At the tender age of seven-years Padric Payton and Asa Anderson knew two things: they wanted to be great at music and that their growth would never diminish when shared as dedicated singers, songwriters and brothers.It would be years before the two young dreamers understood how much music flowed through the blood of each other’s heritage. Padric’s musical influence ranged from as far wide as California surf culture to the European Pop Revolution to Van Morrison.Asa’s influence comes from the inescapable sounds of Southern jazz and blues, R&B all the way back to Motown.When the two talented friends joined forces their success was bound to explode far beyond their own expectations. Music would naturally and permanently be in their wheelhouse.The challenge for both Padric and Asa would never be how to play…their challenge would be what to play.
Just as a lamp shines brighter when oil is added, notes from instruments harmonize the greatest music when a talented band is born.Payton and Anderson solidified this harmony when they formed the band, ‘River of Suns’ shortly after college.The name sprang forth from the organic experience of viewing the stream of light that reflects over the ocean during summer sunsets in Southern California.As Padric and Asa began to mature, so did their trust and understanding of the band’s musical direction.In high school they wrote and performed songs that integrated each other’s backgrounds, playing frequent live shows at the classic venues on the Sunset Strip.Fans of their early partnership enjoyed the group’s unbridled, raw talent.Little by little, discipline crept in and the band’s production chops and songs began to tighten while sacrificing none of its edge.
Flash forward to mid-2009, when the duo met Santa Barbara guitarist/keyboardist Connor Marks, producer/guitarist Daniel McMains and drummer Sean Winchester.Since their union the collective has tripled their output of material, had music featured on shows from NBC, ABC, Hallmark Channel and a handful of feature films, self-produced arranged and recorded their singles and fine-tuned a killer live show.
‘River of Suns’ found and settled into their voice: a unique and soulful pop with clean hooks, a deep pocket and captivating stories nestled in their co-written songs. Fans liken their sound to Sting, Ray Lamontagne, Peter Gabriel, Sade, Robin Thicke and James Morrison.When the two friends entered adulthood ‘River of Suns’ music rounded, finessed, expanded, and became a fixture in some of the most respected venues in the Los Angeles area including The El Rey, The Mint, The Viper Room, Room 5 and Molly Malones.
With a nod to the classic records of the 60’s and 70’s, the band wrote, recorded and produced their first single "Nothing's On the Radio" (as well as the rest of their forthcoming release) to 2-inch tape at Hemispheres Studios in North Hollywood.The song will be featured on FUSE's "New Music Live" and their first studio EP, available Spring 2011. Over the years a constant flow of competent musicians entered and exited the group yet there was no mark left in the quality of songs, thanks to the synergy and unwavering commitment of the principal songwriters and blood brothers.
‘River of Suns’ has opened for quality artists such as Soulive, David Ryan Harris (John Mayer Band), Blood Sweat and Tears, Jay Nash and Ernie Halter on the LA circuit.In the past year ‘River of Suns’ has narrowed the gap between their project and other polished acts across the country, and continued the development of a loyal and growing fan base. To further promote their release the band plans to gain exposure by securing more music licenses, executing a college radio campaign and booking a summer tour.
Now the growing fan base of ‘River of Suns’ enjoy the matured vocals of the sultry and poignant lead singer, Padric Payton.Asa shares more and more of the vocals while pushing his own versatility playing guitar as well as bass, his principal instrument while studying jazz at the University of Southern California.‘River of Suns’ future shines bright and the group’s success is now unlimited; all of which started from the founding band member’s graduation from elementary school. With commitment, talent and persistence, dreams do manifest into reality.
