SOFTSUN and TEN EAST premiere a full split album!

Californian psychedelic rock force of nature SoftSun and Ten East present an album featuring members of Yawning Man, Earthless and Pia Isa. "Ten East & SoftSun" is out April 3rd via independent label Ripple Music.

Shortly after forming in late 2023, SoftSun — the project formed by guitarist Gary Arce of Yawning Man, bassist and vocalist Pia Isaksen and drummer Dan Joeright — had a highly productive time recording in both 2024 and 2025. After finishing their debut album Daylight in the Dark, the band had more material they wanted to record and finished three more songs for Ripple Music. Gary Arce then came up with the idea of releasing the songs as part of a split album with his other project Ten East, which had been quiet for some years.

Inspired to write new Ten East songs, he put together a recording session with Yawning Man drummer Bill Stinson and Pia Isaksen on bass, and later had Isaiah Mitchell of Earthless record some additional guitar. Stellar players, mesmeric sound and the soul of the Californian desert: SoftSun and Ten Eastdeliver a rad split album that locks you into a hypnotic groove and refuses to let go. Ten East & SoftSun will be released as part of Ripple Music's fan-revered Turned To Stone split series on April 3rd. 

TEN EAST & SOFTSUN "Ten East & SoftSun" split album
Out April 3rd on Ripple Music (LP/digital) - Preorder

About Ten East

Ten East is an experimental project initially formed by Gary Arce, Mario Lalli, Bill Stinson and Brant Bjork. The project´s first release Extraterrestrial Highway came out on Cobraside in 2005. The project is named after Interstate 10, a major transcontinental highway stretching from Santa Monica, California, to Jacksonville, Florida, known for its diverse landscapes. Always collaborating with different musicians, depending on availability and which musician friends were around, the project has been like a revolving door of contributors.

The music is based on loose structures, as improvisation and an experimental attitude have always been at the heart of the music. Letting the tape roll and seeing what happens has always been their main method. This split will be Ten East's first release since 2016's Skyline Pressure, featuring Gary Arce (guitar), Bill Stinson (drums), Pia Isaksen (bass) and Isaiah Mitchell (additional guitar).

Gary Arce - Guitars
Isaiah Mitchell - Additional guitars
Bass - Pia Isaksen
Bill Stinson - Drums

Photo by Ten East

About SoftSun

SoftSun is the result of a divine collaboration between visionary musicians from opposite sides of the world: Yawning Man guitarist Gary Arce from the Californian Mojave Desert and vocalist and bassist Pia Isaksen from the cold and ever-inspiring grounds of Norway. Their environments are nearly palpable in their beautifully heavy, mellow and ethereal sound, with Arce’s trademark cinematic guitar soundscapes providing a stark contrast to Isaksen's heavy bass and haunting vocals combined with Dan Joeright's perfectly patient drumming.

Released in the fall of 2024 via Ripple Music, their debut album Daylight in the Dark was hailed as “a truly majestic work of art” by UK website Outlaws of the Sun and “something that will haunt you long after you step away from these tracks,” as stated by Joshua Tree Voice. Their 2025 sophomore album Eternal Sunrise (Heavy Psych Sounds) dives deeper into their dusk-to-dawn reveries, resulting in a masterful and moody exploration pushed by the gentle percussions of drummer Robert Garson. 

Gary Arce - Guitars
Pia Isaksen - Bass and vocals
Dan Joeright - Drums

Photo by SoftSun

Ten East links
Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram

SoftSun links
Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram

Ripple Music links
Website⎪Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram

Thank you very much Purple Sage PR

I am not the owner of the picture, video or original song. Therefore, all rights belong to their respective owners. If you are the owner of the picture, video or any of the songs, write me a private message located on the information page and I will delete the video, photos immediately!!

Photo by © SOFTSUN and TEN EAST promo