New Music: Sungaze – Storm Chaser

Ivory Snow and Ian Hilvert are Sungaze, a dreamgaze band based in Cincinnati, Ohio. While the main influences on new track Storm Chaser come from shoegaze, Snow and Hilvert add some pleasingly dark tones to that pastel-dappled genre.

On Stormer Chaser, the Sungaze duo bring contradictory ideas together to create a cohesive, charming sound. Dreamgaze remains the core of the sunny tones of the track. However, psychedelia and country make a substantial and effective contribution, as if Pink Floyd and Gram Parsons had dropped by for a jamming session. A placid surface hides some deep currents with the emotions of the lyrics unhindered by the warmth of the arrangement and giving Storm Chaser slightly unsettling hints of uncertainty.

Talking about Storm Chaser, the duo explains, “The song was written during quarantine and chronicles the process of becoming aware of the things we do to hold ourselves back in life–self-sabotaging patterns, escapism, etc. – and letting go of them to embrace the inner storm and find peace within.”

Storm Chaser can be streamed on Apple Music or Spotify and downloaded on Bandcamp. Head over to Sungaze’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for details on how to listen to the song, which will feature on the upcoming This Dream LP. The album is out on the 13^th of August and is currently up for pre-order in digital and vinyl formats.