Aspartame Sunshine
Austi Stenson and Emily Erekson, with frequent appearances from Just J (beat box), comprise the band known as Aspartame Sunshine. The band formed in 2015 and has since released an EP featuring five original songs including “South Dakota,” “Smooth,” and “Fire.” These songs can be listened to on their SoundCloud page. A digital copy of the EP can be purchased here.
Most of Aspartame Sunshine’s lyrics and melodies are written by Austi with accompaniment and harmonies by Emily. Their style of music doesn’t “fall squarely into one genre” but rather they “are interested in anything that is beautiful yet unexpected.” A few of the artists that they like include Ingrid Michaelson, Bjork, Bach, and The Shins.
Emily received her Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance at Brigham Young University (BYU), and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Piano Performance at Southern Utah University. She has taught piano, sight singing, and private piano. She has also performed in the Czech Republic with the International Music Academy, in Paris, France, with the European American Music Alliance, and at the Julliard Jazz Festival at Snow College.
Austi grew up in a musical home with a songbird of a mother, however, she has little to no formal training. She studied business and communication at Utah Valley University. In 2008, she discovered the art of singing and songwriting and has been writing her life’s experiences into music ever since.
Austi and Emily recently performed “Our Savior’s Love” and “South Dakota” on an episode of Mormon Channel Studio hosted by Nik Day. They hope their music is not only appreciated for its unique sound, but for the sincerity with which each lyric is delivered.
Follow Aspartame Sunshine
Recent Posts
The Osmonds and My Conversion to the Mormon Faith
Throughout the years, I have been blessed to meet some of the members of the world-renown Osmond family through telephone conversations, emails and letters, and personal meetings. With each encounter, I have been thoroughly impressed by their genuineness, kindness,...
Imagine Dragons’ 8-Month Tour
Today, June 10, 2015, Imagine Dragons begin an exhausting 8-month tour (with time off for Christmas) that will take them all over the U.S. and Canada, then to the Pacific Rim, then all over Europe. Tickets can be purchased from links on their official website, and all...
Gladys Knight – “Where My Heart Belongs”
In an up close and personal interview for Arise Entertainment 360, the Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight talks about the early days of Motown, the struggles that she faced as a single parent, and how she overcame a gambling addiction and also quit smoking. She also talks...
Alex Boyé Elected to Interweave Solutions’ Board of Directors
Interweave Solutions is a non-profit organization that has been revolutionizing the charitable industry by helping people in developing countries create their own sustainable incomes. Interweave helps neighbors help each other end poverty through self-reliance groups....
Mormons Serving Their Communities
The word “service” is more than just a byword for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In fact, one might even say that “service” is a major part of their life. They learn from their youth to be a loving and caring people, and to “lift up the...
Brandon Flowers New Solo Album Has a Personal Twist
When Brandon Flowers played a demo of his song titled “Still Want You” for Ariel Rechtshaid, a record producer, he was almost certain that he would get the same reaction that he had already received from others who had heard it, including his fellow band members....