Interview: SOJA On A New Album And Life In A Touring Band

MicControl: What is the significance of the title of your new album 'Born In Babylon'?

Jacob Hamphill: "Born in Babylon" is supposed to tell the traditional roots story, but through our eyes, our perspective.  From the northern hemisphere, we want to address the issues that traditional reggae deals with, world issues. 

MC: I read that you love Rock and Hip-Hop, but you feel there is something missing in the message. Care to elaborate on that? 

JH: It's not really that hip hop and rock are missing something, it's more like reggae has a social commentary, a social responsibility too.  We're into that.  Bob Marley sang love songs and party songs too, but mainly he was singing about the way of the world, the good, the bad, and everything in between.  To me, that's bigger than most music. 

MC: What is the message you are trying to get across through your music? 

JH: Our message is to push people to make decisions for themselves, and not be intimidated by what the world says.  I don't really put a period on anything.  It's just a discussion, not a sermon.  Who are you voting for?  Who makes your clothes?  Where does your food come from?  Who makes your decisions?  Do you know?  No?  Because it matters.  Discuss. 

MC: What drew you to promote this through your music? Do you feel empathy for others or is there a personal conflict?

JH: Not sure how to answer that.  We all were drawn in on different levels I guess.  For me, I lived overseas in Africa as a kid, and in a couple of different economic demographics while growing up.  I think maybe after that, you start to identify with all kinds, reggae seems like pretty good music to do that. 

MC: SOJA is known for touring a lot- your current average per year is 150 shows. What makes the band so presentable at live shows?

JH: Like why don't we look like shit?  Haha yeah, we tour a lot.  But, we love it, it's not hard when everyone is friends in the band.  We've been together forever, some since high school, some since first grade.  Makes it easy.  We hear about other bands fighting over stuff, seems like what's the point?  If you don't like your band you're screwed, period. 

MC: Do you feel that at the live shows, the music is still about spreading a message? Or does the energy take over?

JH: No idea really.  For me it is about energy mostly.  But sometimes I get into what I am singing, I cry a lot when that happens.  I'm just kidding... mostly for us, it is about the energy.  I hope for the audience it is 50/50.

MC: After listening to your music, I have to say I am quite impressed with the level of musicianship on the album. Do you find that a lot of reggae artists tend to leave the musicianship behind, as to not underwhelm the message?

JH: Most reggae is simple, and that is fine.  I think the idea of reggae is you come with a catchy hook and a rough bass line.  That's great, but we got sick of doing it.  We're on our fourth album, we play for ourselves at the end of the day.  Thanks for saying that! 

MC: Where can people buy the album?

JH: It is exclusively on iTunes, you can get it on our website www.sojamusic.com - and you can come to our shows and buy a hard copy.  It's cool!