Sunny War is an Americana singer/songwriter with a punk edge, and her just-announced album Armageddon in a Summer Dress features two punk legends, Steve Ignorant of Crass and John Doe of X. Steve Ignorant is on the just-released lead single “Walking Contradiction,” and the anarcho-punk legend is perfect for this anti-capitalist anthem. “He’s my hero for life,” Sunny says of Steve. “When I started listening to Crass, it changed everything about how I thought about everything.”
“To me it’s the same kind of music,” Sunny adds, referring to folk and punk. “If you’re into punk for the lyrics and the message, there’s definitely a lot of old-time music that has that spirit. Folk used to be very anti-establishment. Pete Seeger, union songs, Woody Guthrie—that’s punk rock shit. It’s all about being an outsider.”
Steve adds, “It’s always an honour to collaborate with someone you respect and Sunny War is no exception. She is the younger voice, taking up the torch of hope in this dark world. The minute I heard the song I knew it would work and recording it was an incredibly emotional experience. The lyrics are now in my head for good – which is not a bad thing, and who knows – maybe one day we’ll get the chance to perform it together live.” Listen and watch the below.
The album also features appearances by Valerie June, Tré Burt, Jack Lawrence of the Raconteurs, Kyshona Armstrong, John James Tourville of The Deslondes, and more. The album comes out February 21 via New West (pre-order).
Tracklist
1. One Way Train
2. Bad Times
3. Rise
4. Ghosts
5. Walking Contradiction (feat. Steve Ignorant)
6. Cry Baby (feat. Valerie June)
7. No One Calls Me Baby
8. Scornful Heart (feat. Tré Burt)
9. Gone Again (feat. John Doe)
10. Lay Your Body
11. Debbie Downer
Sunny War — 2024/2025 Tour Dates
November 13 – Chattanooga, TN – Cherry Street Tavern
November 16 – Winston-Salem, NC – North Carolina Museum of Art
February 21 – Nashville, TN – Third Man Records *Record Release Show
March 27-30 – Knoxville, TN – Big Ears Festival