Ride the Reggae with SOJA

by Maesyn

Reggae music is the soundtrack of island life.

Whether bumping on your speakers or not, you’ll be hard pressed to find a stoplight in Maui that doesn’t sound like an outdoor Rastafarian concert.

With its uplifting upbeat, and its cheer-inducing boppy rhythms, Reggae music soothes the spirit, and induces the phrase “Pura Vida!”

This Saturday, January 22nd at 7pm, SOJA (one of the reggae world’s top touring bands) will bring their positive vibes to the MACC’s outdoor theater.

With songs that are intelligently structured with musicality and creativity, the songwriting explore the roots of reggae from the perspective of young modern Americans. The music uses lyric storytelling to weave an experience that is both educational, inspirational, and fun to groove to!

SOJA is stopping through Maui following their South American tour, where they were greeted be stadiums full of roaring fans.

Hailing from Washington DC, the dreadlocked group have been helping crowds experience the good vibes that we Mauians always get to swim in, all around the country. The island welcomes them as ambassadors of the upbeat.

Known for their free flowing rhythms and sonic cloud of good vibes, SOJA’s members have been making music together as friends since childhood.

The lineup features Jacob Hemphill (vocals, guitar), Bobby Jefferson (bass), Ken Brownell (percussion), Ryan Berty (drums) and Patrick O’Shea (keyboards).

SOJA’s third album, Born in Babylon, attracted a worldwide following, and catapulted them into the limelight. They have since shared stages with artists like Citizen Cope, Matisyahu, Ben Harper, Slightly Stoopid, Damian Marley and Steel Pulse.

Check out the promo video for their tour here or their website for more information.

Tickets are $25 & $55 premium, and are available at the box office. You can also buy them online at the MACC website.

* If you’d like to suggest an event or artist for Maui Now to profile in the Arts & Entertainment section, please email [email protected]