Sunset Rollercoaster

Sunset Rollercoaster
Sunset Rollercoaster's Soft Storm album promo photo, 2020
Sunset Rollercoaster's Soft Storm album promo photo, 2020
Background information
OriginTaipei, Taiwan
GenresJazz, funk, Dream Pop, Synth-pop, Indie Rock, City Pop
Years active2009–2011, 2015–present
LabelSunset Music Productions
Members
  • Kuo-Hung Tseng (vocals, guitar)
  • Hung-Li Chen (bass)
  • Shao-Hsuan Wang (keyboard)
  • Tsun-Lung Lo (drums)
  • Hao-Ting Huang (saxophone)
Past membersShih-Wei Huang (percussion)
Websitesunsetrollercoaster.com
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese落日飛車
Simplified Chinese落日飞车
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinLuòrì fēichē
Bopomofoㄌㄨㄛˋ ㄖˋ ㄈㄟ ㄔㄜ
Wade–GilesLo4-jih4 fei1-ch‘ê1
IPA[lwô.ɻɨ̂ féɪ.ʈʂʰɤ́]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationLohkyaht fēichē
JyutpingLok6-jat6 fei1-ce1
IPA[lɔk̚˨.jɐt̚˨ fej˥.tsʰɛ˥]

Sunset Rollercoaster (Chinese: 落日飛車 Luòrì fēichē) is a jazz-inspired synth-pop and indie rock band from Taipei, Taiwan, consisting of Kuo-Hung Tseng (vocals, guitar), Hung-Li Chen (bass), Shao-Hsuan Wang (keyboard), Tsun-Lung Lo (drums), and Hao-Ting Huang (saxophone)—previously with Shih-Wei Huang (percussion). The name originated from a Photo Booth picture the group had taken for their MySpace profile in 2009, which had a rollercoaster in front of a sunset as the background.[1][2] The band mostly sings in English, despite being based in a Mandarin-speaking country, which, according to lead singer Kuo Kuo, is to allow them to speak indirectly and allow audiences to discern their own meaning.[3] They have risen to be one of the most prominent, popular and critically acclaimed Taiwanese indie acts.

History

Formation and Reformation

The idea for the band was inspired by Velvet Underground videos that lead singer Kuo found on the internet. The band formed in 2009 as a trio composed of Tseng Kuo Hung, Kevin Lee, and Lo Zun Long; they released their album Bossa Nova in 2011 which was a garage rock album making it their official debut, but then disbanded shortly afterward. Singer Kuo Kuo and drummer Zun Long formed another band, Forests, with a different, much darker sound. Sunset Rollercoaster reformed in 2015 with KuoKuo and Zun Long(Now as ZL) returning while adding 4 new members. Hung Li as the New Bassist, Shao Hsuan(Gump) As Keyboardist, HaoTing as Saxophonist and Hao Chia As Percussionist Then Released Jinji Kikko in 2016[4] and released their second album Cassa Nova in 2018, after the album Hao-Chia left, the band added a new Percussionist Shih-wei Huang.[5] In 2019, the band released the EP Vanilla Villa, which revolves around the story of an alien who loves a human whom it wants to take to a villa.[6]

Rise In Popularity

In 2017, a YouTuber named Alona Chemerys uploaded Sunset Rollercoaster's tracks like My Jinji and New Drug. After her Upload the songs went popular on social media Like My Jinji with over 15 Million Views on YouTube and over 100 Million Streams on Spotify.During the early years their Bossa Nova album was recognized which helped the band played at the Summer Sonic music festival in Japan in 2011.[7] After their hiatus, they performed at SummerStage in Central Park, New York City, as part of the Taiwanese Waves music festival in 2017.[3] They recorded a live studio session at Audiotree in 2018, the first Taiwanese band to do so.[8] The band toured North America as part of the "Business Trip Tour" in 2019. Also In 2018 Sunset Rollercoaster did a collab event during their "Love Motel Love" tour with the Korean indie rock star The Black Skirts which also helped them meet the Korean Indie Rock band Hyukoh as The Black Skirts introduced them. [9][10]

Mainstream Success and Recognition

In early 2020,Shih-wei Huang Left the band and later the band formed their own label "Sunset Music Productions Co".Kuo-Hung Tseng in Los Angeles wrote lyrics for Soft Storm and recorded in part with Ned Doheny.[11] Their 2020 album Soft Storm was named the 4th best album in Asia in 2020 by NME.[12]Also Won Best Band Award In 2021 In The 32nd Golden Melody Awards, alongside their song Candlelight ft.Oh Hyuk Was Nominated As The Best Alternative Pop Song Of the Year. [13]

In 2021, Sunset Rollercoaster's Frontman Kuo-Hung Co-Produced And Co-Wrote For BTS's Kim Namjoon Solo Song "Come Back To Me" where he also provided guitar and bass section. Later on Sunset Rollercoaster released their own cover of the song.[14]

