The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks Menu



 

Sunsleeper Releases "Blemishes"

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 06/11/2022

(SALT LAKE CITY, UT) -- Indie rock band Sunsleeper have released their newest track, “Blemishes” via Rude Records. Colored by the warm halo of 90s alt-rock nostalgia, the new track takes memories of an ending relationship and reframes them into lessons of mindfulness.  

“’Blemishes’ is about the slow unraveling of a deeply important friendship, as well as the acceptance of the relationship’s end,” shares vocalist Jeffery Mudgett. “The freedom in letting go of a toxic relationship is underrated. Sometimes there’s no need to mourn the end, but rather we should celebrate leaving that toxicity behind.”

“Blemishes” follows the release of previous tracks “Currents” and “In The Clouds”. Dripping with a 90’s inspired alt-rock feel, both of the tracks envelope moments with the mist of nostalgia and the power of dreaming. The tracks have gained notice from Ones To Watch, Hot Topic, Loudwire, Atwood Magazine, and other notable outlets.

Sunsleeper was halfway through the touring cycle for their debut album when the pandemic halted live music. For the Salt Lake City indie rockers, that pause allowed them to reframe what their journey as musicians and people inspires them to create and say. After forming in 2016 and briskly realizing their Nathan Hussey-produced debut EP Stay the Same, the band entered the studio for their debut album, inking a deal with Rude Records. You Can Miss Something and Not Want it Back dropped in summer 2019, with the band celebrating with runs featuring their collaborators and friends in All Get Out, an Audiotree live session, and most recently, a run with TWIABP and Bent Knee in fall 2021. While the pandemic still rages on in uncertain terms, Sunsleeper found themselves more solidified than ever writing their sophomore LP, with their road-tested lineup collaborating cohesively and with united goals. The band even found time to use the pandemic’s themes to rework Mac Miller’s “Come Back to Earth,” highlighting the track’s balance of self-reflection and hopelessness. (Sunsleeper on this recording is vocalist/guitarist Jeffery Mudgett, guitarist Matt Mascarenas, guitarist Cody Capener, bassist Jacob Lara, and drummer Scott Schilling.)

Photo Credit: Megan Mudgett




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage




 

FEATURED EVENTS



Oliver!

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


New Jersey Symphony Presents Opening Weekend: Beethoven’s “Emperor” & Schubert’s “Great”

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


A Beat of Our Own

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


Premiere Stages at Kean presents Effa Loves Baseball

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall
215 North Avenue, Hillside, NJ


George Street Playhouse presents The Unexpected 3rd

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


New Jersey Symphony presents Beethoven's "Emperor" & Schubert's "Great"

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


America250-Harmony Across Cultures New Jersey Youth Symphony & Special Guests

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ


America 250-Harmony Across Cultures Plainfield Symphony Orchestra Joined by NJYS Youth Orchestra

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ


American Repertory Ballet presents Swan Lake

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ


Growing Stage presents Roald Dahl’s MATILDA the Musical

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm
The Historic Palace Theatre
7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong, NJ


MAC Players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Gypsy, a Musical Fable"

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ


South Jersey Pops present Stage Fright: The Soundtrack of the Mysterious

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Lenape High School Auditorium
235 Hartford Road, Medford, NJ


World Premiere of "Ahead of His Time: The Bob Raskin Story"

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ


An Afternoon with Itzhak Perlman

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 3:00pm
NJPAC - Prudential Hall
1 Center Street, Newark, NJ


Lullaby Project Celebration Concert

Sunday, October 25, 2026 @ 3:30pm
NJPAC - Chase Room
1 Center Street, Newark, NJ


 

Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "If the World Is Ending" by Renee Maskin

Beloved Asbury Park singer-songwriter Renee Maskin recently dropped "If the World Is Ending," her fifth LP since 2022.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 10/22/2026




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from October 21-27, 2026




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Two Moths” by Sean Kiely feat. Jean Rohe






 

MORE NEWS

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- On Friday, October 30, 2026, Lizzie Rose Music Room presents a Halloween Spectacular show with a Costume Contest, and Halloween music by The Wag. Are you looking for something fun to do this Halloween? You just found it! Showtime is 7:30pm.


Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill LIVE! at Avenel PAC




State Theatre New Jersey presents Get the Led Out on October 30th




Second Show for Jeremy Jordan added at MPAC




RECAP: Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country at The Stone Pony 10/16/26






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


Asbury Park Music Foundation presents Strike-A-Chord 2 at Asbury Lanes

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Asbury Park Music Foundation presents Strike-A-Chord 2 on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at Asbury Lanes. The event, headlined by Marc Ribler & Friends, brings together established artists, local favorites, emerging musicians and student performers... all sharing one stage to support music education for underserved youth. Showtime is 12:00pm.


Journey brings their Final Frontier Tour to the Prudential Center on Sunday




The Stone Pony presents An Evening with Melvin Seals & JGB on Sunday




Reagan Richards presents "Good Morning, Heartache" at Avenel PAC






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




The Penguin Rocks

© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]

Presented by New Jersey Stage

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads


News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates