In support of their second full-length album , “Get Wiser”, SOJA is embarking on a journey around the world. Their pure roots reggae will pulse within Hawaii, California, Oregon, Guam and all over the east coast for the next few months, spreading “equal parts (of) blazing fire and healing water, full of locked in riddims and quietly powerful vocals” (The Beat, Feb 05). Not only will you find them in your favorite local club – SOJA’s playing the big summer festivals as well – check them out at Reggae on the River & the All Good Festival!

Go to www.sojamusic.com for more details!

Get Wiser 2006 Tour Dates:

Thur, May 4 – Pipeline Café – 805 Pokukaina Honolulu, HI
Fri, May 5 – Club Bliss – 327 Keawe St., Kaka’ako , HI – SECRET SHOW!
Sat, May 6 – Uncle Mikey’s – 400 Hualani St # 22 Hilo, HI
Sun, May 7 – VFW’s (Veterans of Foreign Wars Bldg) – 2502 Uluniu Rd. Kihei, HI
Tues, May 9 – Casanova’s – 1188 Makawao Ave Makawao, HI

Thur, May 11 – Winston’s – 1921 Bacon Street San Diego, CA
Fri, May 12 – Longshot Saloon – 843 Grand Ave San Marcos, CA
Sat, May 13 – The Roxy – 9009 W. Sunset Blvd. W. Hollywood, CA
Sun, May 14 – The Blue Café – 210 Promenade Long Beach, CA
Thur, May 18 – The Drink – W. 281 W Main St Ventura, CA

Fri, May 19 – Downtown Brewing Co. – 1119 Garden St San Luis Obispo, CA
Sun, May 21 – Moe’s Alley – 1535 Commercial Way Santa Cruz, CA
Mon, May 22 – Club Dread @ Studio Z 314 11th St San Francisco, CA
Wed, May 24 – Ukiah Brewing Co 102 S. State St Ukiah, CA
Fri, May 26 – Domino Room – 51 NW Greenwood Ave Bend, OR
Sat, May 27 – WOW Hall – 291 W. 8th Ave Eugene, OR
Tues, May 30 – Lola’s Room – (Below Crystal Ballroom) – 1332 W. Burnside Portland, OR

Fri, June 3 – Island Sessions – More info TBA Soon – Guam

Fri, June 16 – Grape Street – 4100 Main Street Philadelphia, PA
Sat, June 17 – Lion’s Den – 214 Sullivan St. New York, NY
Sun, June 18 – Fager’s Island – 201 60th Street on the Bay Ocean City, MD
Sat, June 24 – Starscape Music & Arts Festival @ Sonar – 407 E. Saratoga St. Baltimore, MD
Fri, June 30 – State Theater – 220 N. Washington Falls Church, VA

Fri, July 14 – 10th Annual All Good Festival – Marvin’s MountainTop Mason Town, WV
w/ The Black Crowes, Ween, Les Claypool, The Wailers, Galactic, The Greyboy Allstars, The Disco Biscuits, Umphrey’s Mcghee, and many more…

Fri, July 21 – Alley Katz – 10 Walnut Alley Richmond, VA
Sat, July 22 – The Jewish Mother – 31st and Pacific Ave. Virginia Beach, VA
Sun, July 23 – The Pit – 1209 S. Croatan Highway- Milepost 9 Kill Devil Hills, NC
Mon, July 24 – Dr. Unk’s – Monteray Plaza – 803 Albacore St Corrolla, NC

Sun, August 6 – Reggae on the River – Dimmick Ranch Humboldt County, Piercy, CA
w/ Ziggy Marley, Sinead O’Connor, Sly & Robbie, Sizzla, Warrior King, Sean Paul, Anthony B, Don Carlos, Barrington Levy, Gyptian, Sanchez, Dezarie, Ozomatli, Salif Keita, K-Naan, Ikahba, and many more…
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Over the years, the Washington, D.C. music scene has become best known for its hardcore (Minor Threat) and go-go (Trouble Funk) alumni, but as evidenced by the great Bad Brains, reggae has been represented as well. SOJA has risen to the forefront, picking up right where the Brains left off – creating their own blend of conscious roots music entwined with the traditional rhythms of reggae, it “comes across with passion and depth.” (Washington Post ’06)

That said, SOJA is not that easy to define. Although they are rooted in reggae, they are not limited to it; their fan-base reflects this with a very diverse population. The music includes and embraces all walks of life – it has no prejudice – it is for everyone. The band grew up listening to reggae, hip-hop, and rock. In their sound, reggae became the predominate influence because it is dedicated to a real message and promotes revolution.

The group, which includes a pair of lead singers who also pull double duty – Jacob Hemphill (guitar) and Bob Jefferson (bass) – as well as Patrick O’Shea on keyboard, percussionist Ken Brownell, and drummer Ryan Berty, originally came together in 1997. Since 2000, the quintet has issued three full length albums and one EP – their latest, ‘Get Wiser,’ is their third for the group’s own label, Innerloop.

Hemphill explains the meaning of the album’s title. “The new album is called ‘Get Wiser’ – that’s the idea.  We as a society tend to have blinders on. We are trying to uplift peoples’ consciousness by breaking down what makes us blind. To do this, we got to bring back truth. People get wiser.”

“Every song is different of course.” Hemphill continues, “I found music to be a way to express myself – through my life I’ve never been able to express myself well in conversations, but I can do it through music. It’s like my way to talk.”

Ever the road warriors (SOJA averages 150 gigs per year), the group will be supporting their latest release with a healthy amount of live dates this year on the “Get Wiser Tour”. With such a list of accumulated live dates, a specific high point is hard to pin down, but O’Shea remembers a particular performance. “One of the shows that remains in the front of my mind was playing at the Tito Puente Amphitheater in Puerto Rico with Gomba Jahbari. It was amazing to see thousands of people, many that may not speak English, singing along to the songs.”

With SOJA calling their own shots, ‘Get Wiser’ proves that the band’s message and music will only continue to grow stronger with each successive release!

Check www.sojamusic.com for the most up-to-date info!

For press inquiries, contact Amy Shapas of So You Can at 831-479-0711 or amy@soyoucan.com

Amy Shapas
So You Can
831-479-0711 ph
831-479-4242 fax
soyoucan@sbcglobal.net
www.soyoucan.com