In 2022, Sunset Rollercoaster formally established their own label.Following the label's establishment, the band launched their "Infinity Sunset" project which was a compilation album featuring various other indie acts Like Michael Seyer, Phum Viphurit, Never Young Beach and etc. The songs were released first as joint EPs Like "Subtropical South" which featured Sunset Rollercoaster's drummer Tsun Lung Lo who wrote the track "Jellyfish" In the EP while Michael Seyer provided the 2nd track "Manila Sunset". After the compilation album's release the band started their Infinity Sunset World Tour which also included various collaboration events with the artists featured in the Infinity Sunset album.[15]

In 2023, Sunset Rollercoaster's Music Video for their EP "Little Balcony" won the Best Music Video at 34th Golden Melody Awards alongside various nominations which were their track 'Little Balcony' As the Best Rock Song,a Best Band nod and their track 'Jellyfish' As The Best Alternative Pop Song Of the Year.[16]

Sunset rollercoaster later performed in Coachella 2023 as the first Taiwanese Band and also the same year the first Taiwanese Band To be selected to record official tracks for the Spotify Singles global campaign.[17][18]

They composed 3 songs featured in the anime Sonny Boy. Sunset Rollercoaster collaborated with Hyukoh on the 2024 album AAA, which received seven nominations and 3 Awards for the 36th Golden Melody Awards.[19]

On August 8, 2025 Sunset rollercoaster released their 5th full length album "Quit Quietly" an acoustic guitar based album stripping away all their old sounds as a farewell to their past,which was also nominated as the Best Album Of The Year in the 37th Golden Melody Awards and led to them winning the best band award again.[20]

Members

Current Members

• Kuo-Hung Tseng - Frontman, Founder, Guitarist, Vocalist and Songwriter

• Tsun Lung Lo - Drums, Percussions, Co-Founder, Backing Vocals and Occasional Songwriter

• Hung Li Chen - Bassist and Synth-bass

• Shao Hsuan Wang - Keyboards, Synths, Rhodes Piano and Pianos

• Haoting Huang - Saxophones, Rhythm Guitarist, Synths and Backing Vocals

Former Members

• Kevin Lee - Bassist (2009-2011)

• Hao Chia Chang - Percussions (2015-2018)

• Shih Wei Huang - Percussions and Drum Pads (2018-2019)

Musical Style and Influence

Sunset Rollercoaster members have cited Antônio Carlos Jobim, Jamiroquai, and Ned Doheny as their biggest influences.[21]Frontman Kuo has cited Antônio Carlos Jobim's studio album Stone Flower as his biggest influence. [22] Sunset Rollercoaster's Song 'My Jinji' the name 'Jinji' itself comes from Antônio Carlos Jobim's Song 'Dindi'.[23] They are widely considered to be the "kings of Taiwan's indie scene".They are also highly prominent and respected in Asia, having influences on bands like Wave to Earth.[24]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Bossa Nova (2011)
  • Cassa Nova (2018)
  • Soft Storm (2020)
  • AAA with Hyukoh (2024)
  • QUIT QUIETLY (2025)

Extended plays

  • Jinji Kikko (2016)
  • Vanilla Villa (2019)
  • Little Balcony (2022,Later On Infinity Sunset)
  • Subtropical South (2022, Later On Infinity Sunset)
  • Impossible Isle (2022, Later On Infinity Sunset)

Singles

  • "Villa" (Jerry Paper Remix) (2019)
  • "我是一隻魚 I'm a fish" (cover/remake, 2019)
  • "Candlelight" (featuring Oh Hyuk, 2020)
  • "Help"(Remake with Hyukoh) (2020)
  • "小薇" (cover, 2021)
  • "忘情水" (cover, 2021)
  • "Coffee's on Me" (2021)
  • "Let There Be Light Again" (2021)
  • "滾石40 滾石撞樂隊 40團拚經典 – 愛錯" (cover, 2021)
  • "金牛座的牢騷" (cover, 2022)
  • "Little Balcony" (2022)
  • "Jellyfish" (featuring Michael Seyer, 2022)
  • "Impossible Isle" (2022)
  • "Levia" (2023)
  • "No News No Blues" by Paul Cherry ft. Kuo From Sunset rollercoaster (2022)
  • "Balloon" (cover/remake with Adoy , 2023)
  • "Spotify Singles" (2023)
  • "Travel Agency" (2018)
  • "Leave Your Love" with Parcels, Cosmos People and Haoting from Sunset Rollercoaster (2024)
  • "Do What You Gotta" By Prep ft.Kuo From Sunset rollercoaster (2026)

Live albums

  • Sunset Rollercoaster on AudioTree Live (2018)
  • AAA LIVE with Hyukoh (2025)

Compilation Albums

  • Infinity Sunset With Various Other Artists (2022)

