SUNNY FLOWERS are pounding energy.

Growling bass + distortion influenced by glitchcore // alt hip hop that will hit you in your very core. W/ live percussion for this show, SUNNY FLOWERS will help you release your inner demons.

ALT’s own JESS WILLOUGHBY chatted to Maya (aka SUNNY FLOWERS) before the support DELI GIRLS [NYC] this Thursday…

SUNNY FLOWERS started in a time of upheaval… 2020. How do you think this impacted the trajectory of the project?

I was lucky enough to publish my first EP and play my first few gigs before everything shut down. So I’m really grateful for that, but I definitely had a lot of time alone to think about where I wanted to go with my sound.

You’ve built your lyrical style around real-life experiences with often tragic endings. Was this a natural progression for you, or does it take a ‘part of you’ every time you play live?

I think the way I write lyrics is just the way I feel I can connect to people and the most common thread is pain and love. I enjoy writing sad songs with silver linings and vice versa because that’s life. Nothing is ever truly good or bad; there’s always a mix and that’s what speaks to me.

What has become your favourite song to play live and why?

My favourite song to play currently is unreleased! But I will tell you it’s called Lightspeed and it was incredibly fun to make and even more fun to play live. It’s super high energy and loud and I get to go crazy in the choruses [laughs].

You’re bringing live percussion for your DELI GIRLS appearance. How’d that come about and who are you working with?

My drummer Alex and I met back in 2018 because we both worked in this Italian restaurant together. We started talking about music and eventually co-produced Cancer for my first EP. When I got offered my first gig, I asked if he was down to play drums and he was. We’ve been playing live together pretty much ever since.

Fear Less is your latest single. Can you delve into the background behind this track?

I got a message from someone I knew in primary school who bullied me, and initially, he seemed to be apologising. Then he started trying to flirt with me. I just thought it was hilarious how the power dynamic had shifted, so it was a bit of a bad bitch moment that sparked it. I guess it’s really about being different and learning to own it so you’re untouchable.

Will we be hearing any new material at the DELI GIRLS show? If so, does that mean there’s a new album on the horizon soon?

Yes, I will be playing a bunch of unreleased stuff because I just can’t hold it in! I’m currently in the final stages of a new five-track EP that will really capture what Sunny Flowers is now (estimated for release around September). I’m so excited to share what I’ve been working on because my sound has gone through an evolution over the last few years and I have a much clearer image now of what I want Sunny Flowers to be.

What would be your ideal contemporary Australian gig (in an ideal world) and why?

I’m a massive fan of Smith Street, so definitely get them on the line-up. As well as Flume, Amyl and The Sniffers, and Genesis Owusu. I only know Perth venues, so whack ‘em in Red Hill Auditorium with some crazy lights and lasers and that sounds like a good time to me.

Catch SUNNY FLOWERS live this Thursday, June 15 at The Bird supporting DELI GIRLS [NYC]. Grab your tickets now here.