SunSquabi Releases Pandemic-Influenced Studio Album ‘Arise’

SunSquabi dropped their third studio album, Arise, yesterday. The record traces the Colorado-based livetronica trio’s experience throughout the pandemic.

SunSquabi — Kevin Donohue (guitar, keyboards, production), Josh Fairman (bass, synth) and Chris Anderson (drums) — announced the follow-up to their 2019 album Instinct in August and shared the single “Scorpion,” which followed the previously released Arise single “Elephant Song” featuring Big Gigantic’s Dominic Lalli. Two more singles, “The Hornet” and “Middle Of The Night (Panther)” with Iya Terra, arrived in September and October respectively.

The material on SunSquabi’s Arise saw the band expanding on improvisations that the trio explored in livestreams and jam sessions during the pandemic.

“A couple of songs came together as jams in the basement or on live streams,” Donahue noted. “We’d rework these improv-based ideas in the studio. It was an extended process. We definitely took advantage of the time.”

Fairman added: “We’re very proud of the band staying true to the music and to each other. We came together during the Pandemic and made sacrifices together. We’ve bonded as a band. We don’t try to jump on any trends. We’re true to ourselves and make music we feel in our hearts.”

Ultimately, SunSquabi wanted to impart a positive message during a dark time. “Since we’ve all been put down very hard for the past two years, the entire world has felt this pressure, sadness, and struggle,” Donohue said. “So we tried to relay a message of arising from the ashes and becoming something new. This album shows how we’re able to do so during a really tough time.”

Stream Arise below:

SunSquabi celebrated the release of Arise with a home state concert at Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox in Denver on Tuesday. Watch the complete performance: