Alternative rock band SUNKIN have a debut single out, with new music currently in the works. The band hopes to get out and play some more shows real soon, releasing more content as well. The band talks about themselves, their name, and the music in-store from them.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
Hector and I met in 2014, on our first day at the University of Westminster. I'm not exactly sure what it was that instantly drew us together. Maybe it was the Zepplin tattoo on his wrist or the fact he was an older, charismatic guy with a half Scottish, half American accent - A product of Hector having studied drums in New York the year prior. Opposite to me at the time; an awkward eighteen-year-old country bumpkin from rural Dorset. But by the end of that day, we were in Harrow Subway together and the bond was formed. It didn't take us long to form our first band 'Gutshot for Broadway'. Armed with self-belief, and determination we started to find our feet in the London music scene eventually selling out shows at The Borderline and The Bar Fly. As well as being played on Radio X and becoming championed by Libertine, Gary Powell. Around this time we met Declan. He was playing bass in a band called 'Sleep Fire'. We instantly hit it off and felt that one day we would be destined to play music together. Eventually, I left the band, spent some time in New York, worked as a porter at an auction house, then a health care assistant at a care home. Eventually, I felt it was time to move back to London and start another band. And SUNKIN was born. The first thing we did was to busk our way across Europe, driving from London to Dubrovnik. Honing our craft and testing our material to countless audiences in eleven different countries. In May of last year, we released our debut single 'The Pond' and throughout the year we've been developing and planning for post-Covid times.
2. What's the origin of the band's name?
As I'm sure most bands can testify, finding and choosing a name is a hard task. Especially when you have to choose a name that hasn't already saturated the internet. The name SUNKIN was Hector's brainchild. He loved the idea of kin coming from kinship, relating and representing our friendship within the band. And the idea that the sun is integral to all of our existence. Stick-em together and you have SUNKIN.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
We're lucky enough to live in London, what many people would consider being the epicentre of music. We're surrounded by incredibly talented bands such as 'Leap', 'Hollis Lomax' plus many more. Hector and I live in a large Victorian house, as part of a guardianship scheme (legal squatting) with 25 other young creatives so inspiration is never hard to find.
4. How would you describe your style?
I feel that this is the dreaded question for most bands yet such an important one. In simple terms, I would describe us as alternative rock. At the rate in which we all musically develop I find it hard to be more specific and almost fearful that we'd be confined to a certain box. My song writing and lyrical influences remain more consistent; feeling that the likes of Joni Mitchel, Leonard Cohen, and Jeff Buckley have always had a profound influence on my writing.
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
In May of last year, we released our debut single 'The Pond' 'The Pond' is about a past long-distance relationship of mine, traveling between London and New York. 'The Pond' a reference to the Atlantic. This song was written during the relationship and gives off a sense of longing and hope. We've just released our follow-up single 'Short and Sweet', about the same relationship but written retrospectively after it had ended but keeping the transatlantic theme. It feels like the perfect bookend to that chapter of my life. 'Short and Sweet' describes the emotional trials and tribulations of attempting to hold the relationship together. Originally it was written as a love letter, then reluctantly made into a song. Having found that It connected to our live audiences the decision was made to release it as our second single. My main goal and hopes are to make connections with people through our music. Most of our songs have a strong and heartfelt story. As a fairly introverted person, this is my form of expression. Making myself vulnerable through my lyrics and vocal delivery I find both petrifying and invigorating.
Song link: https://open.spotify.com/track/6PRkMRGWFybqPCN7QXmfH6?si=cu4rXW8tRSK4ggJ4UjqiFQ.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
We're always working on new music and I try to write whenever I'm inspired. We've only just released 'Short and Sweet' but we can't wait to get back in the studio and work on something new.
Song link: https://open.spotify.com/track/2Hqkua4m7avxOcNAdGjJjZ?si=mL7MA3VBQKGRJkmTZA8oeQ.
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
Given the current circumstances with Covid-19 and the unpredictability of lockdowns and venue restrictions, we don't currently have any dates. However, we hope to be getting back out there playing as soon as restrictions ease. Hopefully in June if all goes to plan. So stay posted.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
As we can finally see light at the end of the Covid tunnel we're excited about the future. We're still a new band and due to Covid, we've only been able to play a handful of shows. That's what we love to do! We just want to play music and perform, meet lots of great people and have a good time.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
We're on all the major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, and YouTube music. If you want to check out our video for 'The Pond' and a few live performances, our YouTube channel is called 'SUNKIN MUSIC'. For updates, subscribe to our mailing list. Mailing list Link: http://eepurl.com/huC3yv.
10. What is it you'd like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
Hope! Life can be really fucking hard, but hope always exists, and every day is a survivable day - tomorrow might even be a fucking great one.
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