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Friday, August 22, 2014

SOJA's New Album "Amid the Noise and Haste" Debuts This Week In Top 20 Of Billboard Album Chart

“This band's bouncy rhythms and soulful melodies carry potent messages of social justice”  (3 1/2 out of 4 stars) – USA TODAY

"This new album will likely win friends, influence people, and make the country a better place." - ROLLING STONE

"This is a high point for the band and an easy introduction to one of richer and more rewarding acts the American reggae scene has ever offered." (4 out of 5 stars)" - ALL MUSIC GUIDE

DC-natives SOJA premiered the live performance video of their single “I Believe” featuring Michael Franti and Nahko live from Red Rocks on Conan O'Brien's Team Coco today. The track is off the band’s new album Amid The Noise And Haste which was released on August 12, 2014 via ATO Records.

Watch Team Coco performance here: http://teamcoco.com/video/fresh-noise-i-believe-by-soja-feat-michael-franti-nahko?playlist=x;eyJ0eXBlIjoidGFnIiwiaWQiOjR9.

The new album debuted at #20 on Billboard’s Top 20 Charts, #3 on iTunes Top Albums Chart, #1 album on iTunes Reggae Charts and had 4 songs in the Top 10 iTunes Reggae Charts including the #1 spot. You can order Amid The Noise And Haste now via the band's website as well as iTunes.

“It’s incredible to put everything you got into an album and have fans respond the way they are,” says lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Jacob Hemphill. “The point of the album is reconnecting people to the power inside themselves, getting them to fall back in love with life again. Look around, take a deep breath. All the answers are there.”

Amid The Noise And Haste was produced by multiple GRAMMY award winning Jamaican producer Supa Dups (Bruno Mars, Eminem, Rihanna, John Legend). It is the follow up to critically acclaimed Strength To Survive which debuted in the Billboard Top 40. Amid The Noise And Haste features special guests including Michael Franti, Damian Marley, and Collie Buddz.



SOJA originally formed by a group of friends while still in middle school and has built a massive, dedicated fan base around the world since. In the years following, SOJA has sold more than 250,000 albums, headlined shows in over 20 countries around the world, generated over 3.5 million Facebook fans, and 200+ million YouTube views. The band has toured with Dave Matthews Band, Incubus, 311 and appeared at major festivals including Bonnaroo where they attract an almost Grateful Dead-like international fan base along the way, with caravans of diehards following them from city to city.


Amid The Noise And Haste Track listing
1.   Tear It Down
2.   Your Song (feat. Damian Jr. Gong Marley)
3.   I Believe (feat. Michael Franti and Nahko)
4.   Easier (feat. Anuhea and J Boog)
5.   Shadow (feat. Trevor Young of SOJA)
6.   Once Upon A Time
7.   Promises And Pills (feat. Alfred The MC)
8.   Signature
9.   She Still Loves Me (feat. Collie Buddz)
10. Wait
11. Better
12. Treading Water
13. Lucid Dreams (feat. Nahko)

SOJA Tour Dates:
Aug 22                  Hilo, HI @ Hilo Tennis Stadium
Aug 24                  Kauai, HI @ Kilohana Plantation
Aug 29                  Maui, HI @ Maui Arts and Cultural Center        
Aug 30                  Honolulu, HI @ Waikiki Shell
Sept 7                   Arrington, VA @ Lockn Festival
Sep 24                   London, United Kingdom @ Electric Ballroom
Sep 26                   Paris, France @ Le Bataclan
Sep 27                   Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
Sep 28                   Cologne, Germany @ Live Music Hall
Sep 30                   Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ den Atelier
Oct 2                      Hamburg, Germany @ Mojo Club
Oct 3                      Berlin, Germany @ Yaam
Oct 4                      Warsaw, Poland @ Proxima
Oct 5                      Prague, Czech Republic @ Lucerna Music Bar
Oct 7                      Milan, Italy @ Tunnel Club
Oct 8                      Zurich, Switzerland @ Komplex Klub
Oct 10                   Montpellier, France @ Victoire 2
Oct 11                   Lyon, France @ Transbordeur
Oct 12                   Bordeaux, France @ Rock School Barbey
Oct 14                   Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmatazz
Oct 16                   Lisbon, Portugal @ Meo Arena
Oct 17                   Porto, Portugal @ Coliseu
Oct 18                   Madrid, Spain @ Sala But
Oct 19                   Toulouse France @ Le Bikini
Oct 21                   Dublin, Ireland @ The Academy

Thursday, August 14, 2014

BERES HAMMOND KICKS OFF HEADLINING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR IN AUGUST

Jamaica's most prolific crooner Beres Hammond is currently embarking on his 2014 North American tour throughout August. The Grammy-nominated reggae icon is headlining prestigious venues for select dates in the United States and Canada.

