Under the Kentucky heat, the Bourbon & Beyond festival crowd roared as Sullvn took the stage, delivering a performance that was nothing short of electric. With their ska-punk roots and high-energy presence, had fans dancing, singing, and, in my case, fangirling a little. After the set, I sat down with frontman Sully to talk band dynamics, creative process, and what keeps the music alive after more than a decade together.
Staying in Sync
Sullvn has been together for 15 years, but as a collective, they’re only now starting to break through on a national scale. When asked about balancing so many voices and instruments on stage, Sully shared his philosophy:
“I came up with this a few years ago: I’m not paying you for my opinion. I’m paying you for your opinion. As the songwriter and producer, I stay in my lane, but the band members are pros. I follow their lead more than they follow mine. There’s not a lot of ego in our group—we’ve been at this too long for that.”
It’s a give-and-take that works. The band may be newly “discovered,” but their foundation is strong and deeply collaborative.
Writing for the Moment
When it comes to songwriting, Sullvn writes first and foremost for themselves.
“It would be superficial to write for an audience. We don’t write to land in a movie, though funnily enough we’ve got a song coming out in a film next month. We write for how we feel in the moment. Hopefully people connect with it, but it starts with us.”
Their latest single—produced by John Feldmann of Goldfinger—dropped the same day, and was the closing song to their Louisville performance, giving fans a taste of what’s next.
Keeping the Spark Alive
After 15 years together, what keeps Sullvn inspired? Sully says it’s simple: the fans.
“You saw it today—it’s the crowd. One night we’re surfing, the next we’re in Louisville with people singing our songs back to us. That’s what keeps it going.”
Touring also fuels their energy. From Nashville to Las Vegas (with a special show alongside Goldfinger), Sullvn thrives on the road— even if, as a California band, they miss the ocean when touring inland. “We need that vitamin sea,” Sully joked.
Beyond the Music
When they’re not on stage, Sullvn keeps active outdoors. Surfing is a big part of Sully’s life, but he admitted with a grin that being landlocked in the Midwest has been an adjustment. Still, the warmth of Kentucky hospitality—and maybe a good bourbon—softens the blow.
“I watched the movie ‘Neat’ a couple years ago and became a full bourbon fan. Angel’s Envy is my favorite. Kentucky knows how to do it right.”
What’s Next for Sullvn
With a new single out, a Christmas song with ROME set to appear in a Tyler Perry film later this year, and more tour dates ahead, Sullvn shows no signs of slowing down.
“We hope to be back here next year. This scene is incredible. Keep up with us at sullvnmusic.com, [the fan’s] support keeps us alive.”
For a band that’s been building its sound for over a decade, their moment feels like it’s just beginning. If their Bourbon & Beyond set was any indication, Sullvn is ready to ride this wave as far as it will take them.
The founder of Happy Hippie Creative, Courtney Bell, was born and raised in Western Kentucky, where she developed an early interest in art and photography. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Arts Administration and moved to the Cincinnati area in 2019. She has worked with various clients and organizations, such as local businesses, nonprofits, and festivals, to showcase their stories and products through her images.
Courtney Bell is not only a photographer, but also an avid art, music and live performance lover. She loves supporting her local communities and attending events that celebrate the diversity and culture of Cincinnati, OH. She loves using her time and skills to document and promote the work of local artists, musicians, and performers. She believes that art and photography can bring people together and inspire positive change in the world.
