STS9 with guests Jade Cicada and SunSquabi

Founded in Georgia in the late ’90s, Sound Tribe Sector 9 (later STS9) quickly refined a style of dub- influenced, breakbeat-infused psychedelic music with a heavy emphasis on group improvisation, comparable to the work of jam band peers such as the Disco Biscuits and the New Deal. The group’s debut effort, 1998’s Interplanetary Escape Vehicle, was recorded soon after their formation and thus provided only scant hints of the sound the band would develop, instead focusing on instrumental funk and jazz grooves. With the addition of percussionist Jeffree Lerner in 1999, the sound of the band — Hunter Brown (guitar/sequences), David Phipps (keyboards/synths), Zach Velmer (drums), and David Murphy (bass) — solidified into a powerfully original, highly danceable tapestry. Through constant touring, the group began to work up a large following among jam band fans. Two more releases (1999’s Live and 2000’s Offered Schematics Suggesting Peace) captured both the band’s developing sound and its increasing interest in Mayan mysticism and culture. The former accurately documented the confident tone of the band’s relentless live performances, while the latter used analog tape loops, a blend of live and studio tracks, and extensive use of guest flutist Kofi Burbridge to create a more subtle mix. With an emphasis on spirituality, equality, and the freeing of musical egos, the band eschewed solos in favor of small, repetitive parts that added together into a musical mélange at once droning and texturally deep. The group also gained renown for its festival appearances, with shows at most of the major U.S. fests, including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Coachella, New Orleans Jazz, and Outside Lands.

In 2016, STS9 released the funky The Universe Inside, inspired by Carl Sagan’s “Golden Records,” which were sent into space in the hopes of communicating with alien life. Universe’s opening track “Supercluster” included samples from the original NASA STS-9 transmission, a fitting full-circle journey for the band. “The Universe Inside is a reflection of this message. It is a story about human identity and the magical truth of who we are, where we’re going, and our place in the Universe. It says we are one, made of stardust and the forces of nature that evolved over billions of years. Connected by the sun, moon and stars, we are the living, breathing conscience of the Universe.” The LP debuted in the Top 5 of both the Billboard Dance/Electronic and Heatseekers charts, as well as the Top 40 on the Independent chart.

Jade is a material thought by the ancient Chinese to be crystallized moonlight that has fallen to earth to spread wisdom and peace. Cicadas symbolize rebirth, metamorphosis, and illumination, and with their dying breath sing with such power that their chorus of song is among the loudest in nature. Jade Cicada’s music is a reflection of these ideas, and a constant homage to those who have inspired him.

A three-piece suit named SunSquabi has been catching the eyes and ears of music fans around the world with their break out year in 2016. The band unveiled their debut EP with All Good Records, titled, “Odyssey” which featured artists GRiZ and Dominic Lalli of Big Gigantic. SunSquabi continues to break down and analyze the expectations of what a “Live-Electronic” band should be. It’s no wonder the twenty- something’s in SunSquabi have gained the national attention for their unique sound.