Ray of Sunshine

Their music is all about love and violence; after all,theyre an American rock and roll band. With a slight twist the love is for the planet,and the lyrics are about the harms being inflicted on it.

The worlds only solarpowered music band sings for the planet

Their music is all about love and violence; after all,theyre an American rock and roll band. With a slight twist the love is for the planet,and the lyrics are about the harms being inflicted on it. Solar Punch,considered the only solar-powered music band in the world,doesnt just talk green all their instruments are powered by solar energy and their cars use green fuel. Now,the four-member group from New York brings its upbeat,environmental-themed rock and roll to the Capital as part of the Climate Solutions Road Tour.

Plastic,its getting very drastic,plastic,its not so fantastic,plastic,its for eternity, croons James Dean Conklin,43,one of the founders of the group. Solar Punch is proof that each individual can be a solution to climate change. Our band uses simple solar technology to power our guitars,drum kits and other instruments. We need to be extra diligent to keep the batteries charged,but theres never been a problem. Their travel gear comprises four solar panels,amplifiers and extra solar batteries for cloudy days. As fellow guitarist-vocalist TH Culhane tells an excited crowd,Let the sun shine on the solar panels,or the music will die.

The group was founded in the autumn of 2007,when Conklin and his friend Alan Bigelow realized after a tour of Morocco that music was a great way to get across the message about the environment and our future. Ever since,theyve played in schools,senior centres and market spaces in the US. Though they perform at small gathering in the US,their music is fast picking up as fans spread the word about environment activism. The line-up often changes but every member is an environmentalist. On the India tour,organised by the American Centre,which started in Chennai on January 2,Conklin is joined by drummer Frank Marino who is pleased as punch to be in India and Harvard Krocadillo Paul Lincoln,besides Culhane.

For Conklin,the lyrics come easily,Stare at the sunset or look at a tree and you feel the vast presence of Nature, he says. On of his favourite songs,Spinning Around,talks about how its never too late to change. The years of experience has made each member a natural performer so that each gig is intimate and involves a high level of audience involvement says Conklin. Apart from original scores,the groups covers include All Blues by Miles Davis,Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon,the Beatles Here Comes the Sun and Here Comes Sunshine by the Grateful Dead. Theres also Ghanan Ghanan by Javed Akhtar. Before we left New York,we learnt several Bollywood songs,the most popular being Yun hi chala chal from Swades, says Conklin,Shah Rukh Khans latest fan. Every show is high-energy and ends the way the planet should not with audiences jumping up from their seats to dance to the beats.

Solar Punch will perform at the India Habitat Centre on February 5.
Time:7 pm. Contact: 011-24682001

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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Ray of Sunshine

Their music is all about love and violence; after all,theyre an American rock and roll band. With a slight twist  the love is for the planet,and the lyrics are about the harms being inflicted on it.

Their music is all about love and violence; after all,theyre an American rock and roll band. With a slight twist the love is for the planet,and the lyrics are about the harms being inflicted on it.