Known to many as the "Otis Redding of Reggae," Beres Hammond has been producing and pouring out his smoky-sweet vocals over every kind of riddim track for almost 40 years . His latest double-disc studio album One Love, One Life, released November 11, 2012 on VP Records, peaked at #1 on Billboard's Reggae Album chart and was hailed by Rolling Stone as "one of the best albums of a four-decade-long career." The first disc One Love includes his signature classic lover's rock sound, while the second disc One Life contains more of his socially-conscious, spiritually empowering tunes. Beres Hammond produced 19 of the 20 songs with co-producers Donovan Germain on "No Candle Light," Collin "Bulby" York on "In My Arms" and Michael Fletcher on "More Time."

From his early days as the lead singer of the '70s funk-reggae infused band Zap Pow, Beres has consistently produced number one hits and iconic reggae anthems still played today. He released his first studio album, Soul Reggae in 1976 spawning the number one hit "One Step Ahead" and in 1985 the dancehall breakthrough "What One Dance Can Do" off his self-titled album. In 1990, his album A Love Affair from Donovan Germain's Penthouse label raised his popularity to new heights. Cuts like "Tempted To Touch" and "Who Say" with Buju Banton are still huge in the dancehall today. During the '90s, Beres blazed a trail of modern classics for a variety of producers, from the sufferah's anthem "Putting Up A Resistance" (produced by Tappa Zukie) to lovers' laments like "Come Back Home" (produced by Richard Bell for his Star Trail label). In 2001, Beres brought us major hits like "They Gonna Talk" and "Rockaway" from his Grammy nominated album Music Is Life. VP Records then released The Ultimate Collection: Can't Stop A Man in 2003 to commemorate Hammond's career. The set was followed by 2004's Love Has No Boundaries, which features his familiar romantic ballads and mid-tempo dancehall grooves, and 2008's A Moment In Time, which includes the smash "I Feel Good." Beres' track record of hits is unprecedented in reggae, and with surefire classics like "No Candle Light" and "In My Arms" on his latest release One Love, One Life this legacy will live on.

Beres Hammond performs non-stop around the globe. In the United States, he has repeatedly sold out some of the largest and most prestigious venues including the Barclays Center, Theatre at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. In December 2012, Beres made his national U.S. television debut on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, performing alongside The Roots. He is also a star favorite among
Rihanna, Drake, Alicia Keys, Carl Thomas and Wyclef Jean.

TOUR DATES:
Aug 2 @ The Gaylord Palm's Resort in Orlando, FL
Aug 3 @ Wolf Creek Amphiteater in Atlanta, GA
Aug 6 @ Howard Theatre in Washington, DC
Aug 7 @ Howard Theatre in Washington, DC
Aug 8 @ Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, MA
Aug 9 @ Ives Concert Park in Danbury, CT
Aug 10 @ Clifton Park in Baltimore, MD
Aug 12 @ The Met in Pawtucket, RI
Aug 13 @ Toad's Place in New Haven, CT
Aug 15 @ Hilton-Lac Leamy Casino in Hull Quebec (Ottawa), Canada
Aug 16 @ The Sound Academy in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aug 17 @ The Sound Academy
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aug 19 @ The Shrine in Chicago, IL
Aug 20 @ Bluestone in Columbus, OH
Aug 22 @ Best Buy Theater in New York, NY
Aug 23 @ NJ PAC in Newark, NJ
Aug 24 @ Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA
Aug 26 @ Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC
Aug 27 @ Norva in Norfolk, VA
Aug 29 @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in Ponte Vedra, FL
Aug 30 @ Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, FL

CRITICAL PRAISE ON BERES HAMMOND'S ALBUM ONE LOVE ONE LIFE

"one of the best albums of a four-decade-long career."
- ROLLING STONE

"...steady grooves and some bonafide classics...adds another jewel in
his crown."
- ASSOCIATED PRESS

"...two relaxed, thoughtful helpings of Hammond side-by-side."
- BBC

"A brilliant storyteller...Beres' signature gut-wrenching passion
summoned the soul of Otis Redding, the sensuality of Teddy Pendergrass
and sweetness of Sam Cooke..."
-BILLBOARD

Chosen as Large Up's #1 Best Caribbean Album of 2012 -"flawless...one
of the most powerful statements"
- OKAYPLAYER