In recent years, indie rock has taken an increasingly Americana meets country orientation. At its highest levels, we see this in the festival circuit. For example, the 2026 edition of Buckeye Country Superfest has Tyler Childers headlining with support from Lord Huron; the former who rose to prominence in the indie circuit, and the latter mostly known for its indie rock tendencies. In recent years, we’ve seen everyone from Dustin Kensrue of Thrice to Adrienne Lenker of Big Thief make names for themselves on the alt-country circuit.

Sunday Driver from Columbus, OH are setting themselves up to be another name to join the conversation. On the heels of multiple sold out shows in Central Ohio, this weekend they will support Kenzie Cait; a Nashville artist who exists more in the realm of shimmering pop. at A&R Music Bar on October 5th.

Sunday Driver pulls light influences from artists with more “twang” but exist squarely in the territory of heartland oriented indie rock, if their debut single “Indy Floyd” is any indication. We got to sit down with the band to learn a bit more about what makes them tick.

Tuned Up: What should be the go-to cocktail or drink that would pair with listening to Sunday Driver?

Sunday Driver: Could be a kombucha if you’re  more like me , but let’s be honest, it’s either a Jack and Coke or a shot of Fernet

What excites you the most about the Columbus scene right now?

The scene here’s passionate. The best crowds don’t come out for everything; they come out when they really feel like it’s worth it. And when they do, it’s electric. It makes you love them even more, because you know they’re not just there to fill space, they’re there because they love music. God, I love them.

With unlimited funds and resources, what would be in the ultimate Sunday Driver stage production?

pyrotechnics, robots, green screen suits and we’d have the whole band strapped to wires, flying around the room .   

Or maybe flip it completely and try to capture the feeling of being outside in the woods on a fall evening – where it’s quiet, but every sound feels bigger.

Is there a core memory from childhood that informs your creative process, or that made you want to start this project? If so, what?

I just remember music always having my back, even moments when I couldn’t recognize it. The choice to learn guitar completely changed the trajectory of my life. It gave me a way to process everything, and I think I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to pay that back through the songs I write.

Who is the best artist you’ve seen live and why?

Marlon Funaki; partially because we opened for them, partially because of recency bias, but primarily because they have every ounce of their set perfectly crafted and planned out as if they were playing in front of 50,000 people, yet they were only playing in front of 300 and gave the same energy and effort. That type of intention is inspiring as hell.

What is your favorite “third space” in Columbus (bar, cafe, etc)?

I don’t really have a set third space. I’ve always been kind of nomadic; I can never settle on one area. If anything, it’s outside. I love running through the city in the morning, the city breeze never fails to fire me up.

What challenges does being in a band in your sound bring to the table in Columbus? What advantages does it bring?

Honestly, I don’t think there are any disadvantages. So far, it’s felt like everyone in the indie-alt universe is looking out for each other. The scene’s been nothing but welcoming, and that makes it easier to just focus on being ourselves.

What’s the ONE THING you hope listeners will take away from your art?

That it was crafted from the heart and out of the spontaneity of that heart.

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