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When parsing through the knife's edge separation of success and struggle, a word to push you into the threshold of modest fame and fortune might just be devotion. Devotion to your craft, to the tireless hours spent composing, to your partner in music and in love, to the friends who have buoyed you through it all. In this writer's opinion, Sunday (1994) embodies all of that in poetic unison, a perfect throwback to an era where perseverance, like film slowly developing in the dark, comes into majestic black and white beauty just as their latest EP Devotion does for the listener. This LA band, filled with beautiful people has crafted one of the finest nostalgic sonic journey, an EP that plays out like a classic film; elegant, remote & venerable then crescendoing into purposeful emotion thats feels like honey in your ears. Never wanted to steal words from the poets themselves, we spoke to Lee & Paige direct to get the edit drop on Devotion & more: 

OnesToWatch: Why are you artists? Why do you endeavor to create in a very difficult climate and time to do such a thing? 

Lee Newell: Well, it's a very good question. I don't think it was ever an option not to be, for me. From a very young age, when I first picked up a guitar – when I asked my mum to get me a guitar – I was probably 11? She was eye rolling and thinking it was another phase, that I’d play for maybe five minutes. But I just couldn't put it down. And going to my friends’ bands’ shows, I just got hooked on it. I found it fascinating, especially coming from like a small town outside of London, there was no cool stuff where I lived. It was probably the first time I ever experienced community… and weed. 
So that's a serious answer. But I just can't stop myself. Like writers can’t help but write it down, even if it’s terrible. 

Paige Turner: For me, I grew up in such a musical family that at first, I didn't want to do this. It kind of turned me off because everyone was doing it. But as I got older, it felt like the only thing that came natural to me, and the only thing that got me up in the morning, and what felt passionate to do. I never dread anything to do with music. 

Lee Newell: That’s the bar, right.

I actually envy not having existential dread, so. As a follow up, I know you both have written individually and in different bands, so as Sunday (1994), has your process changed at all? 

Paige: I think we’ve changed and learned a lot from each other. I especially learned a lot from Lee, as he had a headstart in the industry. Now, when you have time on your side and have done music for so long, you get better at not second guessing yourself and trusting your instincts. I don’t worry so much if people will understand our writing. 

Lee: Yes, we’re just more confident. 

Talking image, you have always put together very cinematic and intentional art direction. What drives your brand identity for Sunday (1994)?

Lee: With this project, in this advanced era of my life, I said f*** it, I’m going to wear my influences on my sleeve and make it look exactly as I want. I think anyone in music or film can see where we’ve derived certain styles, though, and further, see that we’ve executed our own take on it. 

Paige: We also have limitations with what we do, so that the cohesiveness and identity are a little bit easier. Everything’s in black and white, and on film, we use the color pink. It naturally looks tailored if it has those elements, and it makes it a lot easier for us to make decisions. In this weird world of social media, we’re posting so much, so it makes our lives simpler to have these limitations. We did that on purpose when we started the project, so we don’t have to question who we are and have any identity crises, because I’ve sure as hell had that in the past. 

You’re embarking on tour as we speak! What sort of advice do you give yourself before your go on tour? 

Paige: Lee, as you know, is the biggest diva I’ve ever met in my life, so he needs his steamer. 

Lee: My god…

Paige: Don’t leave your van in San Francisco, we’ve made that mistake in the past…

Lee: This goes without saying, but OVER-rehearse. Make sure you’re so confident in what you’re playing so you can be so present during the gigs. 

Paige: Yeah, we did a dress rehearsal with our friends and family, and now I feel so at ease for the actual gigs, because we already “played” one show and went well.

Do you music direct your own show? 

Lee: Yes, basically, but we now have our own sound guy, tour manager, driver, photographer… so that’s been super helpful to delegate. 

Is there anything you specifically look forward to when you headline a tour versus support a band? 

