We might just have found our new favourite band. Hailing from Copenhagen, Danish alt-rock outfit Sunraker champions an incredibly brooding and intense sonic imprint, a blend of alternative influences, shoegaze dreaminess and post-punk anger that’s hard to resist. Evocative and nostalgic, such a potent formula has now been distilled into a debut EP, the eponymous offering ‘Sunraker’.
In it, listeners are met with six standout tracks featuring a variety of moods and emotional shifts. ‘Mad’ and ‘Marshlands’ are our favourite episodes on the EP, reflective and sombre pieces steeped in melodic alt-rock and 90s influences. ‘Emerald Girl’ follows suit with a more angular livery, taking us to the ambient-coded interlude ‘Sun’. ‘Red Light’ and ‘Sunraker’ see the Danish band at its fiercest and boldest.
Sunraker are lead singer and songwriter Sophus Alf, Louie Sears (lead guitar), Mikkel Skibye (drums), and Lasse Mortensen (bass). Intrigued by the project, we caught up with the talented group to learn more about their artistry and future goals… Interview below!
Hey guys, thanks for chatting with us! Your latest EP is arguably the biggest milestone in Sunraker’s artistic journey so far, and I am quite impressed by it. Before we dive deep into it, I’d love to widen the context around the project. The band has been active since 2023, but there’s a year and a half gap between ‘Days Gone’ and ‘Siberia’. Safe to say, you did return in 2025 stronger than ever. What happened during your absence? I imagine you were busy writing music behind the scenes?
We were writing and producing, which is a constant ongoing process. We also introduced some new members.
Following up on my previous questions, from ‘Siberia’ onwards the project has embraced a darker, gloomier and more cinematic-oriented sound. In a sense, you have refined and dialled in a sonic formula that’s incredibly peculiar and original. That’s very valuable to us, and we suspect it will gain you a loyal audience. Is there any particular inspiration behind your current sound? Perhaps a fellow artist or band that has had a positive impact on you all?
Our inspirations are pretty widespread. You will hear all sorts of different answers depending on who in the band you ask. There is some post-punk/goth-rock stuff like The Cure and Cocteau Twins, but also some heavier stuff like Queens of the Stone Age. Jeff Buckley is also a band favourite.
You are currently based in Copenhagen, yet your music and English lyricism make the project palatable for an international public. Would you say that your cultural references are more centred around the Anglophone world?
Yes, you could say that. I don’t think any of us care much about Danish music culture, and it can sometimes seem the Danes don’t care much about the rock genres of music either. Our lyrical themes often revolve around introspection and emotional growth, so maybe language isn’t all that relevant.
‘Sunraker’, the EP, was released just a few days ago, a five-track record that collects past singles and new offerings. I love how vivid and brooding it comes across, indulging in both escapism and moody euphoria. Are you proud of how the EP turned out? Do you have any favourite songs in it?
We are proud of the record, and relieved that it’s finally out. Having the freedom of our own recording space gave us the breathing room to really care for the tracks and, in turn, allowed us to be in control throughout the whole process. We have a couple of favourites, ‘Mad’ for the emotional and thematic message and sound, and ‘Emerald Girl’ for the production and expansiveness.
The way I described the EP in my previous question directly relates to the record’s overarching lyrical ethos, “exploring the transition from youthful idealism to the realities of adulthood”, as your press release explains. Adulthood can be hard to accept, especially when evolving through a youth filled with hopes and dreams. How much introspection is there in the EP? Is this something you have experienced first-hand?
Growth is rarely graceful. It is awkward, contradictory and often frightening. But it’s also necessary. The EP doesn’t offer easy answers to the uncertainties of adulthood. It sits alongside us in those moments of doubt, reminding us that becoming who we are is a process still unfolding. The goal was to make an EP that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
In its purest form, ‘Sunraker’ is a clash of identity, a transitional moment captured in musical form. Is there a particular message that listeners should extract from the record?
Same answer as above, but to add: Don’t be afraid of expressing yourself, life is hard and scary sometimes!
Lastly, what’s next for the project? Are you planning any live performances in Denmark and abroad?
We have a couple of festival shows in the summer. And then we’re going back to the studio.