Sunflower Bean: Living Your Truth in “Mortal Primetime

Last Updated on 2026-02-15 by a-indie

Olive’s Coming Out

– Kaoruko Momoi: After releasing your previous album, Olive came out as transgender. Has Olive’s drumming style or self-expression through drum sounds changed since revealing your true self? Or do Julia and Nick also feel there has been a change in Olive’s sound? Is Olive House Records, which recorded 「Shooting Star」 on the album, Olive’s home studio?
Olive: Yes! We recorded Shooting Star at my home studio out on Long Island! And yea i think my playing has changed, I’ve learned to not worry, and be confident in that the drums are a language that i speak very fluently and don’t have to reach for anything. Playing the drums is just an extension of myself at this point.

– Kaoruko Momoi: Changing the subject slightly, we were very surprised that you liked our Instagram post. That post (linked below) was about collecting congratulatory messages from fans for ART-SCHOOL’s 25th anniversary. I don’t usually ask this kind of question, but I feel commonalities between Sunflower Bean and ART-SCHOOL. ART-SCHOOL said, “Artists are unnecessary in society, but when you think what you’re doing is the best and want to spread it to the world, you have no choice but to fight.” I think this idea applies to you too. Did Sunflower Bean fight anything when releasing this album? If so, please tell us about it.
Olive: I think we just fought the burnout of being a band for 10 years and asking ourselves what are we doing, why. When the answer is there’s still more music to be made, then you keep going. I have a number artistic elders in my life and the number one thing they say to me is to just keep going.
Nick: It’s a lot to get into but, yeah, there was a ton of struggles around this record. The funny part however is that once we were actually together and playing the music, it was the easiest recording experience. All the problems surrounding it didnt have to do with the music itself. We self produced it and recorded it in a studio in about 14 days. We did 15 full songs in 14 days.

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– Kaoruko Momoi: Looking back, how do you think each member living in separate environments influenced this work? Do you think the changes in each person’s life were essential for this album?
Olive: I think the fact that we have actual space from each other now is a good thing. It allows the work to breathe.
Nick: Moving to LA has changed my life for the better in so many ways it’s almost unfathomable. The moment I went out here it was like a kickstart to my creativity. Meeting so many new people and doing tons of writing with others has been an insanely growing experience and gave me a whole new love for music as a language to connect with.

Message from Sunflower Bean

– Kaoruko Momoi: What thoughts or messages are contained in the title “Mortal Primetime”? To whom do you want to deliver this album?
Olive: It’s now or never, you can’t waste time waiting for things to happen in your life, you gotta identify what you want and go do it.
Nick: Yes! Perseverance and irreverence, belief in yourself and the people around you. The best time to go out and live your truth is now.

– Kaoruko Momoi: Finally, there are many people who have listened to Sunflower Bean’s albums so far, those who are planning to listen to “Mortal Primetime,” and Japanese fans looking forward to your Japan tour. Do you have a message for them?
Olive: We love Japan and the rich history of rock music in Japanese culture. We had the best time playing Summer Sonic and a couple of club shows. We can’t wait to return with Mortal Primetime 🙂
Nick: Yes, we would love to come back to Japan. It’s always an amazing experience.

Sunflower Bean Album Release

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: Kaoruko Momoi

A true analog enthusiast who doesn’t use smartphones or SNS, and uses a feature phone.

Articles written so far are here