Solar Sounds is redefining Philly’s electronic scene with its inclusive events and is key to the resurgence of a thriving underground in the City of Brotherly Love.
Philadelphia has long been known as a cultural hub of the East Coast. Predominantly known for its involvement in the DIY music movement, Philly has served as a haven for creatives and music lovers alike. While the strong presence of diverse electronic music events has waned over the years, a handful of collectives have helped push the underground scene forward by producing high-quality, community-focused events.
One of the collectives responsible for revitalizing Philly’s thriving underground is Solar Sounds. Founded by Sara Golden, Riva Inocencio, and Bianca Terán, the queer, woman of color-led organization focuses on creating unifying, genre-fluid events. While Riva and Bianca had already been exploring electronic music together since 2015, a chance meeting with Sara in Pittsburgh in 2019 proved to be destined. What began as a conversation in a bathroom spiraled into a lifelong friendship and partnership as the trio moved to Philly together in the summer of 2020.
After relocating to the City of Brotherly Love, they quickly dove into the music scene. “As we continued to navigate Philly, we saw that there was room for more representation in the music scene. So with that in mind, between Sara’s 10+ years of experience in events, Bianca and I’s growing love for DJing, and all of our diverse music and event interests, we got to work,” exclaimed Riva.
Insert the birth of Solar Sounds. The triple threat began to grow a community, fostering self-expression and diversity while creating a safe space for all who venture to their dancefloor. “Solar Sounds is just one piece of the Philly scene. We try to hold it down as a space where people can feel safe, seen, welcome, and free to explore a full spectrum of sound,” remarked Sara.
Holding to their goal of producing genre-spanning events, Solar Sounds began to book artists representing various cross-sections of electronic music, including local acts Electric Honey, Firestone, and the brand’s very own Riva + Bianca. Producing shows at intimate venues across the city, their movement began to catch on like wildfire.
As the community grew, bookings swapped from local talent to also securing notable touring artists from varied backgrounds, such as HoneyLuv, Gene Farris, and DC-based trans DJ Baby Weight. “The best dance music has come from those who turned resistance into rhythm. EDM (or whatever you want to call it) wouldn’t exist without the oppression and marginalization of the queer and black community, especially after disco demolition. So for us, it’s not just about “including” queer and BIPOC artists – this is their house, we’re just making sure the lights stay on,” said Bianca.
Flash forward to today, Solar Sounds has become an integral part of the electronic music landscape in Philadelphia and beyond. The group has gone on to execute the biggest renegade stage at Elements Music & Arts Festival for the past three, soon to be four, years. Gathering hundreds of music lovers for group activities during the day and stellar entertainment at night (including appearances from John Summit and Girl Math), Solar Sounds has become a staple at the festival.
While they continue to grow their reach beyond Philadelphia’s small clubs and warehouses, the co-founders’ goals and beliefs remain unwavering. “As Solar Sounds grows, we stay rooted in our mission: celebrating eclectic sounds and building an inclusive, genre-fluid community. We’re committed to platforming underrepresented voices, supporting grassroots talent, highlighting inspiring artists, and encouraging freedom of expression,” stated Bianca. “Visibility and representation matter—it’s how we continue to break barriers and try to push for an inclusive music culture.”
Emphasizing the empowerment of local artists, Solar Sounds continues to utilize its platform to provide opportunities for local artists. Offering open deck sessions and curating lineups for events at The Barbary, Warehouse on Watts, and more, their team actively supports the growth of their peers. “We believe the only way to truly uplift this city is by building together,” said Sara. “Philly has always had its own rhythm —and we’re here to amplify it in our community.”
We started out just wanting to carve out space for ourselves in an industry that didn’t always feel built for us. Seeing that grow into a ripple effect – where others feel inspired to connect with one another, explore new music, start their own events, or just take up space unapologetically – is something we feel very proud of.
Riva
In their time as a collective, Solar Sounds has become a safe haven to many. Offering a beacon of light in a cis-male-dominated industry, the group has served as a home for those who aspire to build relationships and grow alongside like-minded individuals. Creating a judgment-free space with no genre limitations, the women of Solar Sounds have successfully created a passionate fan base while driving the evolution of Philly’s independent landscape, one event at a time.
Solar Sounds is hitting the high seas on June 28! Tickets for their yacht party, featuring the sounds of Tromac, are on sale now. Secure your spot today by visiting Resident Advisor.
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