What is hydro electro funk? Guitarist, songwriter and founder of the band SunSquabi, Kevin Donahue explains, “Just as water has many forms, so does our music. Like water, our music is fluid, moving with many forms. Just like water can be liquid, gas or solid, we play multiple forms of funk. Our roots come from funk and hip hop.”
Dec. 3 | 9 p.m. | $10-$13
Moe’s | Tahoe City
Blending live music with electronic music, SunSquabi has a unique sound and like their name, (which they made up and is just who they are) the band looks to push the boundaries of their music.
The band implements live music and electronics to create their sound. Formed in 2011, Donahue explains, “For a year and half I didn’t go out, I didn’t have a girlfriend I just worked and learned how to audio produce.”
“Like water, our music is fluid, moving with many forms. Just like water can be liquid, gas or solid, we play multiple forms of funk. Our roots come from funk and hip hop.”
-Kevin Donahue
The group is from Colorado where there is a lot of bluegrass, punk and Americana sound. Phish, Widespread Panic and jam bands are big there, as well, according to Donahue. SunSquabi wanted to create a different sound.
“We were inspired by Rat a Tat, Pretty Lights and Big Gigantic. Many of the funk bands have eight people or more in their band. We thought, why don’t we just write that?” says Donavan.
“We don’t want to be pigeon holed into one sound. We want to be broad and able to change and evolve from album to album,” says Donahue, who is passionate about touching others and convey feelings through sound. “To change, create and express yourself, you have to let it (the music) breathe and change.”
Donahue also understands that fans have expectations and wants to keep people happy. “There is an inclination to cater to the audience, but sometimes you need to let it go and make music because you enjoy it. We want to keep it real and the audience can tell when a band is not being real. It is important to have a strong connection with your audience and see what the music is doing for the audience,” explains Donahue.
A martial artist, Donahue is a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a brown belt in Jujitsu. Through these practices he says that he has learned respect and discipline.
“It’s important to me to respect all things. Our commonality with each other, the industry and in all things we do. It’s how we’ve learned to get around the music industry,” he says.
Connectivity is important to Donahue. As the band has grown going from playing small ventures to playing festivals and touring, Donahue muses on the scale of connectivity with people. “There is a bridge that is created. You can see it, touch it and feel it. What is being transferred from the audience to us and what we are giving back is part of that bridge. It’s love. And it is important to be conscious of that bridge. When the message is from the heart that is what’s going to come through. Music is a tool to connect and transfer energy. If you’re not fulfilled, not doing what you love, if there’s tension, then that comes through in the music.”
The band is also finishing a new, 5-track EP entitled “SunSquabi Deluxe,” which is being released soon.
“We love playing Tahoe. It will be great to throw a party people won’t forget,” says Donahue.
For information, visit facebook.com/moesoriginalbbqtahoe.
