The String Cheese Incident, SunSquabi Release New Collaborative Track, "Top Down" [Listen]

The String Cheese Incident have officially released their first new music of 2020, “Top Down”, a collaboration with the electronic-funk trio, SunSquabi. “Top Down” premiered earlier this week and arrived as a funky explosion of electronica.

Clocking in at just over six minutes, “Top Down” carries a steady groove, with percussion tracks laid down by SCI’s Jason Hann and a mix of acoustic and midi drums from Squabi’s Chris Anderson. SunSquabi’s Josh Fairman and Kevin Donohue wrote the main riff and framework before String Cheese’s Kyle Hollingsworth added organ, a Rhodes, and multiple layers of synthesizers, taking the track to new heights. Finally, the addition of some blazing hot licks from Michael Kang put a bow on the collaborative track.

In a press release, Donohue noted, “Collaborating so closely with a band that we all grew up listening to and watching in Boulder, Colorado, was an absolute dream come true and we are so proud of how it turned out.”

Hollingsworth added his excitement about the track: “This was a blast, working with Kevin was so easy and organic. He set up a great groove and I just played some melodies and solos on keys and a voice box, and he compiled an awesome track! So much fun, let’s do it again!”

Additionally, the track arrived with a trippy visualizer inspired by Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, the 1998 film based on Hunter S. Thompsons 1971 book of the same name. Listen to “Top Down” below and cross your fingers for more collaborations in the future.

The String Cheese Incident & SunSquabi – “Top Down”

[Video: The String Cheese Incident]

Both bands have adapted to the new reality of social distancing quite well. While SCI has been busy pulling together socially-distant Bob Marley covers for first responders, SunSquabi has announced the Top Down Tour, set to take place during summer 2020. For more information on The String Cheese Incident or SunSquabi, head to their respective websites, here and here.

Jason Hann and SunSquabi will also be taking part in Live For Live Music’ Quarantine Comes Alive, a virtual music festival, on Saturday, May 30th. All proceeds from the donation-based event will be split between the participating artists and the comprehensive PLUS1 COVID-19 Relief Fund. Working directly with leading non-profit organizations like Sweet Relief, MusiCares, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, World Central Kitchen, Partners In Health, Trans Lifeline, and Backline, the PLUS1 COVID-19 Relief Fund’s goal is to provide aid where it’s needed most. For more information or to donate/RSVP today, head here.