With such a wondrous presence on the new music scene these last few years, fast-rising Sungaze recently returned to the fold to deliver their soaring new single ‘Lost My Head’.
Marking their third piece of new material so far this year, ‘Lost My Head’ continues to explore the broad and illuminating textures they have explored recently. So we joined bandleaders Ian Hilvert and Ivory Snow to find out more about their ongoing project.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
Ian: My overall background in music started with listening to a ton of 80s music, anything synthy, alternative and moody, to 70s funk and boogie and disco, then to 90’s grunge and alternative rock. I got an electric guitar in 8th grade, and I found punk music (The Tony Hawk soundtracks really got me hip) then I moved on to metal, starting with Metallica and then getting heavier as I learned more technical stuff. My first band was a Horror Punk band (Misfits realm) then I played different kinds of metal after high school and early 20’s, but I moved on from metal as my attitude changed, and I found the likes of Washed out, Tame Impala and Slowdive, and wanted to write music somewhere closer to those sounds. That shift would help form what Sungaze is now.
Ivory: Music was something I always deeply wanted to be a part of, but never quite understood how to get into. For years I had a habit of picking up an instrument, only to drop it a short while later. I think the order was something like flute, guitar, clarinet, keys, and then guitar again, banjo, and then keys again, bass, and then guitar again. The final foray into keys and guitar I just mentioned were both under the guidance of Ian. When he was first starting Sungaze, he needed a keys player, and I offered to fill in temporarily until he found one. He would write all the parts, show me what to do live, and I would replicate it. I eventually began contributing my own lines to the songs, and the confidence I gained from that led to me finally getting the guts to try what I’ve always been the most interested in, which is singing.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
Ian: My favorite bands that have influenced me are Washed Out, Tame Impala, Mastodon, Opeth, Metallica, and Slowdive.
Ivory: I tend to mostly talk about early inspirations whenever this question comes up, but recently I’ve realized that the influences who have shaped my sound the most are actually probably Beirut and Sigur Ros. Both were bands I found in high school and I found myself drawn into the worlds they built with their sound in a way I had never experienced before. I take a lot of inspiration from both artists’ vocal styles—Zach Condon of Beirut, on earlier material especially, uses his voice more as a musical instrument than a way to communicate words, and Sigur Ros sings partially in a self-invented language. I am definitely a person who cares a lot about lyrics, but I care maybe even more about the expression behind them. If a vocal performance can make me feel something, it kind of transcends the words anyway.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
Ian: There wasn’t a single experience that strengthened my resolve to cause me to pursue music seriously so to speak, but instead the whole journey has sort of in a cyclical way given me the willpower and clarity to pursue music in a more fruitful way.
Ivory: Yes. Ian and I went to see Tame Impala when they were touring on Currents (and it was absolutely incredible). Concerts had long been my happy place, but there was a very distinct moment during that one, where we were in the audience looking up at the stage, I think they were playing “Eventually”, and I just remember knowing that it wasn’t enough anymore. I knew there was more for me to experience with music and it wouldn’t be found as a listener. I don’t think I had even started filling in for Ian at this point, so it was strange to have such a strong feeling with essentially nothing to go on.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
Ian: For songwriting, I usually start with chords and guitar sounds that feel inspiring in some fashion, then I’ll figure out the song structure with Ivory, play the instruments, and Ivory will write lyrics. She and I are inspired by a lot of the same stuff so if we both think the chords or parts are strong, the song as a whole will work itself out. Every once in a while I’ll have some lyrics to share, but nowhere near as often as Ivory.
Ivory: There are a few different ways! When it’s one that I have the initial inspiration for, it usually either comes in as only a vocal melody and set of lyrics, or I find a guitar progression that inspires a vocal melody and then lyrics come later. Occasionally, I’ll have a set of words that come to mind with no other context. When that happens, I’ll write them down in my notes app and the next time I find a progression that inspires me, I’ll see if they fit. That third way is partially how the closing track of the upcoming album began.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Ian: A lot of our messages stem from maybe complicated or grand emotions or concepts, there is typically a melancholic undertone to most of our music. I think Ivory said a lot of our songs have the message “it’s okay to not be okay” and while we aren’t looking for any sort of reaction specifically from people, we want to remind the listener of where we are coming from with our soundscapes and vibe.
Ivory: Mostly through personal experience. I take a lot of inspiration from events from my past.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Ivory: Whatever they need.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Ian: All of them.
Ivory: Most challenges come down to finances, if I’m being honest. You seem to either have to spend a considerable amount of time or money in order to get somewhere in this industry—you either need to pay for a really good publicist or team who can get you in front of the right people, or you need to be able to support yourself while you take time away from work in order to tour and get your own name out there. TikTok and other things seem to work for some artists but churning out trendy content doesn’t always feel authentic and (for me anyway) can lead to feeling sort of like “why am I even doing this”.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
Ian: The most rewarding aspect of my musical journey is playing bigger stages, getting more money, and having my band mates enjoy the music that we make.
Ivory: Every time someone tells us our show or songs have helped them in some way. That never gets old and is always the best reminder for why it matters to keep going. You never know who is listening, or what they may be going through.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
Ian: I don’t worry about staying true to anything or even our own music, we just make the music we want to and by default of us being us it sounds like Sungaze. On the industry side of things, my hopes are that artists will continue to get treated better by those in power and that artists and consumers alike will get their needs met with the way they interact with art.
Ivory: Saying yes to the things that feel good and no to the things that don’t.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
Ian: Fans can expect a 3rd album at the end of August, some neat merchandise, and some shows throughout September and October (look on our socials for specifics).
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
Ian: I see Sungaze playing large and inspiring stages with top-notch lighting and sound, touring to many countries and enjoying my friends’ company and all the songs that come from life’s experiences.
Ivory: I’ll let you know when I get there!
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Enjoy Sungaze’s latest single ‘Lost My Head’ below.
