“Songs of the Rising Sun” is a celebration of original Irish music from the East Coast. It features the work of three bands – Kiruu, Sun Shakers and Solar Foam – whose members hail from Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford, and who share the common purpose of fusing joyful melodies with wildly diverse musical influences and hip-shaking grooves. All three acts have been highly active on the Irish scene for years, playing venues and festivals around the country, releasing self-funded singles, albums and videos, and collaborating with luminaries such as Ronan O’ Snodaigh, All-Ireland Poetry Slam champion John Cummins and the Dublin Gospel Choir.
While the bands share many core members among themselves, making them something of an artistic collective, their approaches are all very distinctive and the night will run the gamut from rock to funk, soul, folk, classical, electronica, choral music, gospel, hip-hop, rhumba, soukous and much more. It all adds up to a now-ecstatic, now-fierce soulful concoction brewed specially to put a smile on your face and a bounce in your step.
SOLAR FOAM (previously Mekkan Ju) play the songs of frontman, founder and pianist Justin McCann. The band’s “sky above, earth below” music consists of catchy pop/rock melodies underpinned by wall-rattling rhythms drawn from everything from rock, funk and electronica to hip-hop, Afrobeat and Congolese dance music. The sound is rounded out by Aidan Mulloy’s elegant, supple guitar and strong backing vocals, Mark Finlay’s propulsive drumming, Jack Kelly’s acrobatic bass and a range of choral voices, exotic percussion sounds and synth layers. Solar Foam has collaborated with Rhythm Africana, John Cummins (Shakalak) and the Dublin Gospel Choir, played venues from Whelan’s and the Grand Social to Workman’s and the Harbour Bar, and performed at Bluefire, Gigonometry, the Dublin Quays Festival and the Dublin Simon Music Marathon. They have a live album (Live at Tivoli Backstage) and a couple of videos (“Over the Mound” and “Know What I Am”) out, and are currently mixing their debut album, which will be played in full tonight.
SUN SHAKERS are a “psychedelic soul” band influenced by the vocal stylings of Aretha Franklin and the guitar flourishes of John Frusciante and Jeff Buckley. Powered by the songs of frontwoman Davina Brady and lead guitarist Aidan Mulloy, their music is all about heart, feeling and freedom of expression. For 10 years the band has been thrilling audiences with releases like “Back To Us”, “One Atom” and “What I’m Feeling”, drawing on genres spanning from rock through folk and funk to soul and hip-hop. Live credits include Electric Picnic 2014-18, Canalophonic 2015-17, Hard Working Class Heroes, Bare in the Woods, Forbidden Fruit with First Music Contact, and three headline shows at the Button Factory. Stay tuned for the band’s debut EP, which is currently in the mixing stages.
KIRUU is a singer/guitarist/pianist whose music combines influences from his mixed cultural background of Ireland, the Mediterranean, and East Africa. He released his album
Super Feo Expressin 2019, and the “Equinox” music video in summer 2022, and has just released his brand new single “Mbingu” (meaning “heaven” in Swahili). He plays with a band of virtuosic, groovy musicians based around Ireland, and his music is as danceable and infectious as it is eclectic. Melodic, rhythmic sounds to bring a wide grin to your face and leave it there.