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Event Details

Description

Age Limit: All Ages

SOJA

Cost

Payment required - 20.00 to 25.00 USD

Performers

SOJA

Over the years, the Washington, D.C. music scene has become best known for its hardcore (Minor Threat) and go-go (Trouble Funk) alumni, but as evidenced by the great Bad Brains, reggae has been represented as well. SOJA has risen to the forefront, picking up right where the Brains left off – creating their own blend of conscious roots music entwined with the traditional rhythms of reggae, it “comes across with passion and depth.” (Washington Post ’06)

That said, SOJA is not that easy to define. Although they are rooted in reggae, they are not limited to it; their fan-base reflects this with a very diverse population. The music includes and embraces all walks of life - it has no prejudice – it is for everyone. The band grew up listening to reggae, hip-hop, and rock. In their sound, reggae became the predominate influence because it is dedicated to a real message and promotes revolution.

The group, which includes a pair of lead singers who also pull double duty - Jacob Hemphill (guitar) and Bob Jefferson (bass) – as well as Patrick O’Shea on keyboard, percussionist Ken Brownell, and drummer Ryan Berty, originally came together in 1997. Since 2000, the quintet has issued three full length albums and one EP – their latest, ‘Get Wiser,’ is their third for the group’s own label, Innerloop.

Hemphill explains the meaning of the album’s title. “The new album is called ‘Get Wiser’ – that’s the idea. We as a society tend to have blinders on. We are trying to uplift peoples’ consciousness by breaking down what makes us blind. To do this, we got to bring back truth. People get wiser.”

“Every song is different of course.” Hemphill continues, “I found music to be a way to express myself - through my life I’ve never been able to express myself well in conversations, but I can do it through music. It’s like my way to talk.”

Ever the road warriors (SOJA averages 150 gigs per year), the group will be supporting their latest release with a healthy amount of live dates this year on the “Get Wiser Tour”. With such a list of accumulated live dates, a specific high point is hard to pin down, but O’Shea remembers a particular performance. “One of the shows that remains in the front of my mind was playing at the Tito Puente Amphitheater in Puerto Rico with Gomba Jahbari. It was amazing to see thousands of people, many that may not speak English, singing along to the songs.”

With SOJA calling their own shots, ‘Get Wiser’ proves that the band’s message and music will only continue to grow stronger with each successive release. In support of their latest album, “Get Wiser”, SOJA is embarking on a journey around the world. The Band

Jacob Hemphill - Lead Vocals, Guitar Bob Jefferson - Lead Vocals, Bass Ken Brownell - Percussion Ryan Berty - Drums Patrick O’Shea- Keyboards
Anuhea

Life inspires.

Anuhea (pronounced Ah-New-Hey-Ah) is a self-taught guitarist and song-writer born on the Hawaiian island of Maui. On her self-titled debut album, Anuhea weaves soul, R‘n’B, jazz and reggae with smart, personal lyricism. With seductively sophisticated pop vocals and spirited guitar accompaniment, Anuhea shares the same independent attitude of celebrated female artists like Gwen Stefani and Lily Allen.

Anuhea’s album opens with the jazzy and unapologetic track “Charismatic SOB.” Girls around the world will relate to Anuhea’s spunky challenge, calling out her crush to “climb off your pedestal” and “see that what you could’ve had.” The soulful and breezy “Right Love – Wrong Time” features parlor piano and Hammond B3, with crisp drum hits. The infectious hooks in “Right Love” show off Anuhea’s songwriting chops. And on “Fly,” she takes a look at the bright side of life, “I've been told the universe conspires to assist / In making dreams realities for those who persist / All things are for purpose they won't pass you by / Every knock you take is an opportunity to fly.”

Born into a musical family, Rylee Anuheake'alaokalokelani Jenkins (Anuhea) began showcasing her talents in coffee shops and clubs while still in high school. Her grandfather is a country guitarist, and her aunt, Nalani Choy, is part of the award winning contemporary Hawaiian music trio Na Leo Pilimehana. Anuhea has found local success opening for Brushfire Recording artists Jack Johnson and Matt Costa as well as collaborating with indie favorites Gym Class Heroes in a remake of their song “Viva La White Girl.”

