MusicsWeek: What inspired you to become a musician, and what drives you to keep creating music?
SUNSCREEN: Music elicits feelings and emotion unlike any other art form. I connected with music deeply at a young age and knew I wanted to offer that connection to people as I grew up. I hope to offer some sense of hope and inspiration to the people who hear my music and spread a light throughout the world!
Can you tell us about your latest album “EAT SCREEN”? What was the inspiration behind it and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
SUNSCREEN: The album is a blast of serotonin to the system. It’s good vibes, all the time. It’s a statement piece, loudly proclaiming that LIFE IS GOOD if you let it be. I set out to create 10 songs that encapsulate the simple joys and pleasures of life that make up its grander narrative. I hope it gives listeners an escape from the every day monotony of life and puts a smile on their face.
MusicsWeek: How do you approach songwriting? Do you have a specific process or technique that works for you?
SUNSCREEN: I am very production-first minded. I often start with the “pillars” of the production (drums, bass, guitar) and then build melodies/write lyrics from there. At the end, I sprinkle extra fun ear candy production elements that glues the whole song together!
MusicsWeek: Who are some of your biggest influences and how have they impacted your music?
SUNSCREEN: Foster the People, Young the Giant, GROUPLOVE, WALK THE MOON, MGMT, and Misterwives. These were all acts that all came up in the early 2010s that introduced the world to what I consider the golden age of indie pop rock. It’s the type of music that I love most and that continues to inspire me to this day. It’s fun but also substantial in its production and lyrical content.
MusicsWeek: What's been the most challenging part of your career so far and how have you overcome those challenges?
SUNSCREEN: Getting Instagram followers! Lol. I seem to have cracked some code on TikTok, but Instagram has been a little tougher. I tend to focus more on TikTok because of that. My posts tend to reach a wider audience there.
MusicsWeek: How do you balance your creative vision with commercial pressures and expectations from fans and industry professionals?
SUNSCREEN: It helps that I produce my own music. The songs are very commercial - as in, they please a wide audience. That's just because of my natural pop sensibilities and the music I’m influenced by. But also because I want the songs to reach the most people possible! I think there’s a way to infuse my individuality into the songs while also catering to a larger audience. I write with the listener in mind sometimes (but not always) more than myself. I’ve found it to be quite rewarding!
MusicsWeek: Can you walk us through your live performance routine? How do you prepare for shows, and what's your favorite part of performing live?
SUNSCREEN: I haven’t played live and won’t until there’s an undeniable demand for it.
MusicsWeek: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians just starting out in the industry?
SUNSCREEN: STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF! The thing inside of you that makes you YOU is the “genius” that others will point out in what you create!
MusicsWeek: Looking ahead, what are your goals for your next project or milestone in your career? How do you see yourself evolving as an artist in the future?
SUNSCREEN: I am no fortune teller but I hope that I can continue finding new ears with more happy music that I create! I’d like to explore more dance-oriented songs that incorporate poppy danceable elements.
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