In love with the vinyl tradition, Portland’s own psychedelic gaze-wave outfit Sun Atoms has released their latest 7″ record, featuring the new wave-inspired single ‘Ceiling Tiles’ and the charismatic B-side (a unique fuzzed-out tribute to Leonard Cohen) called ‘Tower of Song (in the key of JAMC)’.
Sun Atoms is made up of bassist Peter G. Holmström (The Dandy Warhols, Pete International Airport), vocalist Jsun Atoms (The Upsidedown, Daydream Machine), multi-instrumentalist June Kang, Mars de Ponte (LoveBomb Go-Go), L.A. drummer Eric Rubalcava and Boise native Derek Spencer Longoria-Gomez (Hi Hazel).
Mixed by iconic producer Jagz Kooner (Massive Attack, Primal Scream, Oasis, Garbage), it is released via Little Cloud Records digitally and on 7″ vinyl, previewing Sun Atoms’ sophomore album (out ths summer).
The accompanying video, produced by Bradley Tuazon, follows ghosts on a velvety caper through an endless maze through streets and a 113,000+ square foot state-of-the-art concert venue, the band members appearing like rare birds in the roles of madcap non-conformist odd fellows living outside of the lines.
2021 brought the band’s debut album ‘Let There Be Light’, also produced by Holmström and mixed by the iconic Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, The Cranberries), involving performances by the likes of The Vandelles’ Jasno Swarez, The Black Angels’ Alex Maas and Gregg Williams (Sheryl Crow, Blitzen Trapper).
Mesmerizing and haunting, Jsun Atoms says ‘Ceiling Tiles’ is a song that “reveals a story of characters living under a faux sky being manipulated to make it appear that the stars are aligning, when in fact, above this tiled Truman Show, the stars are doing just that. The characters in the song go about their day-to-day dance while the globe they are spinning on becomes an eye.”
Sun Atoms kicked off 2024 by playing three sold-out shows at Portland’s historic Revolution Hall, opening for Dinosaur Jr., which presented the perfect chance to shoot their new video. With its long stairways and iconic brick facade as the ideal backdrop for this monochromatic video, here unfolds a mysterious tale of characters living between worlds and connected by Jean Cocteau’s famously mirrored portal.
Sun Atoms has also played shows with Modest Mouse, Fishbone, Besnard Lakes, The Veldt and New Candys, as well as performing at Seattle’s Freakout Fest and Portland’s Lose Yr Mind Fest with Allah Las, Broncho and Night Beats.
The ‘Ceiling Tiles’ single is out now, available on beautiful 7″ vinyl and from fine digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Sun Atoms are touring the West Coast in March-April, kicking off with Treefort Festival, along with Ty Segall, A Place To Bury Strangers, Neko Case and Built To Spill. Tickets are available now.
