Solar Bears

Solar Bears was an Irish electronic music duo formed by John Kowalski and Rian Trench. Meeting at Pulse Recording College in Dublin in 2009, the pair bonded over a shared love of synthesizer sounds, film scores, krautrock, and psychedelic rock, drawing stylistic influence from artists like John Carpenter, Boards of Canada, and Pink Floyd. Their cinematic approach to music quickly earned them attention; their debut album, *She Was Coloured In* (2010), released on Planet Mu, was lauded for its lush, atmospheric soundscapes blending analog and digital textures.

Over the next several years, Solar Bears developed a reputation for their imaginative and evocative compositions, consistently bridging the gap between nostalgic retro-futurism and innovative electronica. Their sophomore album, *Supermigration* (2013), featured collaborations with artists such as Beth Hirsch and Sarah P., further broadening their sonic palette and cementing their place in the electronic music community.

Their third album, *Advancement* (2016), continued to explore themes of space, technology, and the passage of time through layered synths and complex rhythms. Renowned for their immersive live performances and visual-heavy sets, Solar Bears collaborated with filmmakers and visual artists to augment their ethereal sound. The duo disbanded in 2016, leaving a lasting imprint on the Irish electronic scene and a small but devoted international following.

Their catalog remains celebrated for its cinematic fusion of organic instrumentation and electronic experimentation, reflecting a constant fascination with sound, vision, and memory.