Keep Moving by SUNDOWN

Formed in the twilight of 2020, Indianapolis quartet Sundown play anthemic hardcore packed with scream-along choruses and contagious hooks. A year later, they were packing clubs with their striking approach to melodic punk, emo, and post-hardcore. Now their head-turning debut LP "Keep Moving" will kick the doors off 2022 with a late February release from Wise Blood Records.

“I have a hard time describing our music,” admits bassist/vocalist Carter Seaton. “The original inspirations were bands like Hot Water Music, Jawbreaker and Avail. But I don’t think it necessarily turned out like that, because we all love hardcore. I think there are elements of everything from Bane and Sunny Day Real Estate to Quicksand and The Pixies.”

Sundown is an anomaly on a record label largely focused on extreme metal. But their aggressive four-headed vocal attack and gritty riffs will convert fans from the entire spectrum of punk and heavy music.

“I don't think people really prescribe to a single genre anymore,” offers vocalist/guitarist Mike Allen, “and if you only like metal at this point, I honestly don't think you'll dig this record. And that's totally fine. We're not catering to that person anyway. We're catering to ourselves. We've got some good riffs, but we're not trying to be the heaviest band or the fastest or whatever. We're just trying to write good songs.”

Armed with a wealth of lean ‘n’ mean hardcore anthems, Sundown worked with local Indianapolis upstarts 1857 Studios to capture the aggression and authenticity of their live performances.

"Keep Moving" was then mastered by Alan Douches of West West Side Music, who has mastered numerous records by heavyweights like Converge, High on Fire, and Cannibal Corpse.

“Alan Douches is a mastering engineer GOD that has been on my radar for quite some time now,” comments drummer/vocalist Brett Sibley. “He’s mastered damn near every heavy record that matters. Those records just sound so big! I didn’t expect someone of his caliber to even care about working with some dumb band from Indianapolis he’s never heard of, but I guess dreams do come true.”

Every contagious chorus on "Keep Moving" sounds massive. These anthems punch their way into your skull until the melodies live there for good. Every riff and roar surges with conviction. While describing the world as a source of pain and depression, Sundown also promotes practical positivity and a fighting spirit. The members originally convened in a basement practice space without lofty pursuits, just hoping to battle burn-out and malaise. But this band is much larger than an occasional weekend hobby.

“I've been trying to start a band like Sundown for almost fifteen years,” shares vocalist/guitarist Bake Henry. “I love [the other members] like my own blood and I've wanted to share a musical bond like this with folks I can trust since I can remember. And I trust all these boys. I want people that listen to us or see us live to feel the work and the love we've put into our songs. ‘Cause all these songs sure mean the world to us.”

linktr.ee