How did Sundiver first come together as a band in BC?

Tom: “Jared (drummer) and myself (vocals, guitar) both grew up in Vernon and we met in high school, quickly bonding over a mutual love of Green Day. We started our first band together not long after, and over the course of multiple bands, continue to play shows together to this day.

Carter (guitar) grew up in Kelowna, 45 minutes down the road from Vernon, but we first met in Nelson where we both went to college. After graduation, I had some songs I'd written that I wanted to do something with, and formed Sundiver alongside Jared and Carter & our initial bass player Weston, another friend from high school.

Tristan (bass) grew up in Kelowna as well, he and I met when we were both working at the local music store, Wentworth Music. He joined the band a little over a year after its formation as a result of Weston relocating down to Vancouver.”

How has the BC music scene influenced your style or growth as a band?

Jared: “For Tom & I growing up in Vernon, there was never a massive punk or live music scene really - be it due to the size of the town, the lack of venues/accessible spaces for all ages live music, or the timing of the 2010’s, but in recent years there’s definitely been more of a scene blossoming out in the Okanagan. Vernon had venues such as Record City & Local Losers really built a foundation for kids to be able to go to shows, have a place to play with bands they were starting, or really get to experience the bands who had been around or others coming from out of town. Kelowna’s DunnEnzies was another great spot for building that community & the times we get to play in the Okanagan have become more & more special for us with every show. Tom & myself have most recently moved to Victoria & Carter to Vancouver, but we make it a point (& will continue making it a point) to try & go back, & try to give back to those spots we came from in any way we can. They are special places.

What inspires your songwriting the most these days?

Tom: “As far as the lyrics are concerned, I just write about my life and my emotions, personal experiences, and opinions/beliefs. I don't write about stories or characters I've made up. Not that I dislike that approach, plenty of my favorite songwriters do so - Dylan or Springsteen for example - but whenever I attempt to I never like the end result. Maybe one day.

Musically it can really be anything, it's all primarily punk music because that's my favorite and what I listen to most, but I'm not afraid to pull from folk rock or old country or ska or whatever else. Although we're firmly a punk band, I don't pigeonhole myself when I'm writing.”

How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?

Jared: “We’ve always just referred to ourselves as a ‘punk’ band when people ask. Punk as a genre of music has so many sub-genres to it, & people always have different associations with the different terms/sub-genres, we try not to box ourselves into anything overly specific - if not for just the fact the 4 of us all have differing influences from one another we’re all pulling from. But the combination of that + the shared vision of energetic, aggressive, but still melodic & catchy songs we want to play & put out has definitely shaped our sound into hopefully something people find unique & enjoyable. All that being said, people often hit us with the early Green Day, or early Against Me! comparisons, which definitely tracks! But those are for sure comparisons I do find quite complimentary, so can’t complain.”

What’s your favourite part about playing live shows as Sundiver?

Tom: “The connection you make with other people in the moment through music is pretty magical - that's hard to beat. Hearing people I don't know singing my lyrics back to me is beyond moving. The first time it happened I definitely cried a little.”

Do you have any new music or projects you’re excited to share soon?

Jared: “Our latest release - the track ‘Black Cloud’ - is something I will be directing people towards for some time here. Lots of time & effort went into that song, from writing the core of it, to all the little rhythmic details it contains. The accompanying music video was also a big undertaking & is something I am personally very proud of. Outside of that we are aiming to come out with our 3rd EP by the end of 2026, & have knocked out a majority of the writing for a debut LP which we are very excited for.

What do you hope people take away…

Tom: “Honestly, I just hope people have a good time and are able to forget about what's going on in their lives outside of that moment. That's what music does for me, especially live music, and I hope that feeling is mutual with the people at the shows. I hope the shows foster a feeling of community and togetherness for people. Music has always made me feel less alone, at the risk of sounding too self-aggrandizing, I hope our music can do that for someone too.”