Sunny War | |
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| Born | Sydney Lyndella Ward (1990-11-30) November 30, 1990[a] Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2014–present |
| Website | sunnywar.com |
Sydney Lyndella Ward (born November 30, 1990), known professionally as Sunny War, is an American singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. Her sound is frequently categorized as folk punk,[1] while her songwriting is often described as introspective. Her songs blend rock, gospel, and country music.[2] She began her music career in 2014 with the release of her extended play Worthless, but garnered mainstream attention and critical praise after the release of her 2020s albums.[3][4]
Early life
Sydney Lyndella Ward was born in Nashville, Tennessee, to a single mother on November 30, 1990.[5][a] At age 7, her mother bought her a guitar, and she took classes on the piano and the harmonica.[9] When she was in middle school, she moved from Tennessee to California. She taught herself to play the guitar from watching and mimicking how her friend's father played the banjo, which resulted in her distinctive finger picking style.[1][10]
Career
Career beginnings
In her early twenties, Ward quit her job in a mall to pursue music full time.[9][11] Her first EP as a solo artist was Worthless. She sold Worthless CDs on the Venice, California boardwalk.[citation needed]
Mainstream success
Her 2021 album, Simple Syrup, saw her receive broader mainstream recognition.[12] Her follow-up, Anarchist Gospel, was lauded by critics, with Jonathan Bernstein of Rolling Stone calling it a "powerful statement" and Pitchfork's Stephen Erlewine calling the record "emotionally resonant and curiously hopeful."[13][3] 2025's Armageddon in a Summer Dress was also critically acclaimed.[14]
Discography
EPs
- Worthless (2014)
- Red, White and Blue (2016)
- With the Sun (2018)
- Can I Sit with You? (2020)
Studio albums
- Particle War (2018) — collaborative album with Particle Kid
- Shell of a Girl (2019)
- Simple Syrup (2021)
- Anarchist Gospel (2023)
- Armageddon in a Summer Dress (2025)
References
- ^ a b Per Paste, Ward was born in 1990.[6] Ward posted to Instagram about her birthday on November 30 in both 2021 and 2024.[7][8]
- ^ a b Treynor, Olivia (August 14, 2023). "Sunny War is Americana's brightest star and biggest skeptic". Document Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Gabino, Santi (October 29, 2024). "From the Copacabana to Sunny War's unique sound and Journey's hits". The West Volusia Beacon. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Bernstein, Jonathan (February 1, 2023). "Sunny War Is One of the Best New Voices in Roots Music". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Hiltner, Justin (February 15, 2023). "The 'Anarchist Gospel,' According to Sunny War". The Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Warren, Bruce (January 18, 2018). "Sunny War Wants to Comfort Your Broken Heart on "'If It Wasn't Broken"". WXPN. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ Himes, Geoffrey (February 2, 2023). "Sunny War Can't Be Contained". Paste. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
- ^ Sunny War [@sunnywarmusic]; (November 30, 2021). "Turned 31 today. Thankful to be alive. 😊". Retrieved January 13, 2026 – via Instagram.
- ^ Sunny War [@sunnywarmusic]; (November 30, 2024). "It's my birthday. Made this around 4:30am. I'm gonna have some fun today or something. Happy to still be alive. 😊". Retrieved January 13, 2026 – via Instagram.
- ^ a b sidreddy (July 6, 2021). "Meet Sunny War: Singer Songwriter". SHOUTOUT LA. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ "Sunny War: A Different Kind of Blues". Acoustic Guitar. August 7, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Hiltner, Justin (January 22, 2025). "LISTEN: The Devil Makes Three, "Ghosts Are Weak"". The Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Turner, Rianna. "Sunny War Saves The World with Album 'Simple Syrup'". Forbes. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sunny War: Anarchist Gospel". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Petridis, Alexis (March 7, 2025). ""I ate acid for two months straight. It was the best time of my life": Americana anarcho-punk Sunny War on booze, drugs and the KKK" – via The Guardian.
