Putting It All Together
On stage, STS9 is known for their improvisational jams. The band takes a unique approach to playing together, one that is unlike traditional jam bands: instead of relying on each member swapping solos, the band collectively moves together. "We create a lot based on our moods, on the things around us; we also sample a lot of our own shows and use that back in the studio" says Lerner. In fact, STS9's latest album, "Artifact", contains samples the band collected from places as far away as Japan on a recent world tour.During live performances, the band stays together by using custom Ultimate Ears in-ear monitors. Aside from providing the band protection from a loud stage, the monitors create harmony between the electronic samples and loops and the acoustic instruments onstage. Says Lerner, "It really helps us do our job right. I can hear things much better, without them I wouldn't have been able to work as accurately. I'm playing things like the tabla, and with the in-ears I can hear them much clearer and play more intricately. It helps us remain quiet on stage too, instead of continuously adding more volume to try to hear each other over everybody else."
The Tribe
The band is also quick to emphasize that the name "Sound Tribe" doesn't just apply to the people on stage; rather, the "Sound Tribe" is everyone involved with bringing the band's ideas to life - from musicians and artists, to the road crew and those behind the scenes at the band's independent record label, 1320 Records. Says Phipps, "Our crew is really great. They make sure that the experience is complete for us, and for the crowd."STS9 also runs STS9Music.com, a website where the band's live shows are posted within days of the performance. Professionally mixed and recorded digitally through the band's all-digital Digidesign D-Show console, shows are available in mp3 and FLAC formats for $9.99 and $12.99, respectively. Even though shows are available for purchase, the band still welcomes tapers to record their own copies of the experience. "We really like having the tapes from microphones, and that provides a different perspective of the show. But we've found that the majority of our fanbase really appreciates the accessibility and quality of the soundboard tapes we're putting out" says Lerner.
STS9 also actively supports The Conscious Alliance, a grass-roots organization out of Boulder, Colorado that focuses on fighting hunger in the poorest communities across the country through the generosity and supportive spirit of the music community. The band collects canned food at every tour stop, sometimes offering special-edition concert posters in exchange for canned good donations.
STS9 also reached a significant milestone in their eclectic career: the release of their first DVD, "Live As Time Changes"[/link], available for order at the band's official website. Recorded in the band's hometown of Atlanta over the now legendary New Year's Eve weekend 2005/2006, the DVD captures the best moments of the three-night run in stunning 5.1 surround sound. STS9's independent label has been busy, with the release of the "1320 Mixtape", which features previously unreleased compositions from STS9, new labelmates Sub-ID, and many others. The band has also been busy with scoring various projects for film and television releases throughout 2007.
With their creative use of powerful technology, the members of Sound Tribe Sector 9 work hard to achieve one common goal: to raise awareness of both the power of music, and the power of the community within.
Check out Sound Tribe Sector 9 on the web at www.sts9.com for more information on when STS9 will be coming through your town!
