The Sea Gypsies Become Sunsoli

Darkinjung Country/Central Coast band The Sea Gypsies are ushering in a new creative chapter under a new name Sunsoli. If their latest single “Time and Place” is any indication, they’re going from strength to strength. This feel-good song is a deeply personal one from the band. Lead guitarist Dan Hoolihan wrote it, with the help of keyboardist Joseph Smith, to celebrate the way his past anxieties and mistakes seemed to fade away after the birth of his song.

“’Time and Place’ is one of the last songs we wrote on the album. It was actually one of Dan’s demos that we put to the side for years until we were looking for the right song to complete the album. Once Dan had refined the music and structure the rest of the song was basically written in a 40-minute drive to rehearsal one evening by Joe,” the band said. “Having a son recently felt like the missing piece of the puzzle for him. Any wrongdoings of the past, or anxieties he had, melted away since bringing that perfect little human into the world.”

There’s more new music where this came from, with Sunsoli promising to drop their self-titled album on September 13. To celebrate its release, Sunsoli will play shows all over the eastern states.

15 September 2023 – La La La’s, Woolyungah/Wollongong (with Brandon Duff & Georgia-Jean)
16 September 2023 – Live at the Polo, Ngambri/Canberra (with Kopasetic & Eden Plenty)
6 October 2023 – Barwon Club, Djilang/Geelong (with This Way North & Gabby Steel)
8 October 2023 – Northcote Social Club, Naarm/Melbourne (with This Way North & Anna Smyrk)
27 October 2023 – Sol Bar, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country/Maroochydore (with Flaskas & Sundaze)
29 October 2023 – Lefty’s, Meeanjin/Brisbane (with Flaskas & Tjaka)
11 November 2023 – The Lansdowne, Eora/Sydney (with The Toothpicks & Southwest Corduroy)
25 November 2023 – Drifters Wharf, Darkinjung Country/Gosford (with Tyrants & Tiali)
1 December 2023 – The Federal, Baligin/Bellingen

Image used with permission from beehive; credit: Jordan Cortti

Get Swept Up in the Romance of The Sea Gypsies’ Comeback Track, “Daydream”

The patience of the Sea Gypsies’ fans has been rewarded, with the Central Coast band releasing their first song after a two-year hiatus. It sounds like time away from the spotlight has done them good, because “Daydream” is definitely worth the wait.

“Daydream is a love song, without being an ‘in-your-face’ love song,” the band explained. “On the surface, the lyrics are indicative of our vocalist’s (Luke Marlin) relationship experiences, however, the music leaves the listener feeling as though this song is built upon layers of relational failures and triumphs.”

“We loved Daydream from the moment our vocalist (Luke Marlin) began penning the lyrics into his worn, black notebook,” they said. “The chorus is catchy and it’s not just the phrase: ‘Life is like a daydream. Honey, when you’re with me.’ Luke energised it with a singable melody that feels familiar, yet somehow, has a fresh, Sea Gypsies flavour to it.”

Honestly, it was those lyrics that suckered me in. They’re poetic without being sappy. Add in Luke’s emotive vocals and that laidback but funky AF groove and there’s a lot to like here. The song is complemented by a video featuring footage from one of the band’s hometown shows around The Entrance. It’s a timely reminder that before this pandemic hit, the Sea Gypsies were selling out shows along the East Coast. Hopefully it’s not too long before we see them doing that again!

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

The Sea Gypsies Release New Summer Anthem, “Mexico”

As a proud Coastie, I have a soft spot for great talent coming out of my local area. The Sea Gypsies are local stalwarts, but I’m always happy to hear more sweet tunes from this Central Coast indie rock outfit. “Mexico” is their latest effort, a stellar single that captures the hedonism of summer.

As you might expect, the song was inspired by frontman Luke Marlin’s adventures in South America. However, it was a trip that didn’t go quite as planned. In fact, he had to cut the holiday short after he was diagnosed with Dengue fever. In recovery on home soil, he wrote this song while reflecting on the wild trip that was.

The clip sees the lads in characteristic form, enjoying a laugh and refusing to take life too seriously.

“These guys are my friends; we go surfing together, rip on each other and order Dominos every band practice. We’re musicians, not actors, so we thought to ourselves, ‘Why not just have a laugh and shoot a video that we’d enjoy making?” said the band’s bassist, Jackson Burke.

“Mexico” is our first taste of new music from The Sea Gypsies in a while. Hear more of the new stuff and plenty of your favourites at the band’s upcoming shows.

25 January 2020 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
1 February 2020 – Yah Yah’s, Melbourne
7 February 2020 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
8 February 2020 – Love Lanes Festival, Central Coast
16 February 2020 – North Gong, Wollongong

Image used with permission from Beehive PR

The Sea Gypsies Unleash Their “Demons”

It’s Thursday and the weekend is almost in sight. That makes me feel a little more chilled out, so it’s the perfect time for listening to “Demons,” the awesome new single from Central Coast outfit The Sea Gypsies. It has such a great groove. The instruments come together perfectly to support lead singer Luke Marlin’s killer voice.

Lead guitarist Dan Hoolihann describes the track as “A snapshot of the band’s influences, mixed together to express the relatable feeling of facing the fears and rigorous moments in your life that attempt to overcome you and put you down. It conveys the feeling, idea and emotion of stepping up to face your Demons and the struggle of embracing the difficult issues that life throws at you”.

Once the weather warms up, The Sea Gypsies are heading your way. Catch them at the following shows this spring.

7 September 2017 – Magnums, Airlie Beach (with Katchafire)
8 September 2017 – Kirwin Tavern, Townsville (with Katchafire)
9 September 2017 – Billabong, Kuranda (with Katchafire)
10 September 2017 – The Jack, Cairns (with Katchafire)
22 September 2017 – The Penny Black, Melbourne
7 October 2017 – Max Watts, Brisbane (with Katchafire)
8 October 2017 – The Wharf Tavern, Sunshine Coast (with Katchafire)
21 October 2017 – Swagger Festival, Wandiligon

Image used with permission from Beehive PR