SOJA Album debuts in Billboard Top 20

You may not know but SOJA has a special connection with MIDNIGHT RAVER. Not only do they hail from Arlington, VA but it was our good friend and recording engineer Jim Fox who first recorded their demo tape and went on to record several of their albums right here at Lion and Fox Studios. I interviewed and wrote about SOJA for LION AND FOX: MAKING REGGAE HISTORY IN THE HEART OF BABYLON.

Also, MIDNIGHT RAVER’S own musicologist, reggae historian, and internationally-known broadcaster Dermot Hussey was the first to bring them on the air at XM Radio’s THE JOINT. He was a big supporter of the band from early on, playing their music on-air and even inviting them in to perform a live show. Hussey also introduced the band at several local events, including their live performance at the STATE THEATER in Falls Church, VA in 2006, which was recorded and released on the GET WISER DVD. Our good friend JUNIOR MARVIN performs with the band when they are in town and has been featured on one of their albums.

So we at MIDNIGHT RAVER congratulate SOJA for breaking the BILLBOARD Top Twenty – an astounding accomplishment for a roots reggae band.

SOJA Premieres Live Performance Video Of
“I Believe” Featuring Michael Franti And Nahko
LIVE From Red Rocks On Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco

New Album Debuts This Week In Top 20 Of Billboard Album Chart

“This band’s bouncy rhythms and soulful melodies carry potent messages of social justice” (3 1/2 out of 4 stars) – USA TODAY

“This new album will likely win friends, influence people, and make the country a better place.” – ROLLING STONE

“This is a high point for the band and an easy introduction to one of richer and more rewarding acts the American reggae scene has ever offered.” (4 out of 5 stars)” – ALL MUSIC GUIDE

DC-natives SOJA premiered the live performance video of their single “I Believe” featuring Michael Franti and Nahko live from Red Rocks on Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco today, PRESS HERE to watch. The track is off the band’s new album Amid The Noise And Haste which was released on August 12, 2014 via ATO Records.

The new album debuted at #20 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart, #3 on iTunes Top Albums Chart, #1 album on iTunes Reggae Charts and had 4 songs in the Top 10 iTunes Reggae Charts including the #1 spot.

“It’s incredible to put everything you got into an album and have fans respond the way they are,” says lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Jacob Hemphill. “The point of the album is reconnecting people to the power inside themselves, getting them to fall back in love with life again. Look around, take a deep breath. All the answers are there.”

Amid The Noise And Haste was produced by multiple GRAMMY award winning Jamaican producer Supa Dups (Bruno Mars, Eminem, Rihanna, John Legend). It is the follow up to critically acclaimed Strength To Survive which debuted in the Billboard Top 40. Amid The Noise And Haste features special guests including Michael Franti, Damian Marley, and Collie Buddz.

SOJA originally formed by a group of friends while still in middle school and has built a massive, dedicated fan base around the world since. In the years following, SOJA has sold more than 250,000 albums, headlined shows in over 20 countries around the world, generated over 3.5 million Facebook fans, and 200+ million YouTube views. The band has toured with Dave Matthews Band, Incubus, 311 and appeared at major festivals including Bonnaroo where they attract an almost Grateful Dead-like international fan base along the way, with caravans of diehards following them from city to city.

For more information on SOJA and the upcoming tour, visit http://sojamusic.com.

Amid The Noise And Haste Track listing

1.   Tear It Down
2.   Your Song (feat. Damian Jr. Gong Marley)
3.   I Believe (feat. Michael Franti and Nahko)
4.   Easier (feat. Anuhea and J Boog)
5.   Shadow (feat. Trevor Young of SOJA)
6.   Once Upon A Time
7.   Promises And Pills (feat. Alfred The MC)
8.   Signature
9.   She Still Loves Me (feat. Collie Buddz)
10. Wait
11. Better
12. Treading Water
13. Lucid Dreams (feat. Nahko)

SOJA Tour Dates:

Aug 22                  Hilo, HI @ Hilo Tennis Stadium
Aug 24                  Kauai, HI @ Kilohana Plantation
Aug 29                  Maui, HI @ Maui Arts and Cultural Center
Aug 30                  Honolulu, HI @ Waikiki Shell
Sept 7                   Arrington, VA @ Lockn Festival
Sep 24                   London, United Kingdom @ Electric Ballroom
Sep 26                   Paris, France @ Le Bataclan
Sep 27                   Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
Sep 28                   Cologne, Germany @ Live Music Hall
Sep 30                   Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ den Atelier
Oct 2                      Hamburg, Germany @ Mojo Club
Oct 3                      Berlin, Germany @ Yaam
Oct 4                      Warsaw, Poland @ Proxima
Oct 5                      Prague, Czech Republic @ Lucerna Music Bar
Oct 7                      Milan, Italy @ Tunnel Club
Oct 8                      Zurich, Switzerland @ Komplex Klub
Oct 10                   Montpellier, France @ Victoire 2
Oct 11                   Lyon, France @ Transbordeur
Oct 12                   Bordeaux, France @ Rock School Barbey
Oct 14                   Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmatazz
Oct 16                   Lisbon, Portugal @ Meo Arena
Oct 17                   Porto, Portugal @ Coliseu
Oct 18                   Madrid, Spain @ Sala But
Oct 19                   Toulouse France @ Le Bikini
Oct 21                   Dublin, Ireland @ The Academy