sunflwr
An unexpected throwdown.
That’s how I would describe sunflwr’s set that my friend Amber and I attended at El Cid in Silver Lake. Based on the music of his I’ve heard, I walked in prepared to side-step, sway, maybe shimmy a shoulder here and there– but my friend and I walked out drenched in sweat, norepinephrine pumping through our veins, beaming.
Sunflwr, aka Lucas Hanson, has clearly put in the work. Originally from the Bay Area, Hanson started out playing piano and bass before diving into electronic music during his teenage years. Inspired by artists such as Gorillaz, Little Dragon, and Bonobo, his passion for music eventually led him to study music technology and digital media at UC Berkeley. Then, like anyone who has ever been cool, he moved to NYC, fell in love with house music and began his journey as a DJand producer. As an independent artist, Hanson has cultivated a steadily growing community of devoted listeners across Instagram, Spotify, and SoundCloud. Now based in LA, Sunflwr is on the rise, and I was at his very first headlining show.
Sunflwr’s music can be best described as ethereal, groovy house beats that are best for late-night drives, chill study time, and early morning afters with the inner circle – which is why I was so surprised to find myself and the rest of the audience jumping out of our skin during his set. Maybe the BPM was cranked up a bit, maybe I just hadn’t experienced his tracks with the full force of professionally amplified bass, or maybe it was the electric energy of his debut headlining performance—all I know is the energy was off the charts, his mixing was flawless, and the vibes were impeccable.
What I loved most about the night was seeing the hyper exchange of energy between Sunflwr and the audience, especially in such an intimate venue. It felt like both he and Paluma Sound (who opened the show) were in perfect sync with the crowd. When they smiled, we smiled. When they jumped, we jumped. The whole night felt like a big, warm bear hug. I can’t wait to see where these two go next—because if this show was any indication, they’re shooting straight for the moon.
