Last Updated on 2026-02-15 by a-indie
On February 5, 2016, Brooklyn, New York-based trio Sunflower Bean released their debut album 『Human Ceremony』.
Ten years since that debut album, Sunflower Bean has experienced many changes.
Nick (Nick Kivlen) relocated to Los Angeles, Olive (formerly Jacob Faber) came out as transgender, and Julia (Julia Cumming) began writing songs on her own.
Despite their significant success and changes, their passion for music has remained unwavering after 10 years.
We would like to reflect on that starting point, the memorable album 『Human Ceremony』 that presented the band’s core, including statements from our past interviews with them.
About 『Human Ceremony』
This work is an 11-track album recorded in just 11 days by the three members: Julia Cumming (Vo., Ba.), Nick Kivlen (Vo., Gt.), and Jacob Faber (Dr.).
The sound, where dreamy psychedelia intersects with fuzz-laden bliss, evokes their roots in The Smiths, The Cure, and Black Sabbath, while bringing fresh air to the mid-2010s indie rock scene.
Sunflower Bean’s 10 Years
[Interview] Inside Human Ceremony with Brooklyn’s Sunflower Bean
Sunflower Bean began in Brooklyn’s DIY scene. Nick and Jacob had been jamming together since high school, playing for hours in Jacob’s parents’ basement.
Julia joined them in 2013. She had previously been active in a band called Supercute!, and when that band disbanded, she joined Sunflower Bean.
From the beginning, they performed live energetically, playing nearly 100 shows in 2014.
In January 2015, they self-released their debut EP 『Show Me Your Seven Secrets』, and subsequently signed with Fat Possum Records.
That summer, they holed up in Jacob’s basement, immersing themselves in songwriting, and shaped those results together with Matt Molnar, formerly of Friends.
The Music of 『Human Ceremony』
The greatest characteristic of 『Human Ceremony』 lies in the fusion of contrasting elements.
This philosophy is reflected throughout the album. On the lead track 「Easier Said」, Julia’s delicate vocals glide over clean-toned guitar, eventually drawing vivid spirals.
Meanwhile, 「Wall Watcher」 is a defiant, punk-heavy song where the contrast between upbeat choruses and stripped-down sections stands out.
The style of Julia and Nick singing together is also an important part of the band’s identity.
Rather than twin vocals, they create new combinations by dueting and singing together.
Additionally, in sound creation, they were particular about the details.
According to Jacob, “Before we went into the studio, we wrote songs, played them, and listened to them a lot until we felt the album songs were truly what they should be. We were especially particular about harmonies and guitar sounds.”
About Japan Tour and Live Performances
After the release of 『Human Ceremony』, Sunflower Bean embarked on a worldwide tour, making their first visit to Japan at Summer Sonic in August 2016, and served as tour support for Pixies and Wolf Alice in 2017.
Their second album 『Twentytwo in Blue』 in 2018 showcased a more polished pop sound, and they performed solo shows in Japan that same year.
Their 2022 『Headful of Sugar』 presented refined production after the pandemic isolation period, and their 2025 『Mortal Primetime』 focused on themes of life’s fragility and preciousness.
However, what lies at their core has not changed. Olive’s (Jacob’s) words in the latest interview, “just keep going,” truly symbolize their 10 years.
The Meaning of the Title 『Human Ceremony』
“Anything and everything is a human ceremony. Drinking coffee, taking your dog for a walk, eating…these are all human ceremonies.”
This simple way of thinking is also a theme that runs through the entire album.
The interesting aspect of this perspective shows that they were thinking deeply about human existence at a young age.
And now, 10 years later, they say they are “singing about the fragility and preciousness of life and love” in 『Mortal Primetime』. 『Human Ceremony』 was the beginning of that.
10 Years After the Release of 『Human Ceremony』
In the latest interview, Olive spoke about burnout from continuing the band for 10 years and the self-questioning of “What are we doing? Why are we doing this?”
“When the answer is there’s still more music to be made, then you keep going.”
“The best time to go out and live your truth is now.”
These are words Nick spoke about in 『Mortal Primetime』, but the same spirit dwells in 『Human Ceremony』.
They continue music as a human ceremony even now, 10 years later.
Sunflower Bean Album Releases
1st Album 『Human Ceremony』
Release Date: February 5, 2016
1. Human Ceremony (4:05)
2. Come On (2:59)
3. 2013 (3:31)
4. Easier Said (3:28)
5. This Kind of Feeling (2:28)
6. I Was Home (4:15)
7. Creation Myth (4:56)
8. Wall Watcher (2:27)
9. I Want You To Give Me Enough Time (3:31)
10. Oh, I Just Don’t Know (1:56)
11. Space Exploration Disaster (4:33)
View on Amazon
4th Album 『Mortal Primetime』
Release Date: April 25, 2025
Tracklist:
1. Champagne Taste
2. Nothing Romantic
3. Waiting For The Rain
4. Look What You’ve Done To Me
5. I Knew Love
6. Take Out Your Insides
7. There’s A Part I Can’t Get Back
8. Please Rewind
9. Shooting Star
10. Sunshine
View on Amazon
Writer: Tomohiro Yabe (yabori)
Editor-in-Chief of BELONG Media and A-indie. Has been writing the music blog “Timeless Masterpieces,” which became the predecessor of BELONG, since 2010.
After writing for “only in dreams,” hosted by Masafumi Gotoh, vocalist of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, studied Music Business at a music vocational school.
Has been writing articles about Japanese and international music for over 10 years.
Previously worked at a music CD rental shop with over 100,000 album titles, in charge of garage rock, psychedelic rock, and Japanese indie rock.
Utilizing these experiences, published 26 issues of the music magazine “BELONG Magazine” themed around “roots rock.”
Currently writes articles based on SEO strategies learned at a web production company. Hobby is watching “Kaiun! Nandemo Kantei-dan” (a Japanese antiques appraisal TV show).
Articles written so far are here
Twitter: @boriboriyabori
- is a music media platform run by BELONG, a Japanese music organization. We publish music articles with a focus on indie music.