Artist Spotlight: Sixsun

Recently, my work day started like usual. Logging in to my computer and looking for some music to get me going. Nothing from my usual suspects of playlists sounded good, so I scrolled through until something caught my eye. Spotify recommended an EP by an artist called Sixsun. Intrigued, I fired up the playlist and began to work. However, I quickly found myself distracted by what I was hearing. The song “Spaceman,” the EPs titular track, caught me by surprise. I immediately shared the song on Instagram because I just wanted other people to hear the song.

To my surprise, the artist’s account reached out to me thanking me for the shoutout. We started chatting for a little bit about how I found him and talking about the music. I was so intrigued that I asked if he’d be open to an article about the band and music so I could learn more about this project.

Sixsun is the current project of Justin Bjur. A few years ago, Bjur moved to Brooklyn from Portland, Oregon. After this move, his music project honorscouts, with fellow songwriter/producer (and childhood best friend) Alex Shane, was paused.

Bjur embarked on a personal journey, taking a two-year hiatus to build a music and media company, hosting events in his recording studio. During this hiatus, he immersed himself in the music of the ‘60’s and early 70’s. Feeling a deep resonance with this era, Bjur envisioned a modern-sounding project inspired by and paying homage to that influential period in rock history.

Sixsun officially launched in September of 2023 with a live performance at Bjur’s showcase in Clinton Hill. 2024 saw the release of the EP Sixsun. This four song collection showcases melding of classic sounds and modern production.

Sixsun weaves a unique tapestry of musical styles. Drawing inspiration from folk, blues, and psychedelic rock, Sixsun’s sound is a refreshing departure from the hyper-realistic trends of our time. With a penchant for magical realism and world-building, Sixsun’s music offers a captivating escape from the daily mundane, inviting you to discover a rich tapestry of lore within its melodies. This is exactly what drew me to this music; I was immediately taken in by the kaleidoscope of styles that were so seamlessly incorporated into a single track.

The record’s remaining three tracks, “Starry Night,” “Speed of Light,” and “Hurricane” focus more on the more blues-rock/psychedelic sound. These songs just beg to be played live with the volume turned up. 

Currently, Bjur is working on completing his debut album, Transaviation. Upon release, Bjur will be hosting a private listening party. If you’d like to catch Sixsun live, several shows will be announced upon release of the album.

To learn more about Sixsun, find him on Instagram @sixsunmusic and on the web at mmm.page/sixsun.main.

Check out the music video for the EPs title track, Spaceman below.

Note: Huge shoutout to Michael “Moon” Mondragon for providing all of the images included in this article.

Spaceman Music Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ynu9zKUALQ 

Written by: Adam Briggs

Photo Credit: Michael “Moon” Mondragon