Paige: We’ve only played a few headline shows as a band, but it was so cool to see people singing along to the small amount of songs we have out. That changes everything. Having people there who know all the lyrics really energizes you. 

Lee: You also get paid more. Kidding. But it is fun to be the belle of the ball, although it’s a lot of pressure. I am still grappling with the obligation of meeting people after the show, because I want to meet them, but I fear disappointing them. We portray ourselves as very mysterious online, and I’m a goof in real life. 

I do think a lot of artists struggle with the idea of their personhood versus their brand identity. It’s hard to represent yourself and your project perfectly in interviews and shows and such. Have you learnt anything over the years that helps with those positions? 

Paige: We actually have turned down a few on-camera things in order to remain mysterious. I feel like the second I’m in front of the camera I’m not the cool lead singer, I’m extremely ordinary. 

Lee: And it’s not even about appearing cool.

Paige: Yes, it’s just that we know too much about everyone. And everyone is cooler when you know less about them. 

Lee: Totally. We are absolutely thrilled to meet everyone who comes to see us, though. 

Tell us about your upcoming EP Devotion. 

Paige: It’s coming out on May 9th, and each song on it is some sort of prequel or sequel to the songs on our first EP. We love it. 

Lee: It’s been really fun putting it together. And we’d love to shout out our label Arista, because they’ve really given us free creative reign. We feel really lucky. It’s our favorite music we’ve ever made. 

Paige: We’re excited for fans to try and put together which song is connected to which one on the original EP. 

Getting into more of your personality then, how do you guys relax? 

Paige: We don’t, really. I feel like I used to… Now, I guess we rot on the couch occasionally? 

Lee: We do quite boring stuff, like read and sit down. 

Paige: We love our dog – he’s a Chihuahua, and he literally will not get up if we don’t get up. So we hang out with him. 

I think you might be some of the last people left in LA who admit to reading. Anything you can suggest? 

Lee: I just finished one called Saturday Night, Sunday Morning. It’s a post-war snapshot of a working class family in England over a Saturday night and a Sunday morning. That’s how it’s separated – the Saturday night is the wild part of the book, and the Sunday morning is the reconciliation hangover. And then I just started one called Last Exit to Brooklyn, it’s supposed to be really interesting. 

Paige: I’m still reading The Bell Jar, and it’s taking me a long time. There is an author named Kristen Hanna, and I would say she’s my favorite. It’s very poetic and from a female perspective, and they’re usually historical. The gateway book would be The Great Alone, you’ll be sobbing in your bed. 

Last question. Who are your OnesToWatch? Who needs some more flowers in the music scene?

Paige: Our amazing friend Jane is so great.

Lee: He’s like Fred Again meets Aphex Twin meets RY X. There’s also this artist named Jimothy Lacoste, and he’s like the Gen Z Petshop Boys. 

Paige: He posts very cool, funny videos on Instagram. 

Amazing, well thank you so much for chatting with me, I can’t wait to hear how tour goes. 

Paige & Lee: Thank you so much!

See Sunday (1994) on tour:

14 MAY - The Village Underground

London, United Kingdom

15 MAY - Great Escape Festival

Brighton, United Kingdom

16 MAY - Great Escape Festival

Brighton, United Kingdom

18 MAY - Banquet Records In-Store

Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom

20 MAY - Bodega

Nottingham, United Kingdom

21 MAY - Sunflower Lounge

Birmingham, United Kingdom

23 MAY - Arts Club

Liverpool, United Kingdom

24 MAY - Live at Leeds in the Park

Leeds, United Kingdom

25 MAY - Neighbourhood Weekender

Manchester, United Kingdom

27 MAY - King Tut's Wah Wah Hut

Glasgow, United Kingdom

29 MAY - Block Party Paris

Paris, France

30 MAY - VESTROCK Festival

Hulst, Netherlands

31 MAY - Dauwpop Festival

Hellendoorn, Netherlands

05 JUN - The Troubadour

Los Angeles, California