Sunny War

Last updated
Sunny War
Sunny War.jpg
Sunny War in 2025
Background information
Birth nameSydney Ward
Born Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres Rock, folk, Americana
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, producer
InstrumentGuitar
Years active2014-present
Website sunnywar.com

Sunny War is an American singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. Her sound is frequently categorized as folk-punk, [1] while her songwriting is often described as introspective. Her songs blend rock, gospel, and country music. [2] She began her music career in 2014 with the release of her extended play Worthless, but garnered mainstream attention and critical praise after the release of her 2020s albums. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life

War was born in 1990. At age 7, her mother bought her a guitar, and she took classes on the piano and the harmonica. [5] When she was in middle school, she moved from Tennessee to California. She taught herself to play the guitar from watching and mimicking how her friend's father played the banjo, which resulted in her distinctive finger picking style. [1] [6]

Career

Career beginnings

In her early twenties, War quit her job in a mall to pursue music full time. [5] [7] Her first EP as a solo artist was Worthless. She sold Worthless CDs on the Venice, California boardwalk.[ citation needed ]

Mainstream success

Her 2021 album, Simple Syrup, saw her receive broader mainstream recognition. [8] Her follow-up, Anarchist Gospel, was lauded by critics, with Jonathan Bernstein of Rolling Stone calling it a "powerful statement" and Pitchfork's Stephen Erlewine calling the record "emotionally resonant and curiously hopeful." [9] [3] 2025's Armageddon in a Summer Dress was also critically acclaimed. [10]

Discography

EPs

Studio albums

References

  1. 1 2 Treynor, Olivia (2023-08-14). "Sunny War is Americana's brightest star and biggest skeptic". Document Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  2. ↑ Gabino, Santi (2024-10-29). "From the Copacabana to Sunny War's unique sound and Journey's hits". The West Volusia Beacon. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  3. 1 2 Bernstein, Jonathan (2023-02-01). "Sunny War Is One of the Best New Voices in Roots Music". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  4. ↑ Hiltner, Justin (2023-02-15). "The 'Anarchist Gospel,' According to Sunny War". The Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  5. 1 2 sidreddy (2021-07-06). "Meet Sunny War: Singer Songwriter". SHOUTOUT LA. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  6. ↑ "Sunny War: A Different Kind of Blues". Acoustic Guitar. 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  7. ↑ Hiltner, Justin (2025-01-22). "LISTEN: The Devil Makes Three, "Ghosts Are Weak"". The Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  8. ↑ Turner, Rianna. "Sunny War Saves The World with Album 'Simple Syrup'". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  9. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sunny War: Anarchist Gospel". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-01-22.
  10. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (March 7, 2025). "'I ate acid for two months straight. It was the best time of my life': Americana anarcho-punk Sunny War on booze, drugs and the KKK" – via The Guardian.
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