Psychedelic conscious rock debut release, with classic rock undertones.

9 MP3 Songs in this album (45:08) !
Related styles: ROCK: Rock & Roll, ROCK: Arena Rock

People who are interested in U2 Led Zeppelin Jefferson Airplane should consider this download.


Details:
Throughout the years, in spite of trends and fashion, 2 SUNS have created heartfelt and hopeful rock nâ roll that has struck a chord in people searching for hope and positivity instead of the cynicism and negativity of so much modern music. From the hard streets of New York City to the bucolic quiet of their current home in Sedona, Arizona, 2 SUNS have stayed true to their vision of what music can be, and on their new album, "Love Revolution", their message of love and peace is more timely than ever. In fact, it seems as though the times may have finally caught up with them.
2 SUNS founding members Gina Donello on vocals and Gary Bettum on guitar see 2 SUNS as a shapeshifting band. The music translates well from an unplugged acoustic duo to a large arena style rock band, including bass, drums, percussion and keyboards. Both native New Yorkers, Gina and Gary had been the quintessential New York music people. Gina had studied with world-renowned master coaches associated with the Metropolitan Opera and Lincoln Center and with additional study and training, she gained the ability to literally sing everything â Rock, Jazz, Opera, Cabaret, Classical Indian and more. More importantly, it gave her the confidence to effectively convey emotion no matter what the genre. Gary, who has been playing since the age of six, grew up playing in bands, but got his first big break when he worked at world famous Electric Lady studios in New York, where he got incredible engineering and production training, as well as working with some of musicâs greatest engineers, producers and musicians. He then earned a degree (on scholarship) in Jazz performance as well as completing the masters component in music technology at NYU.
It was in New York City that 2 SUNS had their first show in 1995. From the outset, the band was socially conscious and committed to uplifting people with their music. But they soon realized that they had to take their message elsewhere. As Gina explains, âOne day in the car, it took us over two hours to cross the Brooklyn Bridge. And then the car overheated. We looked at each other and realized that we couldnât do this anymore.â Sedona, Arizona became their new home, and immediately, the change in environment became an inspiration in and of itself. Gary says, âThe introspection and creativity that we needed has happened so much easier out here.â
After settling in, the two opened a music school in Sedona (Gina gives voice instruction and Gary teaches guitar - they would eventually have Michelle Branch as one of their students), an operation that Gina describes as âone of our greatest satisfactions.â She continues, âMusic is therapy and when they leave here, they leave lighter and less burdened.â Gina and Gary also continued writing and recording 2 SUNS music, and in 2002, their debut, self-title album was released.
Continuing to teach and play in their community, Gina and Gary began writing the next group of songs for 2 SUNS in 2004. To produce the album, they enlisted Lee Curreri, best known for his role in the film and TV series âFame.â Gina enthuses, âLee had liked our first album, and he invited us to L.A. The night we arrived, we went out for dinner, went back to the studio and by 5am we had a song arranged, produced and recorded!â Gary adds, âTwice a year we would go to L.A. and book about 5 days with him and we would record. In his arrangement and production, he took the songs to another level. It was a dream come true.â
That next level is apparent from the first notes of "Love Revolution". Gary and Gina call the album âan hour which celebrates life,â and the music hearkens back to the sense of possibility present in the 60âs and 70âs, but with a modern sound, thanks to Curreriâs production. Highlights include âLove Revolution,â a track written in 1999, but revamped on the album, whose anthemic feel sums up the bandâs intention both musically and spiritually. âBeyond The Veilâ expands the bandâs musical range into world music â in its shimmering and cinematic beauty, itâs one of those tracks that calls for being in a film or television show. And â13th Hourâ is another musical u-turn. Delving into pop/electronica, its reference to âsweet Rome fallingâ brings to mind the current perilous state of affairs in this country. As Gina states, âWe do have a darker side, but we choose to be positive. Yes, we see certain things falling, but itâs fine â our humanity is just coming into adulthood. And one thing is true â people are clamoring for change.â
2 SUNS appeal goes beyond genre and age. As theyâve begun playing the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, theyâve seen their appeal broaden beyond their wildest imagination: âWeâve found our audience to go from pre-teens to sixty-somethings,â Gary notes with a smile. âWe just want to keep getting ourselves out there. Thatâs how they find you.â With "Love Revolution", 2 SUNS have continued to put themselves out there. And now that hope is more than just a buzzword, the social consciousness of their music is ready for a new and expanded audience. But as Gina says, theyâve always kept their mission simple. âWe just keep the love we have for our art,â she concludes. âItâs the best way we can show up as artists, and as human beings in the world.â


Instrumentation : Duo to 6 Piece Band
Gina Donello - Lead vocals/Tanpura/Percussion
Gary Bettum - Guitars
Tina Reichow - Percussion
Other members as needed per venue
(Drums, Bass, Percussion and Keys)

Discography
"Love Revolution" released 2008.
"2 SUNS" debut release 2002.
âLove Revolutionâ currently streaming on college radio.