Today Philadelphia-based band Sun Within is excited to release their new single “Synthesis + Realization” on Exotic Fever Records. Recorded by Ted Young and mixed by BJ Howze at Red Planet Studios, the track debuted debuted at Punk News and is on all digital platforms for playlist shares.
Stream: “Synthesis + Realization” on All Digital Platforms
To celebrate the release the band will playing a hometown show on September 29 at First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia alongside Policy of 3, Sleepytime Trio and Frail (tickets).
“Synthesis + Realization” is rooted in the band’s lived experiences. Each member of Sun Within has endured trauma from violence and turned to therapy, including EMDR and other forms of mental health care for healing. The track channels those journeys, capturing both the weight of revisiting painful memories and the resilience required to move through them.
Reflecting on this process, the band shares:
“Each of us has experienced trauma as a result of violence and sought respite from it through EMDR and other therapeutic forms of mental healthcare. And while these tools can lessen the impact of horrific experiences, they also add to the unfair burden of victims, who must relive their pain while perpetrators move on unscathed.”
To help assist others in the industry, Sun Within is donating all Bandcamp proceeds from “Synthesis + Realization” to Backline, a nonprofit that connects musicians with mental health resources.
“The power of music ceases to exist without musicians,” the band shares. “Access to affordable mental health care is both important and uneven. We decided to donate the Bandcamp proceeds of ‘Synthesis + Realization’ to Backline. And while one song may feel like a drop in the bucket, if each of us gave—even what feels like an embarrassingly small amount—imagine how many lives could be changed, or even saved. Any action is better than no action.”
Formed in 2024, Sun Within features Geeta Dalal Simons (guitar, vocals), Leah Basarab (bass, vocals), and Katy Otto (drums). Katy came to Philly from D.C., where she founded the label Exotic Fever Records in 2000. Having played in many bands including Trophy Wife, Del Cielo, Callowhill and Bald Rapunzel, she recently drummed in Rainbow Crimes with Leah. Leah (Vidrozhena, Ex by V) is a bassist, cellist and vocalist and Geeta played guitar, sang and composed in bands ranging from Rockula to RunHideFight (and several between that don’t begin with the letter R).
Sonically, the trio pulls from influences ranging from 7 Year B*tch to Mclusky to Drive Like Jehu. Snarly, heavy, dirty, and grown, the band’s music features elements of post-hardcore, math rock and raw power pop. Like, if Pretty On the Inside hooked up with Suicide Invoice, this would be their irreverent teenage daughter.
The name Sun Within originates from a translation of the sacred Gayatri Mantra, which seeks that goddess’ divine power of protection from darkness while acknowledging that the light within each of us has the potential to elevate not only one’s own energy but that of their surrounding community as well.
Sun Within Shows:
September 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church (with Policy of 3, Sleepytime Trio and Frail)
November 8 – Philadelphia, PA @ Nikki Lopez (with Lapêche)
