Interview: SOJA On A New Album And Life In A Touring Band Monday, October 12, 2009 - 3:56

SOJA, an up-and-coming reggae band out of Washington D.C., recently released a new album entitled Born In Babylon, which was reviewed here last week. Although SOJA is currently on an international tour, Jacob Hemphill (lead vocals/ guitar) took some time out to do an interview with me:


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.
SOJA to bring reggae culture to The Green Elephant in Dallas Friday, October 09, 2009 - 9:11

Dallas isnt a place usually associated with reggae music or reggae culture. Hippies dont roam the streets, independent vendors lining popular squares are nonexistent, and there are no big fields in which music lovers can congregate. However, Tuesday, October 13 will be a landmark day for the reggae scene in Dallas. Washington D.C.-based band SOJA is coming to The Green Elephant with Columbian trio Movement Vibe and local reggae innovators Ugly Lion to play their first show ever in the great Lone Star State.

Soldiers of Jah Army, SOJA for short, began when middle school friends Jacob Hemphill (vocals and guitar) and Bob Jefferson (bass) met Patrick OShea (keyboards), Ryan Berty (drums), and Ken Brownell (percussion). They all had one thing in common: a growing passion for peace and reggae music.

As a band birthed in the new millennium, SOJA produced three full length albums, two EPs,