The Third Eye

What’s that heavy psychedelic sound blasting out of Peoria, Illinois? It must be the new single “REM” from Nova Sunshine, a heavy psych quartet gearing up to release their second EP later this year.  Bring the Illinoise!

“REM” dropped on March 15th, and the new song showcases the band’s explosive new sound as they build off their bluesier, classic rock-oriented debut 2021 EP and set their sights on breaking out in the heavy psych underground.

Listen to “REM” below:

Nova Sunshine formed in late 2019, taking their name from a line in a King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard song. The band also explains that the term “supernova” connotes an explosion, and that’s how he’d describe the group’s live sound.

Dylan Schumacher (vocals, guitar, synth) and Kyle Wass (guitar, synth) formed the band in 2019 after playing a one-off show in Peoria. Dylan and Kyle had been best buds since meeting at community college in 2016. Kyle had known Luke McCoy (bass) since grade school, making him a natural fit for the group. The three initially practiced with a drum machine before securing Matt Filarski on drums and percussion. Matt was a drummer in a local jazz group, and after sitting in with the group for a session, they knew they had their guy.

Nova Sunshine draws influences from classic rock legends, including Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, The Doors, and Hawkwind. They combine their love of classic garage and psych rock of the late Sixties and early Seventies with a love of modern neo-psych masters like Ty Segall, The Murlocs, and early Tame Impala. Their debut EP ended with the heaviest track, “Doomsday,” and they’ve extended the heaviness into the new single, “REM.”

Thematically, Nova Sunshine’s forthcoming EP deals with heady topics like the subconscious mind, dreams, and outer space. Specifically, it explores how the subconscious relates to the cosmos, perhaps a nod to Carl Jung’s collective unconscious theory.

Notably, the band raises questions instead of making statements. The questions they ponder are the types with no answers but often lead to journeys of self-discovery. It’s a refreshing stance in an era of comfortable certainties, dangerous populism, fundamentalism, and fanatical idolatry.

Musically, “REM” is a high-energy song with heavy instrumentals but dreamy soundscapes. You can hear Nova Sunshine’s influences in the single, but they have unmistakably developed a unique sound that separates them from their musical heroes, especially KGLW.

Nova Sunshine has already established itself in the local scene of Peoria, Illinois’ tight-knit music community. They have ties to jam bands, hardcore, and metal acts, and the college scene centered around Bradley University. As Kyle says, they’re in the middle of all this and have a sound that’s unlike most local bands. After releasing their new EP later this year, they’ll head back to recording and get another release out in 2024. Then, Nova Sunshine aims to branch out of Peoria and play shows in Chicago and St. Louis.

If you like “REM,” check out Nova Sunshine’s debut 2021 EP. Their second EP is scheduled for release in late spring or early summer 2024, so stay tuned. Enjoy!

Check out “REM” by Nova Sunshine on Spotify here.

Support Nova Sunshine by finding them on Bandcamp or social media (Instagram, Facebook). See all of the bands’ links here.

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