As a collective of musicians and artists, STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) creates and expresses a musical style that is unique unto itself. STS9 have taken their passion for playing live instruments and married it to a love for intricate composition and sound exploration. STS9 have as much of an affection for samplers and computers as they do pianos, drums, bass, and guitars. The music blends layered sonic landscapes, developed melodic movements, and deep groove sensibilities.
The music is simultaneously progressive and retrospective. It draws from the core creative values of the jazz greats and the funk-soul innovators while utilizing modern advancements in music production, basically just getting wicked with whatever they can make a sound with. In speaking of his interaction with the band during performances earlier this year, Perry Farrell stated that STS9 "speaks in the future tense."
A loyal and musically open-minded fan base around the world has helped STS9 become one of the few groups to find success as independent, instrumental artists. Embracing a near-constant touring schedule, including performances at Japan's Fuji Rock Festival, Coachella, Bonnaroo, Red Rocks, and Austin City Limits, STS9 has carved a niche of their own in a crowded industry. Through the music, the band covers a wide spectrum of styles and influences.
Sharing the stage and performing with such acts as James Brown, Perry Farrell, Tortoise, LTJ Bukem, Telefon Tel Aviv, Ming & FS, the Roots, Blackalicious, and Ozomatli, STS9 are best fit to stay unbound from musical labels, genres, or stereotypes, and choose, instead, to release and perform music that is inspiring to them as artists. To date, STS9 have released three studio albums and two live albums, all currently on their own 1320 label.
With their new album, ARTiFACT, an ode to preservation and change, STS9 chose to take a complete hands-on approach, producing and arranging all of the material themselves. Focusing on production via sampled recordings of their own studio sessions, including guest musicians, vocalists, and field recordings, the album-making process utilized an innovative progression of developmental "passes." Some of the integral textures were created via traditional theme and variation approach, though the process was not simply confined to melodic composition. Rather, techniques, melodies, and movements were wrought from an openness to the possibilities that were felt in the moment.
STS9 have defined a songwriting style that approaches composition through sound sculpture. Through this process, they have found a welcomed balance and structure to complement their unique approach to live performance and improvisation.
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