American folk trio, Rainbow Girls, will perform at Monroe’s Live Backstage venue on Friday, September 5, with doors opening at 7pm.
The northern California-based group, made up of Erin Chapin, Caitlin Gowdey, and Vanessa Wilbourn, are known for their heady mix of folk, Americana, indie, rock'n'roll, and a cappella harmonies.
Formed in 2010 at an underground open mic night in Isla Vista, near Santa Barbara, Rainbow Girls quickly embraced a grassroots approach to music and are described as a gang of sweet angels punching you in the heart.
In their early years, they spent summers busking across Europe, couch-surfing, and releasing home-recorded demos before returning to California, where they began playing local venues, farmers' markets, and festivals.
Their debut album, The Sound of Light, was crowdfunded and released in 2013, followed by Perceptronium in 2015. A shift to a more acoustic folk sound came with American Dream in 2017, and a viral video performance of Down Home Girl in 2018 brought them wider international attention.
As a trio, Rainbow Girls have flourished. Their 2024 release, Welcome to Whatever spans multiple genres and themes but carries the group’s trademark tenacity, joy, and tight-knit harmony.
The album was nominated for Folk Alliance International’s Album of the Year, further cementing their standing in the folk scene. Each member of the group brings a distinct musical path and set of influences.
Vanessa Wilbourn’s early years in choir and later rediscovery of music in college shaped her soulful style, rooted in folk and blues. Caitlin Gowdey grew up surrounded by music, from her father’s guitar playing to her own fascination with Green Day, classic rock, and even her grandfather’s old accordion. Erin Chapin’s turning point came in college, when she decided to devote herself to music wholeheartedly, drawing on influences ranging from Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Nina Simone to Joni Mitchell and The Beatles.
Rainbow Girls have a strong connection to their European audiences thanks to years of busking and touring abroad.
They remain committed to music that reflects both personal experience and wider social themes, approaching songwriting collaboratively while maintaining their individuality as writers.
Don’t miss the spirit of the Rainbow Girls on Friday, September 5, from 7:30pm at Monroe’s Live Backstage venue. Tickets cost €22.50 and are available from www.monroes.ie
