Acclaimed pop-folk duo Sunflower Thieves have caught the attention of audiences across the globe through their unique blend of soulfully majestic vocals & artistically illustrative compositions.
Not long ago, this talented duo released the soulfully exuberating single “I Don’t Know Why” & have kindly taken the time to discuss their latest musical unveiling, along with getting to know more about the artists behind the music. You can check out the full interview below.
Hey Sunflower Thieves, thank you so much for this interview. Can you start by telling the readers a little about yourselves?
Sunflower Thieves: Hey! We are Amy and Lily, we’ve been friends for as long as we can remember. We don’t really know what genre Sunflower Thieves fits into, but you’ll find us somewhere in between indie-pop, singer-songwriter alt-dream folk. Not sure that’s all that helpful – probably best to just listen for yourself! We’re originally from Derbyshire and now based in Leeds. We love Phoebe Bridgers, we love finding pre-loved clothes bargains and we love playing our songs live. Oh, and we’re both vegans.
When did you first discover your passion for music?
Sunflower Thieves: We grew up in Derbyshire, in a town with a very creative, artsy community and were always encouraged to be creative, and taken to see live music. Our childhoods were full of live folk music – storytelling artists who have definitely inspired us in our own writing. We both had music tuition [both on piano, Lily on trumpet, Amy on flute] and attended a local children’s choir for a few years too.
How did the idea to form Sunflower Thieves first come together?
Sunflower Thieves: There was a local open mic about halfway between our childhood homes, and we used to go there and play a couple of cover versions of our favourite songs at the time, both sat behind the one keyboard with the lyrics printed out in front of us haha. We began performing at charity events and local day festivals and eventually began writing our own songs.
As we started performing more and more, we decided we needed a name, and that’s when we became Sunflower Thieves!
Have you always known that you wanted to pursue a career within the music industry?
Sunflower Thieves: No! Haha. Lily always says she decided when she was little that she never wanted to be a musician. And Amy never really considered it until after leaving school. We’ve taken different journeys to do it, but the different experiences we’ve had have definitely come together to create what we now do and how we do it.
How would you describe your musical style to someone unfamiliar with your music?
Sunflower Thieves: As above – somewhere in the singer-songwriter alt-folk indie world haha. What are genres anymore anyway? Think Phoebe Bridgers, Fenne Lily, Lucy Rose. Our official bio reads something like: a strong soulful sisterhood, nurturing a sound through ethereal vocal harmonies and honest lyrics to soothe the mind.
You recently released the single “I Don’t Know Why”. How did the idea for the song come together?
Sunflower Thieves: I Don’t Know Why was written by one of our best friends, and favourite co-writers, Tom Hammond. He has his own project, ‘Heir’, also based in Leeds – you should check them out! He wrote it while doing one of those ‘write-a-song-a-day’ challenges during lockdown. The song is about how complicated close relationships can be. How the differences in the way we live our lives and follow what we think can affect our understanding of each other, and equally of ourselves.
Did you always plan to release “I Don’t Know Why” as a single?
Sunflower Thieves: Actually, no. It was hard to work out which songs would be singles, and even which would make it onto the EP! This song is so simple sonically, and so intricate lyrically, and definitely isn’t a classic, big pop single. But it works! We’ve had such lovely support for this song, including our first Radio One play, 6music and BBC Introducing support, and some gorgeous reviews.
What does this song personally mean to you?
Sunflower Thieves: We both immediately loved the song as soon as we heard Tom’s demo. I don’t think we’d have taken a song written solely by anyone else. We usually have to feel involved in and connected to the writing of the song, but with this one it was different. We’ve also started performing with Tom, and another close friend Sam, as part of our live band, and I Don’t Know Why feels special onstage too.
Each of the songs on this EP represents the direction in which we’re moving as a project, and we’re so excited for everyone to hear them.
If listeners could take anything away from this single, what would you like it to be?
Sunflower Thieves: That it’s okay – and actually good for you – to just sit in a feeling and feel it. Relationships can be complicated, especially with those you love the most. This mood runs through the whole EP, playing out in different ways according to different relationships. The song feels like a sort of calm in knowing that.
“I Don’t Know Why” is the first single from your upcoming debut EP ‘Someone To Be There For’. What are some of the things we can expect from the EP itself?
Sunflower Thieves: ‘Someone To Be There For’ is the product of our deepened exploration of collaboration, and a raw collection of thought and emotions, from within a time where we both felt a lot, deeply and all at once. We both have experienced an overwhelming amount of change in our lives over the last few years, and this was a recurring theme throughout the writing sessions that birthed these songs. The EP intimately reflects lost love, self-discovery and growth, and the ever-changing significance of our relationships both with ourselves and those around us.
Finally, is there a message that you would like to share with the readers of Fierce & Fabulous Revolution?
Sunflower Thieves: We haven’t actually announced this anywhere yet, but our next single is out on February 23rd! So join us on socials.
You can check out the official video for “I Don’t Know Why” below or via Spotify/Apple Music here.
Sunflower Thieves: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram.
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