It’s easy to see that Anuhea’s lyrical flow stems from her early musical influences. “When I was in elementary school I would listen to TLC, Salt n Pepa, Color Me Badd and Maxi Priest on my walk-man and memorize every word to every rap, every ad-lib, and every run,” reflects Anuhea. “Looking back, I realize that I was probably the only second grade girl at Makawao Elementary that could rap!”

An eco-conscious surfer as well as an outdoor enthusiast, Anuhea is not just another pretty face. She is a savvy entrepreneur who acted as her own manager, agent, producer and distributor before signing with One Hawaii Music. “My main goal as a music-maker is to inspire people to find their dream, whatever it may be," she says. "I just feel lucky that I've found my dream and am able to pursue it.”

She's on the positive freak flow. My conversation with Anuhea was peppered with references to inspirational speeches by Nelson Mandela and excerpts from Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. Even her MySpace blog reads like an affirmation from Chicken Soup for the Anti-Beauty-Pageant-Turned-Songwriter Chick Soul.

"I encourage you to think about your life, your goals, and realize what exactly it is that's preventing you from achieving them. It's probably yourself. And frankly, that's just dumb. That idea is the inspiration for my song 'Endlessly.' 'You trust that you won't make it, 'cause you hate to make mistakes and your life has been nothing but struggles in this silly rat race... But on and on, endlessly you try.' And keep trying, you! Keep focused on your goals and thinking positive. The power of the mind is amazing. "

This will be Anuhea’s first release on the WorldSound label. Produced by Drew K, and mastered by Grammy winner Gavin Lurssen, the album arrives April 21st, 2009.
Trevor Hall

Songwriting to me is a practice of getting out of the way," says Trevor Hall. Given his prodigious talent, no doubt the 19-year-old singer/songwriter is on to something. Trevor's new 4-song Geffen EP The Rascals Have Returned gives music fans a clear look into the musings of an artist well beyond his years. Produced by John Alagia (Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz and Liz Phair) and written entirely by Trevor, the EP masterfully weaves folk, hip-hop and reggae influences into a rootsy acoustic-centered style. On songs like "Under the Blanket" and "The Rascals Have Returned," Trevor sings smart supple lyrics often in a coiled half-whisper ("traveling bodhisattvas transform madness into opera/oh the sky is falling but there is plenty of room to breath"). Ballads like ""The Lime Tree" pulse with the heart and recklessness of youth.

On The Rascals Have Returned, singer/guitarist Trevor is joined by guest musicians like drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty) percussionist Leon Mobley (from Ben Harper's band) and bassist Sean Hurley, with producer Alagia on keyboards. The new EP comes right on the heels of Trevor's six-track live Geffen EP released last year and recorded live at the Mint and Hotel Caf in Los Angeles. That recording was Trevor's first major label release following his 2004 indie debut Lace Up Your Shoes which was also produced by John Alagia. Trevor is currently working with Alagia on his upcoming full length Geffen release.

Despite his age, Trevor is a veteran performer, having launched his career at 15. A native of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Trevor started writing at age 14, inspired by artists like Ben Harper as well as legends Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix. His development took off when he moved to the mountains east of Los Angeles to attend the Idyllwild School for the Performing Arts. "It totally transformed me," he says. "Being there opened me up to new cultures, new sounds and new possibilities."

Soon, Trevor secured management, and began playing and recording out of his new Southern California home base. Trevor spent last summer touring with Steel Pulse and has since opened for the likes of Ben Harper, Jason Mraz, G-Love and Donavon Frankenreiter. Trevor will be out on the road much of 2006, having already toured with artists like Keb Mo and The Wailers.

Trevor has also aligned himself with many charitable organizations and performed last year on Capitol Hill in Washington DC for the Arts Advocacy Council along with Bob Weir and other luminaries fighting to keep the arts in public schools. He is also an avid surfer, and recently performed at two benefit concerts for the Surfrider Foundation although with his career in full swing there's been little time for him to hit the beaches.

Having just graduated from high school, Trevor is devoting all his energies to his career. And while the accolades are already pouring in, he doesn't like to think about the whirlwind to come. "I'm just in the moment," says Trevor. "I still feel that I'm only beginning to explore the possibilities of my music. But music is everything I have and everything I can give."

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