The Sunsets Set to Release First Album

The Sunsets, a local Jacksonville band, known for their electric sounds and smooth saxophone are releasing their first album titled “Heartbeat Massacre.” Their release show is set for July 1, at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia.

Courtesy of The Sunsets

Comprised of the talents of Allen Poore, Breihan Dryden, Daniel O'Donnell, Devin Gordy, and Torsten Dryden, The Sunsets have great potential to be the next big thing in music. I had the opportunity to sit down with lead vocalist and keyboardist Torsten Dryden to talk about what listeners can expect from their first record.

The Sunsets have frequented The Masquerade the past two years. This particular venue is based on the divine comedies; with three separate clubs including Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell. After playing Heaven and Purgatory for so long, the band will complete the trifecta by playing Hell for their debut album show.

Since the release of their EP we have gotten two singles from the album, “The Gospel of John Hughes” and the title track “Heartbeat Massacre.” When asked how the band picked which singles to release Dryden said that it showcased each and every member of the band, and provided a contrasting sound to what we had heard from the EP.

However, rest assured that “Valentine” and “Consolation Prize” will be on the album, but they will be much different from the previous versions we have heard. Some sound changes are influenced by Brett Stewart, an audio engineer and producer who the band is working with. "He's like the unofficial sixth member of the band. He'll actually be coming down to play with us at our album release show," said Dryden.

Courtesy of The Sunsets

Dryden described the band's unique sound as eclectic and new wave post punk. Part of that eclectic sound comes from their use of a saxophone as a lead instrument. Prior to having the saxophone the band was just drums and a keyboard. That changed when the band wanted to cover “Midnight City” by M83.Daniel O'Donnell and the vocalist had been a part of the Marching Southerners together. He very quickly integrated himself into the normal lineup. Out of the twelve track album ten of the songs have the instrument in it.

Being a self managed band comes with its challenges, and Torsten Dryden stated that one hurdle is booking. "We had to become business savvy very quickly when came to negotiating rates, times, and where to play." Dryden went on to say that they follow a pattern of where their favorite bands played at the beginning of their careers, and try to play at similar venues.

The band is currently working on a music video for their song “Consolation Prize” “and Dryden says, "Expect more than one music video to visually help present some of the concepts with the album. That’s all I can say. "

You can hear The Sunsets on Spotify, Apple Music, and right here on 91.9 WLJS!