SOJA | Texas Review | Ralph Arvesen
SOJA performing during the Big Big Love Tour at the ACL Live Moody Theater in Austin, Texas on July 27, 2023, with Jacob Hemphill, Bob Jefferson, Ryan "Byrd" Berty, Ken Brownell, Patrick O'Shea, Hellman Escorcia, Rafael Rodriguez, and Trevor Young. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)

"I want to speak for people who don't have microphones," Jacob Hemphill says. "Our goal as a band is to stick up for the human race. We see the world and we try to make it better in the limited time we have here."

This is the philosophy behind SOJA's music, a simple statement that has driven the D.C. area band, who blend reggae, go-go, D.C. hardcore, Latin, rock and hip-hop. Originally formed by a group of friends while still in middle school and has built a massive, dedicated fanbase around the world since.

In the years following, SOJA has sold more than 200,000 albums, headlined shows in over 20 countries around the world, generated nearly four million Facebook fans, and over 80 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. After the release of their 2012 album "Strength To Survive," the musicians started writing material for what would become their fifth full-length album, "Amid the Noise and Haste."

For Hemphill, who pens the lyrics, chords, and melody, each song starts with an experience: meeting someone, reading something, experiencing something that seems pertinent to the human condition. On this album, the songwriter is suggesting that "all of life's problems and all of life's answers are within us. We've been conditioned to accumulate, compete and break others down around ourselves, not inherent to the human condition, but rather taught. Those things can be untaught. The real us is in there, somewhere." All of this is translated into short, sweet packages of music.

The writing and recording process for "Amid the Noise and Haste" stretched out over a year and a half, mostly because the musicians kept finding new collaborators and new ideas along the way. The aim was to engage as many guest artists as possible, with each working on a song that had a legitimate connection to them.

The album was produced by Supa Dups (Bruno Mars, Eminem, Rihanna, John Legend) and recorded at Circle House Studios in Miami and Lion & Fox Studios in Washington D.C. throughout 2013. Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley appears on "Your Song," a buoyant, hopeful number that asks fans to remind the band why they got into music by singing along, while "I Believe" brings Michael Franti and Nahko together to offer thoughts on how to control your own destiny. Collie Buddz, J Boog, and Anuhea are also featured on various tracks. "We wanted to bring together people who would help demonstrate each song," Jacob says. "We wanted people who could either relate to or convey the message. The whole album is about the human race relating to itself and connecting with itself."

For SOJA, whose live show is an explosion of energy and positivity, music is a means of helping people relate in a more affirmative way. It also asks people to look inside themselves and really ask what it is they want to do with their life and how they can be happy. SOJA's music is about finding that happiness and peace we all deserve and helping others do the same, something "Amid the Noise and Haste" aptly conveys in its songs.

"I put words in my songs that I believe to be true," Jacob says. "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."
Fan reviews:

I’ve seen Soja many times, it was wonderful to hear the new incorporated sounds influenced from their trip to Brazil. It was an amazing concert. I would do it again!

This was my first time actually seeing SOJA live, though I've been following them for years. The performance was great and SOJA are a very positive with great lyrics and good roots music.

Loved every minute. Couldn’t get enough. Opening with Hirie set the vibe, all good! She should travel and open with SOJA more often. SOJA never disappoints! On our feet, dancing and jumping till I got blisters on my soles. But the music filled my soul and it was beautiful.

If you're a fan of reggae music, SOJA is one of the greatest bands to see live. They are full of energy and jam like no other. It was my first time seeing them outside of a festival and was so happy I made the journey to see them headline a smaller venue.
SOJA shared the stage with Michael Franti & Spearhead at the ACL Live Moody Theater. They continue across the United States and Mexico with the last stop at the Soulshine At Sea in Miami to Costa Maya, Mexico on November 4, 2023.

SOJA
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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