Here’s something fantastic that just came out on Monday…following a possible 30 years in the digital deep freeze of a 90s DAT tape. The band Sunshine Blind were part of the 90s Goth Scene that saw Goth and Darkwave churn up new bands like Switchblade Symphony, whom Ye Olde Monk once saw open up for…Gary Numan. The core of the original band were singer Caroline Blind and CHWK, who were a couple during the first phase of the band [1991-2004] before they split up and that was it for Phase One of the band.

In the ‘teens they mended fences and would occasionally reform in a new configuration as seen above from last years’ gig at The Red Party in NYC. Still with core duo of Caroline and CHWK, but abetted with the rhythm section from Faith + The Muse; William Faith and Geoff Bruce. We know William Faith from his production of the recent singles by the band Autumn, who had a superb singer in Ms. Julie Plante who I was very impressed with. Apparently, Mr. Faith knows great singers when he hears them, because Caroline Blind is another gifted vocalist working in the Goth genre with impressive results.

When the group began digging through the debris of the past in preparation for moving ahead, they came across DAT tapes recorded in the 90s, and thankfully, they were able to score a working deck to master them! They thought some of the fruits of their archaeology were worth hitting our ears in advance of new material, and having heard the results, I can only concur! This pair of demos were my first exposure to the band, but if this was what they had clogging the tape archive back then, I can only say that I’m waiting for the new material with the greatest of anticipation.

Sunshine Blind: Unreleased Vol. 1 – US – DL [2025]

1. Tomorrow 5:38
2. Hanging Lake Demo 4:57

“Tomorrow” began so subtly that one barely heard anything at first. But then the steady drumbeat moved the song along as languid guitar added gentle its gentle tones. Then Caroline Blind began singing the delicate song as the bass began building a mood. Caroline gave us plenty of reason to stick around with her immaculate delivery. When it comes to vocalists, I’ve always maintained that taste was more important than ability, but a handful of singers like her show us that it’s possible to have it all in this fallen world. On occasion.

At the halfway point the big guitars cut in with volume and distortion as the song kicked up the energy levels to quickly transition from a late-night intimate vibe to truly anthemic as Ms. Blind projected to match the guitars as the song flared out in a burst of white light. With the guitars feeding back slightly in a haze of reverb. Ending the song on a whole new plane from where it humbly began.

Steady beats and chugging sequencers vying for space with the guitars began the demo of “Hanging Lake” with none of the subdued energy levels that the first song brought to our ears. By the time of the first chorus Caroline’s fiery delivery she was delivering the fortissimo performance that she coyly held back on with “Tomorrow.” Usually it’s Italians who offer us this sort of vocal brio. This made the second classic in a row on “Unreleased Vol. 1.” Don’t just take my word on it.

Maybe now you can hear why I simply cannot wait for the new material the band are preparing. And since this single was entitled “Unreleased Vol. 1,” here’s hoping that there’s more material this rousing that they can pry from the ancient DAT tapes while they are readying the new songs. This will set your back $2.00 in their Bandcamp store, but the delight there is you can always top up for the band. DJ hit that button!

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