound with increased clarity and impact.

As a document of Cannons’ evolution from indie darlings to major label artists, “Fever Dream” represents a successful navigation of a transition that has derailed many promising bands. Rather than attempting to dramatically broaden their appeal through stylistic compromises, the trio maintained their artistic identity while embracing the opportunities afforded by their new platform. The album performed well critically and commercially, consolidating the audience they had built following “Fire For You” while attracting new listeners drawn to their more visible major label presence. For longtime fans concerned about how Columbia’s involvement might affect the band’s sound, “Fever Dream” offered reassurance that Cannons remained committed to their distinctive musical approach regardless of commercial considerations. In the context of their overall discography, the album stands as a natural progression rather than a dramatic departure, demonstrating how a band can evolve within an established sonic framework while avoiding stagnation or repetition. “Fever Dream” thus represents a crucial bridge between Cannons’ independent origins and their continuing development as artists with expanding horizons and growing ambitions.

Heartbeat Highway

“Heartbeat Highway,” released in 2023, represents Cannons’ most refined and confident artistic statement to date, building upon their major label debut “Fever Dream” while further developing their distinctive blend of dreamy atmospherics, danceable grooves, and emotional authenticity. As the title suggests, the album embraces a road trip aesthetic, creating soundscapes perfectly suited for nighttime drives along coastal highways or desert roads—a thematic extension of the nocturnal moods they’ve explored since their 2017 debut “Night Drive.” Throughout the record, Michelle Joy’s ethereal vocals achieve new levels of nuance and emotional expression, while Ryan Clapham’s guitar work and Paul Davis’s production create increasingly sophisticated sonic environments that enhance rather than overshadow the fundamental emotional impact of each song.

Singles like “Loving You” and “Hurricane” showcase the band’s gift for crafting tracks that function equally well on dance floors and in intimate headphone listening sessions, demonstrating their increasing mastery of dynamics and arrangement. The album maintains Cannons’ signature dreamy quality while introducing subtle new textures and influences, continuing their pattern of evolution within a consistent artistic framework.

What distinguishes “Heartbeat Highway” within Cannons’ discography is the increased cohesion between its individual tracks, creating a more immersive listening experience that rewards experiencing the album as a complete work rather than isolated singles. While their previous releases contained standout tracks connected by a general aesthetic, this album achieves a greater sense of intentional sequencing and thematic development, enhancing the road trip concept implied by its title. Joy’s lyrics throughout the album balance romantic themes with broader existential reflections, creating emotional landscapes that feel simultaneously intimate and universal. The production quality benefits from the band’s continued partnership with Columbia Records while maintaining the distinctive character that earned them recognition as independent artists, striking a delicate balance between polish and personality that many bands struggle to achieve on major labels. Throughout “Heartbeat Highway,” Cannons demonstrate increased confidence in their artistic vision, making subtle expansions to their sonic palette without sacrificing the core elements that define their identity.

Released as Cannons’ audience continued to expand internationally—with sold-out European tour dates and major festival appearances—”Heartbeat Highway” represents a band confidently embracing larger stages while maintaining the intimate connection with listeners that characterized their independent beginnings. The album’s reception validated their approach of gradual evolution rather than dramatic reinvention, earning critical praise and strengthening their growing fanbase. For listeners who discovered Cannons through “Fire For You” or their major label debut “Fever Dream,” this follow-up confirms the band’s ability to sustain artistic momentum beyond their breakthrough moment—a crucial test that many acts fail after initial success.

Rather than chasing trends or attempting to replicate past hits, “Heartbeat Highway” demonstrates Cannons’ commitment to organic artistic development guided by their distinctive sensibilities rather than external pressures. As the most recent chapter in their continuing story, the album positions the trio not as fleeting beneficiaries of algorithm-driven virality but as artists with genuine staying power and a clear creative vision that continues to evolve while remaining true to its essential character.