Local Artist Spotlight: Sundae Crush

Every week, KEXP features a new local artist with an interview and suggested tracks for where to start. This week, we are featuring artists performing during FolkLife, this Memorial Day weekend at the Seattle Center.

Sundae Crush sound exactly like what their name implies: the feelings of eating ice cream sundaes and the unrequited love of having a crush. That's not an easy balance to strike, at least not with the level of tenderness and affection that Sundae Crush infuses into their music. The Seattle via Denton, Texas dream-pop act weave chat room laments with irl sadness, resulting in a vibrant sound that's just as easy to dance to as it is to wallow in your own feelings. We caught up with the band to talk about how the merge these ideas, the penchant for bright colors, and their first ever AOL Instant Messenger screen names.You’re originally from Denton, Texas. What brought you out to Seattle?

We had a lot of friends moving up here after finishing college - for work, relationships, the music scene. The south is tough to be in sometimes with sexism and racism still very present, even at shows. It feels like there’s much more space here. We love the enthusiasm towards music and natural beauty of this city.

Whenever I read about or hear about your music, it’s always brought up how vibrant and colorful it feels. What draws you to such jubilant sounds in your music and aesthetic?

Maybe it has something to do with how 1/2 of our band are designers. Maybe cause we're friends. Maybe we're having fun.

Beneath the shimmer and humor, there’s a lot of longing and heartbreak on the new record as well. Do you find it’s easier to cope with these types of feelings through bright colors and snark?

Definitely. I go through darker feelings, but when it comes to dealing with it, bright colors and snark are fun ways to grieve. It's not really humor to me, these are all personal songs, but I think the situation itself can be so ridiculously terrible that it can be funny. (Finding terrible things written about you in chatrooms, toxic masculinity, dating people who aren't true to you, seeing someone for there internet persona).

You recently played a double-release show with fellow local act Baywitch, who also directed your “Dating Game 3000” music video. How did you get connected with Lila? Have you found the Seattle arts and music community easy to integrate into?

We played a show together that I (Jena) set up with a booker via Tinder. So technically, we met through Tinder. When we played together, we just hit it off. I think it was hard starting out because we were all new to the city, but was easier after we actually started to know people and make friends.

Your latest EP, Crushed, opens with a track called “Chat Room Messages” and it even samples the AOL Instant Messenger sound effects. Care to share your first AIM screennames?

Jena: cutespygirl007Izzi: lilbittyhellokittyJesse: DangcuddyAlex: tumiipiaci/Emoextremo1

For newcomers to your band, what can people expect from your set at FolkLife?

Sounds like your friend is holding your hand about to buy you ice cream after a weird day. Matching jumpsuits.

Be sure to catch Sundae Crush, performing in the KEXP Gathering Space at FolkLife on May 28th at 1PM.