Sunshine Slackers didn’t just happen overnight—they’re the result of over a decade of chemistry between Jack (guitar/vocals), Deirdre (drums), and Chris (bass). After playing together in five different projects across ten years, the trio decided to strip away overthinking and focus on raw instinct. Jack brought four new songs to the table, and with just one three-hour practice, the band hit the studio.
Recording took place in a uniquely gothic studio tucked away in a Philadelphia industrial building’s basement. Over eight hours, the band laid down the tracks with almost no edits: no drum comps, just one bass comp, and a couple of guitar layers per track. They embraced the imperfections, opting for a live, unpolished feel. Jack even recorded vocals after a feast of Chinese takeout and some throat spray called "Atomic Throat," which seemed fitting for their raw energy.
The resulting songs are angry and lonely, capturing the messiness of emotions without over-polishing them. Sunshine Slackers focus on instincts and collaboration rather than endlessly perfecting tracks. The EP's cover—a photo of a rundown theater—visually matches the vibe of their music: gritty, immediate, and real.
When asked about their songwriting process, Jack credits melodies as the foundation of a good song. For him, words only matter if the melody draws people in first. He points to artists like Chris Cornell and Kurt Cobain as inspirations, praising their ability to mix sophisticated melodies with raw emotion. Jack also highlights newer artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Beabadoobee, whose innovative approaches motivate him to pick up his guitar and write.
The band’s lyrical content stems from personal themes. The tracks on their upcoming EP explore loneliness and anger but also a longing for comfort in the chaos. Jack reveals that some songs, like “Doormat” and “Serene,” were written years ago, while others, like “Sewer” and “Crevasse,” are newer creations that naturally fit into the EP’s cohesive, unfiltered vibe.
For Sunshine Slackers, it’s all about letting instinct guide the process. “Write the songs, play them with your friends, find good people who will help you get them recorded and released,” Jack says. “Then, move on to the next thing.”