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This is an archive article published on January 20, 2009

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From U2 front-man Bono’s support of AIDS awareness to Coldplay giving a boost to fair trade...

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Solar Punch plays music to raise environmental awareness

From U2 front-man Bono’s support of AIDS awareness to Coldplay giving a boost to fair trade,musicians all over the world have used the power of their art to raise awareness about a variety of causes that affect us all. But American Band,Solar Punch,does it a tad differently — the band uses only solar energy to power its equipment while performing.

Armed with solar power equipment,electric cars,one automobile powered by bio-diesel and a large solar panel,the band is here in India as part of the Climate Solutions Road Tour,which kicked off in Chennai earlier this month. They will perform today at the Bandra Amphitheatre as part of the Mumbai Festival and together with the Indian Youth Climate Network,will raise awareness about alternate energy.

“Ever since we came to India,we haven’t needed to plug into the electricity grid at all,” declares James Dean Conklin,guitarist,proudly. “All of our equipment is solar powered. This India tour is absolutely a part of what we’ve been doing for quite sometime.” They’ve met many environmental groups while here,says Conklin. Solar Punch came into existence when Conklin and his friend and fellow guitarist Alan Bigelow got together to create music using environmentally sound methods. “But we realised we needed more people to create a bigger sound and that’s when we roped in Andrew Mattina (bassist) and Frank Marino (drummer).”

“We’re hoping to collaborate with Indian artistes for our 2009 record; since we’ll be in Goa tomorrow,we have an opportunity to work with Remo.” Solar Punch has also managed to sing a few Bollywood numbers in Hindi. “We’ve done a good job with Yunhi Chala from Swades,” he says. It doesn’t escape one that the song was one where Shah Rukh Khan is driving a caravan powered by solar energy.

Pooja Pillai
Pooja Pillai
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Pooja Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, working with the National Editorial and Opinion section. Her work frequently explores the intersection of society, culture and technology. Editorial Focus & Expertise Pooja’s writing spans several key domains, often blending analytical commentary with cultural critique. Art & Culture: She writes extensively on cinema, books, and the evolving landscape of arts and entertainment. Technology & Society: Her work examines the human impact of the gig economy, the rise of AI in creative fields, and the cultural shifts driven by digital platforms. Food & Lifestyle: She often uses food as a lens to explore history and politics, covering everything from the origins of pantry essentials to the impact of nutrition policy. Politics: She closely tracks political developments in South and West India and provides commentary on international political transitions, including the shifting landscape of American politics. Multimedia & Podcasting Pooja is a prominent voice in the Indian Express’s digital ecosystem. She is the host of 'DeshKaal with Yogendra Yadav', weekly video podcast where she facilitates deep-dive conversations on Indian democracy, social movements, and current political affairs. Notable Recent Works Cinema & Identity: “SRK@60: Why Shah Rukh Khan is Bollywood's last, and only, superstar” – an analysis of stardom and the changing face of Indian identity Global Politics: Commentary on the Trump administration’s misguided “war on woke culture” via typography and analysis of the visual semiotics of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attire during successive visits to the White House. Art & AI: “An unequal music: AI is lowering barriers at the cost of music itself” – a critique of how technology is redefining artistic value. Professional Presence Pooja is active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, where she shares her latest columns and editorial insights. Her full archive and latest updates can be found on her Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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