SUUNS on Shifting Their Gears and Hitting The Breaks
Photo Credit: Alexander Ortiz
Montreal avant-rock band SUUNS, shift their gears on their most recent release, The Breaks. Since the band’s formation in 2007, SUUNS has carved out a distinctive space in Montreal’s music scene by blending genres and creating their signature atmospheric and intense sound. Exploring themes of travel, The Breaks pushes their sound into something new.
With their headling show at Calgary Folk Fest’s Block Heater lineup around the corner, we had a chance to catch up with the band about their release.
REVERIE: Hey Suuns! Thank you so much for chatting with me. You’ve been in the music scene since 2007, but for those who are unfamiliar with Suuns, how would you describe yourselves musically?
SUUNS: I usually just say ‘rock band’. But it’s pretty minimal, some experimentation, weird synths. The band keeps evolving - we used to be dark and sexy, now, I’m not so sure. Less dark, more sexy?
R: I’m curious to know what influenced the name ‘Suuns’ for the band?
S: Originally, way back in the day when we started out we were called Zeroes, but there were already a bunch of bands named that. When we got our first break we sort of had to change the name to avoid legal complications. SUUNS just means Zeroes in Thai.
R: With the band being rooted in Montreal, one of Canada’s most diverse music scenes, how has Montreal impacted the way Suuns is?
S: We wouldn't be here if it weren't for the Montreal music scene. We met through the various incarnations of other bands, school, and hanging out at shows. The usual stuff. When we were coming up, there was a huge wave of Montreal talent and a lot of focus on the scene here. Because there are so many venues, and motivated musicians, there were lots of opportunities to play. So we were a janky band for about 3 years playing randomly around town until we finally got it together to record an album. The indie spirit and DIY, low rent, easy access to shows…made it possible for us to exist and to thrive.
R: You recently released an album called The Breaks. Congratulations! Can you tell me more about the development of this album? What are some themes or topics that inspired the release? What do you want listeners to take away from The Breaks?
S: Thank you. The main themes are about travel, driving, moving somewhere, going somewhere. The lyrics are all underpinned by this theme, and there are a lot of hidden, and not hidden samples of cars and engines, etc..
It’s been a long road to get to the record (no pun intended). With each passing album we try to approach the music a little differently. The band sounds very different than when we started out, and that's probably the part I'm the most happy about. The development of the craft. This record is a bit more in the spirit of our last release in that it's more sweeping. Some long tunes with long breakdowns and outro’s. Originally the record was more of a concept album that was way way too long. We cut it down to a more conventional format, but we were trying to see how far we could push the ends of songs. How to transition between ideas, and generally find a balance with the compositions. It's lyrically the most in-your-face of all our records, which is another development of SUUNS.
R: What was a hardship you faced during the creation of The Breaks? How did you overcome this challenge?
S: Life shit. Being apart from each other for long periods and keeping the momentum up. Keeping the energy loose and trying to be real. Not having too many expectations. It's the same all the time. Be honest, be open to ideas and listen to each other. It's all very simple, but hard to do sometimes
R: The Breaks shows a shift in your usual sonic palette. It’s strikingly different from your previous releases— what inspired the creative push to lean Suuns more towards the dream-pop genre?
S: We don’t really have a plan - never did. The songs have slowed down a lot in the last few years. Maybe it’s just where we are at. And the vocals have come to the fore, making the music, I think, more accessible. Maybe just more conventional…I don’t know.
R: If you were to play an NPR Tiny Desk, which songs from your discography would you play?
S: That's a tough one. A new one for sure. Maybe Fish on a String? Maybe an old one - Brainwash?
R: Thank you so much for doing this interview with me. With a Europe tour on the horizon and playing Hipnosis Festival in Mexico in November, what’s next in store for Suuns?
S: We got west coast USA just announced, and we got some new shit in the works too. What’s next? See where the road takes us.
SUUNS will be playing live in Calgary, Friday February 14, 2025 for Calgary Folk Festival’s Block Heater with Black Mountain and Sunglaciers. Find tickets here.