AOTW -- Sunflower Bean

Posted on Monday 4th April 2022 at 16:00

Written by
Jimi Arundell

New York based band Sunflower Bean are Julia Cumming (vocalist/bassist), Nick Kivlen (guitarist/vocalist), and Olive Faber (drums). Their upbeat, melodic take on psyche rock has certainly impressed, as heard on first albums Human Ceremony and Twentytwo in Blue.

Currently gearing up for the release of new record Headful of Sugar – they are about to tour with tickets available from Gigantic HERE.

Childhood friends Olive Faber and Nick Kivlen were already working together on various musical projects when they met Julia Cumming. Combing indie pop with psychedelic rock, the New York three-piece became Sunflower Bean, creating a fresh sound, brimming with joy and optimism.

Touring extensively, the trio earned a reputation for their work ethic and dedication to playing live, grabbing attention outside their countries confides with their popularity growing here and the rest of Europe as they began playing before the likes of DIIV, Wolf Alice, Best Coast and PIXIES.

They managed to impress after a series of applauded performances at South by Southwest, after which they were soon signed to celebrated indie label Fat Possum Records. In 2016 they dropped debut album Human Ceremony which was received appreciatively by both their growing fanbase and critics, who saw a band only just beginning to make good on their potential.

Two years later; the band were back with their second album Twentytwo in Blue which was a huge success for the band, smashing straight into the Top 40 here in the U.K and widely praised by the music press who celebrated their sophomore record for its wide scope and realising the ambition first hinted of on Human Ceremony. Their biggest record yet was then followed by their King Of The Dudes EP in 2019.

Sunflower Bean have announced that their next album will be titled Headful of Sugar. Recorded at Electric Lady and their very own Sunflower Bean Studios; their eagerly awaited upcoming album promises to be a hedonistic exploration of modern U.S., with all its wild joys countered by the anguish and the alienation caused by the disillusion of the American dreams.

Produced and mixed by Jacob Portrait (UMO) and co-engineered by Olive Faber plus Portrait; Headful of Sugar is scheduled for release in May, shortly after when the trio arrive in the U.K. to tour this month. See Sunflower Bean showcase their exciting new songs and play material from their previous years when you book a ticket with Gigantic – on sale right now!

📆 April 2022

05/04 Sunflower Bean – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

07/04 Sunflower Bean – Electric Ballroom, London

09/04 Sunflower Bean – Thekla, Bristol

10/04 Sunflower Bean – Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth

Sunflower Bean tickets are available with Gigantic.