Inside Human Ceremony with Brooklyn’s Sunflower Bean

Last Updated on 2026-02-14 by a-indie

A rock band from Brooklyn’s art scene that’s capturing attention not only in music but also in fashion: Sunflower Bean.

What exactly is the 『Human Ceremony』that Sunflower Bean performs?

And what kind of flower will bloom from the sunflower seeds planted while chanting the “abracadabra” spell?

This article is a republication in English of the piece originally published in BELONG Magazine on May 10, 2016.

Interview

Artists: Julia Cumming (Vo., Ba.), Nick Kivlen (Vo., Gt.), Jacob Faber (Dr.) Interviewer: Kaoruko Momoi Translation: Tomo Kinoshita

－The literal translation of Sunflower bean is “sunflower seed”. Why did you select this word as your band name, and please tell us how this name came about?
Nick: The name just popped into my head one day. It sounded magical in the same way abracadabra does. I just really liked the way it sounded and it stuck.

About the Members

－How did you guys meet? Can you tell us in detail your story behind you forming the band?
Nick: We all met in the Brooklyn DIY scene in 2013. Jacob and I were in another band at the time, Turnip King, together in high school. Turnip King played a show with Julia’s band at the time, Supercute!. We all stayed in touch and when Jacob and I started Sunflower Bean we were looking for a bass player. I asked Julia because I knew her band was ending and then she joined! It just all aligned.

－One of the characteristics of Sunflower Bean is the two of you (Julia and Nick) singing lead parts. For example, there are many other bands with two vocalists like John and Paul of the Beatles. However a band with your style of singing is unique. Why do you sing in this style?
Nick: For us, it’s part of our identity as a band to have us both singing. It’s fun to do duets and sing together and create new combinations with our different singing styles.

－The main vocalist, Julia, she has a transparent singing voice which gives us a sense of wonder. Is there a vocalist that you consider a role model, and in what way are you influenced by that artist in particular?
Julia: My favorite singer is probably Joni Mitchell. Her voice gives me chills. I always watch a video of her performing 「California」 for the BBC and it makes me want to cry. She is so expressive and I look up to her a lot.

－Every single song in this album has a sense of reverberation in each sound. The quality of the instrument sounds and vocals are very soothing. Do you have anything that you are particular about during your creating process?
Jacob: We spent a lot of time demo-ing the songs on the album to make sure they were exactly how we wanted them before going into the studio. We are definitely particular about harmonies and guitar tone.

－A lot of the songs recorded in the album are either medium tempo or slow numbers, but the previous single Wall Watcher, is very Punk. Please tell us in detail your approach to this song?
Jacob: Wall Watcher was a really cool aggressive live song that we made differently for the album. It’s cool to have the contrast between the chorus being so upbeat and the verse is more stripped down.

The Meaning of 『Human Ceremony』

－What meaning and feeling are put into this album title 『Human Ceremony』?
Jacob: Anything and everything is a human ceremony. Drinking coffee, taking your dog for a walk, eating…these are all human ceremonies.

－Besides the title, Human Ceremony, I’d like to know what other album title choices you had as an option, and why did you select this title?
Jacob: “Human Ceremony” the song is the opening track on the album and we felt that the track summed up the vibe of the album, so it seemed natural for it to also be the title!

Roots

－The impression I received, listening to this album was that you were influenced by The Smiths. Let us know which artists or albums you consider are your band roots, and how are you influenced by these artists and works in detail.
Jacob: We definitely love The Smiths…if you like rock music, there’s a good chance you like a lot of british bands! We also love The Cure, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Who…And contemporary artists like Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Connan Mockasin. There’s too many great bands to list! In general, we feel it’s a little boring for us to stay between the lines, and we want to explore and combine our inspirations to make something new.

－Other than the band, Julia, she is also an active model for SAINT LAURENT. Is there anything in common between how she expresses herself as a model and how she expresses herself when performing as a musician? In what way does she express her music and perform in the band using her experiences as a model?
Julia: Modeling is a performance, and playing a show is a performance. But playing the music that we all make together, performing our direct artwork and music, is always where my heart is. Modeling can also make great and inspiring art too. They are different fields.

－I know you want everyone listen to your new album. Is there a specific group of listeners you’d like to listen to your music?
Jacob: If we had to pick a specific group it would have to be teenagers and younger kids. Music was so important to all of us growing up and I think if you’re given music when you’re young or when you’re a teenager it can impact you throughout your life. We were also teenagers while making this record so I think a lot of teenagers might be able to relate to the record in a certain way.

－Please give a message to your fans, here in Japan.
Jacob: We cannot wait to come to Japan! We will see you sometime very soon!

Release

『Human Ceremony』

Tracklist:
01. Human Ceremony
02. Come On
03. 2013
04. Easier Said
05. This Kind Of Feeling
06. I Was Home
07. Creation Myth
08. Wall Watcher
09. I Want You To Give Me Enough Time
10. Oh, I Just Don’t Know
11. Space Exploration Disaster

Japan Tour

Summer Sonic 2016
August 20 (Sat), 21 (Sun), 2016
Tokyo Venue: QVC Marine Field & Makuhari Messe
Osaka Venue: Maishima Summer Sonic Osaka Special Venue

Profile

A three-piece rock band from Brooklyn, NY. Members are Jacob Faber (Dr.), Julia Cumming (Vo., Ba.), Nick Kivlen (Vo., Gt.).

In 2015, they released the self-released EP 『Show Me Your Seven Secrets』 and the single 「I Hear Voices, The Stalker」 on Fat Possum.

Front-woman Julia Cumming was selected as a model for SAINT LAURENT and made her runway debut,

attracting major attention not only from the music scene but also from the fashion world before the album release.

In November 2015, they quickly embarked on a UK tour with The Vaccines and Palma Violets.

In March 2016, they released their highly anticipated debut album 『Human Ceremony』 worldwide, and made their first visit to Japan at Summer Sonic in August of the same year.

At the end of 2017, they signed with Mom + Pop, and in April 2018, they released their new work 『Twentytwo in Blue』, their first in two years.