Sunflower Bean Five years ago, Sunflower Bean emerged from the New
In the video you asked people how it felt to be young in
York underground looking like the damned love children
2017. What was the best response you got and how would
of Debbie Harry, Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa with an
you answer that question yourselves?
unnerving knack for heavy yet melodic psych rock that was unashamedly dedicated to the spectrum of rock and
Julia: That whole video makes me so emotional. I love
roll. Since then, the band have ridden a wave of varying
seeing those kids (who I guess are basically the same age
soundscapes, notably on their debut, Human Ceremony, not
as us) just having a moment to reflect on how they feel
sticking in one place long enough to get bored, and their
right now. I liked the answers that came with a little bit of a
voyage of self-discovery is what has ultimately become
smile, like “inspiring” or “I feel like we have all the power.”
the liberating, listening experience that is their impending
But there are a lot of kids that just said “it’s really, really
second album, ‘TwentyTwo In Blue’.
chaotic out here” and I agree! I think the times that are the most chaotic and strange also have the capability to be the
Leading single Crisis Fest is the starkest representation
most important and exciting. It really feels like we are on
of the band’s current headspace, with the band declaring
the cusp of something.
that ‘reality’s one big sick show’. It’s the most direct and confident the band have ever sounded and they shared a bit
In relation, how do you feel about being a band in 2018?
more with us about it.
Do you think there’s a lot to take on board these days, such as technology and social media?
Crisis Fest has a more political edge to it, but more than anything, it’s based on solidarity. I like that you’ve kind
Julia: You definitely have to be multidimensional. You’re
of skirted around the notion of “fighting the man” and
expected to share everything, every moment, with the
instead focused on unity and the power young people
world as an audience. I think this aspect of modern life is
can wield. Has living in NY given you insight in to how
fairly exhausting. But it does open up the chances to reach
young people are joining forces?
and communicate with SO many people, and so many different kinds of people. It gives us a certain kind of power
Julia: New York City and cities in general are great for
we didn’t necessarily have before, especially not at our
people getting together and fighting together but I think
fingertips. It also ultimately comes down to the fact that we
actually things like social media are really, really important
would do anything for our art. I would lie in the road for it.
right now as far as seeing the power that we can wield.
Making a post doesn’t seem so hard, in comparison.
What kids or your friend’s post is a great way to spread important information and get an initial clue as to what’s
You recently toured with Wolf Alice and I remember
happening. People are so plugged in now.
reading a tweet from them ages ago where they likened Julia’s voice to butter. What food would you compare
Nick: This song was particularly inspired by getting out
Ellie’s voice to?
of NYC and touring the U.S. In the lead up to the 2016 election we met so many people with so many different
Julia: Ellie’s voice is like a tall, cool glass of water on a hot
points of view, it was really informative. Mostly we met
day. It quenches a primal thirst you forgot you had, yet you
other young people who shared the same uncertainties and
will always need.
anxieties about the future as us.
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Words by Harley Cassidy, illustration by Sam Taylor
