The Conspiracy Files

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Defying description and traditional use of instrumentation, The Sunflower Conspiracy emerges with a sound that is completely different, yet strangely familiar and comfortable.

Ben Adrian used a four track, a guitar, a drum machine, and a lot of effects to seed The Sunflower Conspiracy from his bedroom in early '95. Kathryn Carney and Barry McCabe became collaborators and full time members soon after, adding new dimensions to Ben's original sound. The result is the rich, multi-layered, ambient-pop music that The Sunflower Conspiracy performs today.

Listening to the Conspiracy is both an aural and a subcutaneous experience. You can definitely hear the sounds, but when concentrated on or listened to loudly, the music will envelope you and suck you in; you become an active listener.

The Sunflower Conspiracy is also a busy live unit, and even with a great deal of electronics they still play shows frequently. Furthermore, because of the use a drum machine, performing out of town is much easier; meaning there is a good chance that you may catch The Sunflower Conspiracy live in a city near you.



...On The Sunflower Conspiracy

The Sagamore article from November 18th, 1996.

"The Sunflower Conspiracy - Silver Satin Grey

Wow, I never thought something like this could ever spring out of this city - a Syd Barrett kinda My Bloody Valentineish shoegazer band that isn't ashamed of its Hoosierness. In other words, other Indiana bands that have tried to do this kinda stuff were trying so hard to be cool and were so ashamed of their origins that they ended up sounding like Depeche Mode. The Sunflower Conspiracy celebrates its surroundings and relaxes about doing music "the right way" and thus comes up with music that is wholly original.

Silver Satin Grey is the bands first four-song tape, and if it's any indication, this band just may be the first of the next generation of Indianapolis tastemakers to step into the fray. Primarily comprised of a drum machine, guitarist Ben Adrian (Fiddlepoke from Sohcahtoa), bassist Kate Carney, and guitarist Barry McCabe, The Sunflower Conspiracy takes a simple line-up and makes incredibly polished droning psychodelia. "Spontaneous Combustion Engine," "Spacetime," "Vacancy," and "Parks for Theaters" take everything from Love and Rockets drug songs to Dead Can Dance/Eno atmospheric pieces to current Britpop to Julian Cope wack-out sessions and put them all together in a package that proudly bears the made-in-Indiana seal. If you, like me, are proud to be a Hoosier and need yet another reason, Silver Satin Grey should be next on your shopping list." -- Jeff Napier - napierism@nuvo.net

"Cool east coast swirly band a la Slowdive." --- Not Happy Records

"Cool local underground talent" --- Nuvo Newsweekly

"Mysterious Psycho-Rock." --- Nuvo Newsweekly

"i HIGHLY recommend contacting these guys and purchasing one of their tapes! You will NOT be disappointed...i promise." "i was just so impressed" --- Krissy

"This past weekend (Jan. 12), we played a show with Sunflower Conspiracy and Puppet at the Emerson. Sunflower Conspiracy was beautiful. They reminded me a lot of The Cure. See them if you have a chance!" --- The Mergrins

"If Slowdive hears you, they'll kick your ass." --- Michael (from guitartown)


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Last Modified 9.15.98