Sunshine Collective's "Up To Something Good" - Pop Meets Retro
Sunshine Collective, the pairing of L.A.-based singer/songwriter Stephanie Richards and composer/songwriter/producer Brian Arbuckle, is back with their second album of hip and quirky, pop-meets-retro music with an all-ages appeal, Up To Something Good.
With their songs regularly placed at all the major networks and studios, the husband-and-wife team of Stephanie Richards and Brian Arbuckle had already carved out an enviable niche on the national music scene when Sunshine Collective's debut album Wanna Play? was released in 2010. Although not created for all-ages listening, per se, Wanna Play? turned out to be a smash hit with kids and parents alike, with several songs in steady rotation on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live. Arbuckle and Richards heard repeatedly that kids were memorizing every word and requesting the album over and over in the car.
Sunshine Collective creates an intricate and sophisticated vocal/instrumental tapestry that defines each track as a true musical composition. Arbuckle and Richards don't pander to low expectations of children's listening abilities by simply laying "kiddie lyrics" on top of a basic 3-chord musical structure. Recognizing that children are responsive to music that has sonic complexity and lyric depth, the team purposefully delivers a break from typical kids' fare, keeping it fresh, cool, and "adult ear" friendly.
Up To Something Good has a roll-down-the-windows, flyin' free feel, but its summertime sweetness isn't sticky or syrupy; it's refreshing as cold fruit at a hot picnic. The album's powerful instrumental ensemble flexes its muscles while never intruding on Stephanie Richards' vocal tone and style or her crystal clear delivery of the lyrics. Her eminently ear-friendly voice serves up mod pop and jazz-tinged tunes just as deftly as pop-country, four-on-the-floor, head-for-the-sun numbers.
The title track is pure pop heaven: bold, brassy, and pulsating with life as Richards' powerhouse soprano soars over a complex orchestration in a manner reminiscent of '60s stars like Martha Reeves or Diana Ross. The album's non-hackneyed lyric landscape is best exemplified by the poetic poignancy of "Waiting To Say Hello Again," a gently country waltz that explores how childhood often copes with parting.
Before launching Sunshine Collective, Brian Arbuckle and Stephanie Richards had an R&R pop chart hit with Stephanie's debut single, "Get Use To It." Arbuckle's orchestral compositions can be heard on trailers for Benchwarmers, Catwoman, and Spider, among others, as well as network promos for shows like Cold Case, Big Bang Theory, and 60 Minutes. He has mixed music for Sprout, Disney, Disney XD, and Nickelodeon, and he is currently in music production for a new Simpsons promo campaign.
WHERE TO BUY: Up To Something Good will be available at iTunes September 18, 2015
Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was given info and streaming links at no charge from the PR Firm / Company. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.
With their songs regularly placed at all the major networks and studios, the husband-and-wife team of Stephanie Richards and Brian Arbuckle had already carved out an enviable niche on the national music scene when Sunshine Collective's debut album Wanna Play? was released in 2010. Although not created for all-ages listening, per se, Wanna Play? turned out to be a smash hit with kids and parents alike, with several songs in steady rotation on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live. Arbuckle and Richards heard repeatedly that kids were memorizing every word and requesting the album over and over in the car.
Sunshine Collective creates an intricate and sophisticated vocal/instrumental tapestry that defines each track as a true musical composition. Arbuckle and Richards don't pander to low expectations of children's listening abilities by simply laying "kiddie lyrics" on top of a basic 3-chord musical structure. Recognizing that children are responsive to music that has sonic complexity and lyric depth, the team purposefully delivers a break from typical kids' fare, keeping it fresh, cool, and "adult ear" friendly.
Up To Something Good has a roll-down-the-windows, flyin' free feel, but its summertime sweetness isn't sticky or syrupy; it's refreshing as cold fruit at a hot picnic. The album's powerful instrumental ensemble flexes its muscles while never intruding on Stephanie Richards' vocal tone and style or her crystal clear delivery of the lyrics. Her eminently ear-friendly voice serves up mod pop and jazz-tinged tunes just as deftly as pop-country, four-on-the-floor, head-for-the-sun numbers.
The title track is pure pop heaven: bold, brassy, and pulsating with life as Richards' powerhouse soprano soars over a complex orchestration in a manner reminiscent of '60s stars like Martha Reeves or Diana Ross. The album's non-hackneyed lyric landscape is best exemplified by the poetic poignancy of "Waiting To Say Hello Again," a gently country waltz that explores how childhood often copes with parting.
Before launching Sunshine Collective, Brian Arbuckle and Stephanie Richards had an R&R pop chart hit with Stephanie's debut single, "Get Use To It." Arbuckle's orchestral compositions can be heard on trailers for Benchwarmers, Catwoman, and Spider, among others, as well as network promos for shows like Cold Case, Big Bang Theory, and 60 Minutes. He has mixed music for Sprout, Disney, Disney XD, and Nickelodeon, and he is currently in music production for a new Simpsons promo campaign.
WHERE TO BUY: Up To Something Good will be available at iTunes September 18, 2015
Visit Sunshine Collective's website HERE
Disclosure: I did not receive any products nor was paid for this post. I was given info and streaming links at no charge from the PR Firm / Company. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.
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