“The Spark”, an earworm by a group of talented children from Ireland, has been declared the summer anthem, attracting millions with its virality. The hard-hitting drum’n’bass rhythm combined with the contagious zeal of the song has gathered 8.6 million views since its release on May 15th.
“The children’s vibrant energy and positivity is the heart of the song and it has inspired many. The song is truly irresistible,” voiced the song’s producer, Garry McCarthy. The project was organised on a tight budget by Rhyme Island, a youth rap endeavour located at Kabin Studio, a not-for-profit in Knocknaheeny, a suburb in Cork. The workshop collaborated with Creative Ireland, a state-owned initiative that financially supports Cruinniú na nÓg, the annual festival of young talents.
Involving about 30 children from a local neighbourhood, aged between nine and twelve, along with a group from a refugee-hosting site in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, the song lights up with their lively performances. The track serves as a stirring anthem for the Cruinniú na nÓg or Gathering of Youth, an initiative that conducts free of charge art events in Ireland, started in 2018 and is geared up to celebrate on June 15th this year.
The video went viral once RTÉ, the national broadcaster, published it. US’s National Public Radio declared, “Music lovers, we have a new catchy song for you,” while Irish Central, an American news platform, claimed it’s set to be the “summer anthem.”
The inception of the song dates back to March during one of the weekly workshops at Kabin Studio. “We aimed for something jubilant and settled with a drum’n’bass track. We fashioned the beat and began forming the chant and chorus,” McCarthy, creative director and artist known as GMC, said.
The song’s first verse and chorus were initially crafted by a group of children during an Easter camp. Afterwards, instructors brought the song to a direct provision centre for refugees in Lisdoonvarna. There, other youths participated in finalising the song, according to McCarthy. The video was subsequently filmed by both groups working together. The locations include Kabin Studio, aboard a 202 bus, and in downtown Cork. Seán Downey, an instructor who goes by SwanIGuess, managed the video’s recording and editing process.
McCarthy highlighted the rapid pace of their creations, with new songs being made every week. This specific song just happened to gain a bit more traction, he shared. McCarthy emphasised that the project was not created with the aim of profit. Should any profit be made, they intend to funnel it back to support Kabin Studio and the children in direct provision.