Awards

Year Award Category Recipients Result Ref.
2018 29th Golden Indie Music Awards Best Album Cassa Nova Nominated [25]
Best Band Sunset Rollercoaster Nominated
Best Musician Tseng Kuo-Hung Nominated
2019 30th Golden Melody Awards Best Music Video Namso, Youkim ("Slow") Won [26][27]
Best Band Sunset Rollercoaster Nominated
2021 32nd Golden Melody Awards Best Band Sunset Rollercoaster Won [28][29]
2025 36th Golden Melody Awards Best Vocal Recording Album AAA (HYUKOH & Sunset Rollercoaster) Won
Best Music Video Rafhoo ("Antenna") Won
Best Album Design Chanhee Hong & Na Kim Won

References

  1. ↑ Vukmanovic, Iris (October 14, 2019). "Review: Sunset Rollercoaster's Pie Shop concert was out of this world". The Diamondback. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  2. ↑ Vukmanovic, Iris (October 3, 2019). "Preview: Taiwanese Sunset Rollercoaster performing to sold-out show in D.C." The Diamondback. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Milano, Brett (September 21, 2018). "Sunset Rollercoaster swoops through '80s synth-pop". Boston Herald. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  4. ↑ Fisher, Rachel (December 3, 2018). "Get to Know the Dreamy 5-Member Band Sunset Rollercoaster". WIUX. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  5. ↑ Raygoza, Isabela (August 10, 2016). "Riding the Taiwanese Soul Whirlwind with Sunset Rollercoaster". Bandcamp. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  6. ↑ Martin, Clare (May 1, 2019). "Daily Dose: Sunset Rollercoaster, "Villa"". Paste. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  7. ↑ "SUNSET ROLLERCOASTER". Summer Sonic.
  8. ↑ "落日飛車 Sunset Rollercoaster". Audiotree.
  9. ↑ Lindsay, Cam (October 17, 2020). "Sunset Rollercoaster Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto ON, October 16". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  10. ↑ Ely, Paulette (October 10, 2019). "Sunset Rollercoaster- Villa (Jerry Paper Remix)". Flaunt. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  11. ↑ "SOFT STORM, by Sunset Rollercoaster". Sunset Rollercoaster 落日飛車. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  12. ↑ "The 25 best Asian albums of 2020". NME. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  13. ↑ ""Sunset Rollercoaster win Best Band at Taiwan's Golden Melody Awards 2021"". NME. 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  14. ↑ ""We have to connect with people outside our world": Sunset Rollercoaster's Tseng Kuo-Hung and Balming Tiger's San Yawn in conversation". NME. 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  15. ↑ ""Sunset Rollercoaster drop 'Little Balcony' EP with Phum Viphurit, announce four upcoming collaborative mini-EPs"". Bandwagon.asia. 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  16. ↑ "How Is Sunset Rollercoaster Riding Toward the World? Kuo on Overseas Connections and Cross-Border Creation". Taiwanbeats. 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  17. ↑ ""How did Sunset Rollercoaster catch Coachella's attention?"". Taiwanbeats. 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  18. ↑ "Taiwanese Band Sunset Rollercoaster Builds Momentum With New Spotify Singles". Spotify. 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  19. ↑ Lin, Sean (14 May 2025). "Sunset Rollercoaster, Hyukoh lead Golden Melody Awards nominations". Central News Agency. Retrieved 15 May 2025. Republished as: "Sunset Rollercoaster, Hyukoh lead Golden Melody Awards nominations". Taipei Times. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  20. ↑ Taiwan, Focus (2026-06-27). "Sunset Rollercoaster wins Best Band at Golden Melody Awards". Focus Taiwan. Chao Yen-hsiang. Retrieved 2026-06-27.
  21. ↑ "Subtropical Love with Sunset Rollercoaster". Whiteboard journal. 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  22. ↑ "BANDS ON THE RUN HYUKOH and Sunset Rollercoaster, two of the most influential bands from Seoul and Taipei, are finishing a world tour celebrating their joint album. This is what they've learned about breaking down all borders". SSENSE. 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  23. ↑ "Subtropical Love with Sunset Rollercoaster". Whiteboard journal. 2026-06-28. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  24. ↑ Li, Katherine (2026-08-23). "Finding Your Path: wave to earth". TIDAL. Katherine Li. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  25. ↑ "第9屆金音創作獎入圍名單" [9th Golden Indie Awards Nominees]. Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. September 17, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  26. ↑ "第30屆金曲獎流行音樂類入圍名單" [30th Golden Melody Awards Nominees]. Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  27. ↑ "第30屆金曲獎流行音樂類得獎名單" [30th Golden Melody Awards Winners]. Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. June 29, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  28. ↑ TTV. "第32屆金曲獎頒獎典禮 - 入圍暨得獎名單" [30th Golden Melody Awards Winners]. Ministry of Culture, Taiwan (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  29. ↑ Chiang, Yi-ching (August 21, 2021). "Indie quintet Sunset Rollercoaster wins best band at Golden Melody Awards". Focus Taiwan. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
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