Suns (Chicago, IL)
Nick Enderle- guitars, mandolin, springs, vocals
Matt Lemke- rhodes, magnus, harmonium, synth, guitar, vocals
Kody Nixon- bass, banjo, vocals
Mikey Russell- guitars, vocals
Clinton Weber- drums, glockenspiel, vocals
Chris Pagnani- drums, clarinet, vocals
Close Calls In The U.S. Space Program (Self-Released)
The Howl And The Many (Self-Released)
Suns is a new sound made up of old musical souls providing a breathing tapestry of well-loved Chicago bands. The band was originally hatched by guitarist/vocalist Mikey Russell who, having recovered from the split of his band Wax on Radio, decided to immerse himself in music once again. Composed of members from such bands as Blame Twlight, Eli, The Found Me They Named Me, and the aforementioned Wax On Radio, Suns’ first release is the double EP Close Calls in the U.S. Space Program / The Howl and the Many. It is not very often you see a debut shrouded in such confident ambition but Suns are anything but ordinary. A solid six, including everything from guitar, mandolin, banjo, and bass to synth, glockenspiel and dual drummers, Suns’ progressive indie rock is truly a sound to behold.
These two EPs showcase Suns’ talent for richly layering their sound and making the most of their six-man line up with epic builds, soulful vocals, and fluctuating tempos. As all the strings, pedals, and sticks engulf one another it is easy to imagine the band achieving the ability to levitate through their soaring musical landscapes. From ragged cries to twinkling synth, Suns has a foreboding sound that compels the listener to hang on every coming movement. The vocals seem most vulnerable, rasping with the same anguished quality Johnny Cash perfected, while the rest of the band carries out a march-like tempo to support crashing cymbals, droning guitar and ambient buzzing. There is a ghostly quality that never leaves the darker aggression of Suns, as if the band sees something no one else can. Plugging along with its accordion, wiry strumming and clarinet, Suns possess an element of something spectral before bursting forth in another surge of percussive energy. Ending on a note of sticking confrontation, Suns has resoundingly fired the first shot in what surely will be an epic battle.
- Samantha Gordon of Reviewsic.com contributed extensively to this bio
Press Contact: Will Miller – will@beartrappr.com
