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
Maddie Wilson’s Dynamic Cover of Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y.”
Independent music artist and extraordinary vocalist, Maddie Wilson, has become well-known on YouTube with her sensational covers of some of the favored songs of today. Her music videos include songs by familiar artists such as Justin Timberlake, One Direction, Taylor...
Alex Boyé Shares Powerful Message in New Video – “We All Bleed the Same”
The late humanitarian, civil rights leader, and orator, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “We've learned to fly the air like birds, we've learned to swim the seas like fish, and yet we haven't learned to walk the earth as brothers and sisters.” That profound...
Gardiner Sisters Collaborate with LDS Actors in New Music Video
The family singing trio, the Gardiner Sisters, released their original acoustic song, "Running," in a new music video featuring LDS actors. After posting their original acoustic song to their YouTube page in 2011, the Gardiner Sisters received multiple fan requests...
David Archuleta’s Stirring Rendition of “God Bless the USA”
Recently in the United States of America, we celebrated the 4th of July, our day of freedom and the beginning of a fresh start for our country. The American people were able to come together on this day to join in the celebration and the commemoration of those who...
92 Keys Magnificent Performance From the Edge of a Cliff
The daring musical duo known as 92 Keys have created another remarkable music video guaranteed to wow their viewing audience. The video of the song "Uprising on Bach's Toccata" was filmed on the edge of a cliff near Swan Valley Dam, outside of Kuna, Idaho. The song is...
The Piano Guys Receive First Gold Record in Front of Hometown Audience
People may not be immediately familiar with the names Jon Schmidt, Paul Anderson, Steven Sharp Nelson or Al van der Beek. However, millions of people worldwide are familiar with the incredible music that these four Latter-day Saint dads create under the name The Piano...