Sunflower and the Seeds
East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
Music
Press
Folk/rock from New Jersey? Really? The one summer I spent on the Jersey Shore (Seaside Heights…to be exact) all I ever heard was club music and hip-hop. Musically, it was the worst three months of my life! Not that there is anything wrong those genres, I actually dig them…just not 24/7. Needless to say, being able to listen to band as digable as Sunflower and the Seeds would have been a welcome change to Lime and The Cover Girls…although my roomates at the time (Pauly “The Gooch” Gaccione, Joey Tut and John “Mulch” Vilotta) would staunchly disagree!
However, having listened to their 4-song EP entitled This One’s on Us about a gazillion times I must admit I’m quite smitten with their sound. The music of Kyra “Sunflower” Schenck (vox/acoustic guitar), Bo Schenck (keys), Alex Denney (bass), Teddy Owen (electric guitar), Jovan Mann (electric guitar) and Joe Huster (drums) exhibits a certain degree of honest purity that is not always easy to find in today’s commercial/mainstream music scene. I find myself being drawn as much to the melancholy moodiness of “Jellyfish Sunrise” as I am the dark guitar laden jams of “Apocalypse” as both tracks showcase the band’s range and versatility. This versatility of which I speak is further exemplified in “Rain or Shine” which sounds a bit like Edie Brickell fronting the Alman Brothers band while being backed by gospel singers from U2's “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” Way cool. The coolest, however, in my humble (but accurate) opinion is “Sweet Escape.“ It’s bouncy. It’s folksy. It’s soulful…and it rocks. The keys (which sound a lot like a Hammond Organ) really make this song for me, not because they are way out in front but because they provide a colourful backdrop for some wicked guitar work and a vocal element that is truly inspired.
- Drago - Froglix
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Sunflower and the Seeds is a 6-piece folk/rock jam band from north New Jersey that started out as Kyra "Sunflower" Schenck's acoustic act. Shortly, after appearing on the New Jersey open-mic scene in 2007, Kyra joined a local jam band where she met blues-based lead guitarist Teddy Owen and drummer Joe Huster. The three of them became friends instantly, and after the project's demise, she began to realize her true passion and vision: to spread positive vibes and thoughts through music and lyrics. Upon her decision to front her own band, it seemed only natural to include both Joe and Teddy. Boyfriend and bassist Alex Denney and experienced keyboardist (and father) Bo Schenck finalized the band line-up to help bring this vision to reality. Soon after the band started to play live, drummer Joe Huster, suggested to the rest of the group that long-time friend and guitarist Jovan Mann should join the group. Reluctant to include another guitarist in the band, they decided to give Jovan a chance and let him sit-in for a show. Impressed with Jovan's guitar playing, musical sensibility, and personality it was decided that he was a good fit within the band and was included to round out the final line-up for Sunflower and the Seeds.
The sound of the band is unique given the musical diversity between all of the members. Kyra, as the driving force and main songwriter for Sunflower and the Seeds, has a keen ear for both melody and rhythm. Her unique and charming voice compliment her inspirational lyrics, and engaging melodies. Bassist Alex Denney's ability to think outside the box provides the band with melodic, groovy, Paul McCartney-esque basslines that add dynamics and depth to the rhythm section. Drummer Joe Huster's drumming style is undoubtedly loud and powerful. Though his hard rock roots are prominent in his style, his capacity to play more funk-based rhythms help he and Alex lock up in the rhythm section. Bo is the experienced and seasoned musician of the group whom all the band members look up to. His impressive command of the keyboard is second to none, and adds a lush, full, sound to the band. Teddy Owen's guitar is an important factor in the overall sound of the band. His "Hendrix-y" guitar style and and exceptional guitar tone provides an interesting layer to the songs. Jovan's lead guitar style is rooted in a blues-based, hard-rock vein that is slightly more energetic than Teddy's smoother guitar style, and provides the band with a more "rock'n'roll" element. Both Teddy and Jovan's Allman Brothers-like approach to guitar harmonies are a decisive part of the overall sound of Sunflower and the Seeds.
Kyra "sunflower" Schenck
Past experience Includes
Space Puppets
Lions Den NYC
Axis Lounge Carlstadt NJ
Reds Carlstadt NJ
Jose O Reilly Norwood NJ
Solo
The Boogie "Outdoor Music Festival"
Teddy Owen
Past experience Includes
Space Puppets
Lions Den NYC
Axis Lounge Carlstadt NJ
Reds Carlstadt NJ
Jovan Mann
Past experience Includes
Tumbling Dice
The Saint Asbury Park,NJ
The Stone Pony Asbury Park,NJ
Jersey Shows Battle Of The Band "final round"
Festifall Westwood NJ
Lions Den NYC
Joe Huster
Past experience Includes
Tumbling Dice
The Saint Asbury Park,NJ
The Stone Pony Asbury Park,NJ
Jersey Shows Battle Of The Band "final round"
Festifall Westwood NJ
Lions Den NYC
Space Puppets
Lions Den NYC
Axis Lounge Carlstadt NJ
Links
