Even at music festival, with tunes coming at you from every side, it would be hard for a band like The Hip Abduction not to stand out. Their appreciation for West African and early Jamaican reggae/dub music brought them together and their love of travel has instilled a vibe that makes it impossible not to smile when you hear their music. Joe Johnson was able to talk with them about their 2019 tour and about what is next for these 5 piece out of St Petersburg, FL.
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Sometimes inspiration strikes from the immersion of living in a far away place. The view of the ocean. The sound of a rainforest at sunrise. The smell of an open-air market. The embrace of the wild human experience. However, maybe the nostalgia for a certain place might be attributed instead to a feeling, or a time, or even a person. Sometimes, inspiration stems from a place that everyone can relate to, but maybe no one’s actually been. This is the music of The Hip Abduction, the vibrant St. Petersburg, FL-based collective that formed over a mutual appreciation for West African and early Jamaican reggae/dub music.
The Hip Abduction (THA) began through informal jam sessions and quickly coalesced into a sound that attracted national attention. For “Gold Under the Glow”, the band’s third full album released on March 11, 2016, THA engage an indie pop acumen alongside a highly emotive and roots driven sound. Recorded in Nashville, Gold Under the Glow was produced by Dabney Morris (Wild Cub) who is credited with incorporating synth-pop teeth into the band’s global foundation and summery vibe. It’s a smart blending of world pop and club aesthetics that appeals to both audiences. The Hip Abduction featuring David New (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Powers (bass), Dave Johnson (baritone, tenor sax), Cody Moore (keyboards, sax), Matt Poynter (drums, vocals) and Justino Walker (guitar, vocals, sitar) have shared stages with the likes of have shared stages with the likes of The Revivalists, Ziggy Marley, Umphrey’s McGee, Grace Potter, Slightly Stoopid, Thievery Corporation, Matisyahu, 311, Galactic, and Moon Taxi and has performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater, Cali Roots, Shaky Knees, Sweetwater 420, FloydFest, Wanee Music Festival, Suwannee Hulaween, Deep Roots Mountain Revival, Sunfest, and more.