Sunrust Music Review
Sunrust Music Review
It’s been a while since I’ve done a music review because my editor and I have been stuck tending to the business side of LTATM. When I told Denise, my magical word master, that I was out seeing bands, she knew we were finally going to have some fun. She loves proofreading my reviews and getting to know the bands, too.
[Editor’s note: I’m not sure about that “magical word master” business,
but Shels definitely finds the best PNW musicians! Enjoy! – Denise]
Crack the Code:
May 24, 2025, was a special night for Sunrust, an amazing gothic band hailing from Tacoma. On the same day of a gorgeously-staged live show, they dropped a NEW music video release called “Crack the Code” (Vanity Records). The sensitive, honest song lyrics explore recovery from abuse and portray the struggle of letting go and moving on towards a life beyond the trauma. The video cinematography is very well done and serves as an excellent backdrop for the lyrics.
Russ shared his insights on “Crack the Code” with me:
[I]t’s the story of being raised by a single parent who made some bad decisions that affected her children, and what those effects have on one’s life down the road long-term; (your) reflection when you look back at your life after your parents or grandparents or relatives have left us. You see some of the things that were passed down to you as a product of your environment that might not be as positive as they should’ve been, and (you) really wanted to break the cycle.
Sunrust - Crack the Code
Sunrust - La luna
Sunrust (left to right)
Russ Mazion, Sunny Loudin John Paul Michael, Brian Templeton
“Crack the Code” is the third single release from this incredibly talented PNW band—but maybe this is your first introduction to Sunrust? They are an alluring combination of talented musicians, gifted songwriters, and haunting, emotive harmony with a beautiful goth vibe. The two creators behind the group are Sunny Loudin (guitar and vocals) and Russ Mazion (also guitar and vocals).
Sunny and Russ are both experienced performers who have graced the stage across the United States and Europe. Rounding out the group are Brian Templeton (bass) and John Paul Michael (drums), both of whom also contribute backup vocals. The individual members complement each other perfectly, and the combination of talent resulted in a magical evening of live performance. It was truly a wonderful “back in the review saddle” night!
“Crack the Code” is only the latest of three excellent singles released by Sunrust. Their debut single, “La Luna,” came out in early 2023. It was originally planned as an evocative instrumental song, but the addition of vocals took the piece to an entirely new level. The music video for “La Luna” won Best Video at the 2024 Washington State Independent Music Awards. Sunrust continued their successful collaboration with the release of “Nightbird” on November 30, 2023, another gorgeously atmospheric and emotionally-layered production. This song, too, has a beautiful music video which accompanies and enhances the lyrics.
Shels selfie as Sunrust is performing.
Now that you’ve been introduced to some of Sunrust’s original music, allow me to rave about the energy at Saturday night’s performance. This was a special event for me because it was the first time I’ve been able to see this group play live. I became friends with Sunny through Maghenne Storey, and we all celebrated Spotlight Creative Women on March 23, 2025. I’ve watched Sunny perform before, but this time I got to jam to the entire band playing together. The stage setup looked like a magical gothic theater, complete with candelabras and burning candles for some exquisite mood lighting. It truly “set the stage” for the aura Sunrust creates when they perform.
The set list follows:
Paper to Ashes
Destiny
With or Without You (U2 cover)
Never Touch the Stars
Boys of Summer (Don Henley cover)
Blu
Crack the Code
Nightbird
Different Shade of Blue
Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash cover)
Underground
Nevermore
Sunrust’s performance blew me away. Sunny’s sultry voice harmonizes with Russ’s vocals in layers upon layers of depth; you feel how much they care for one another by how smoothly their voices blend. John Paul, their drummer, echos them with his voice as though he is shielding them as they sing, with Brian playing bass and keeping the rhythm as they performed the above twelve songs at the New Frontier Lounge in Tacoma.
Sunrust’s show was completely enchanting and uplifting, and I cannot wait to see them again. So if you get the chance to make a live performance, take it, and see if you feel the same magic.
(As an aside, the New Frontier Lounge is a very special place for both Sunny and Russ: it’s not only where they met but where part of the “Crack the Code” music video was filmed.)
Blessed be, my lovelies.
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Sunrust at The New Frontier Lounge
