The Sunstones are a five-piece indie high school rock band created by Bassist/Guitarist and songwriter, Julianne C in the Fall of 2021. Alongside Julianne, the band currently features the multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Jaina W and Melody L, who alternatively display their captivating voices. Supporting them on drums is Mack P. and finally Cole K on guitar. Together, these musicians harness their talent to create captivating performances and music.

In April 2022, The first-ever live performance by The Sunstones was held at the Remmington Community Garden, where they would showcase their musical talents for the first time at the Sound House Showcase. Organized by Maddi Mae, a professional musician with over 25 years of experience in the industry, the Sound House Showcase provided a platform to display emerging talents like The Sunstones. Maddi Mae, not only organized the event, but she also owns the Sound House, a Music School, Songwriting Studio, and Indie Record Label, that has been instrumental in aiding many on their journeys as musicians. Additionally, the Sound House is where the Sunstones were formed, and since then, have continued to hone their skills and produce their music.

The Sunstones would mark their official debut on January 31st, 2024, with the release of “Skipping Seasons” across various platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and many others. “Skipping Seasons” is a song that represents a multitude of things, it’s a song that dives into themes of seasonal depression intertwined with the challenges of growing up in a rapidly changing world with a dystopian path ahead. 

“We tend to talk about the flaws of the world, our perceptions of our lives and the future as we grow, and our longing for the past. However, we incorporate ideas of hope, peace, and healing throughout these struggles. I, and the rest of the band, love to dig deep into the complexities of life, and we hope it shows through our lyrics.”, explained Julianne 

Through its use of upbeat instrumentals, contrasting with its despairing lyrics, “Skipping Seasons” perfectly captures many young adults’ feelings. The song quickly garnered over 1000 streams in less than 48 hours, owing to the relatability and catchy lyrics, infectious melody, and amazing instrumentals.

Following the success of their debut single and driven by a desire to share more music, the Sustones unveiled their second single, “Scrutiny,” which was released on March 10th. This song was created during a writing retreat in April of 2023, where Julianne, Melody, and Jaina had a very thought-provoking conversation with Maddie Mae. The conversation delved into many topics such as identity, the nature of reality, and many other existential musings. The “end of the world” would be one of these topics, with Jaina expressing frustrations towards older generations for leading the world in an unstable position. This frustration would be further emphasized by comments such as, “Welp, the world’s gonna end so good luck with your future!”

While “Scrutiny” shares thematic elements of fear and hope, similar to “Skipping Seasons”, it enforces themes of apprehension further, with lyrics that give a stronger sense of hopelessness. Although glimmers of hope are sprinkled throughout the song, the somber lyrics reinforce the song’s overall melancholy tone. This tone works especially well due to the instrumental arrangement created by Cole, who blends a melancholic guitar with a grooving bass line, creating a distinct sound that shifts from minor to major chords as the song approaches a conclusion. As the track nears a close, a gradual deceleration of all instruments creates an illusion of closure, until a sudden resurgence, leading into a mesmerizing clarinet and vocal duet that gives the song its true ending. This captivating finale adds an extra touch of ethereal beauty, leaving listeners with an unforgettable listening experience. Whether it is facing existential dread, societal expectations, or personal challenges, listeners can find validation of their emotions through the depth of “Scrutiny”. 

As the Sunstones continue making waves in the music scene, many new announcements have followed. The Sunstones are currently working alongside an artist to make their first piece of merchandise: Stickers. The next music-based project is coming on April 22nd, Earth Day, where listeners will get to experience something extraordinarily special, although details will remain as a surprise. For the latest updates and announcements from The Sunstones, be sure to follow  @thesunstonesband on Instagram.