Dub-tinged American band Stick Figure launched their seventh studio album Knowledge on September 9. Knowledge was written, produced, and recorded by vocalist Scott Woodruff, with assist from drummer Kevin Offitzer, bassist Tommy Suliman, guitarist Johnny Cosmic, percussionist Will Phillips, and KBong (actual title Kevin Bong) who additionally has a profitable solo profession.
The album was recorded at Nice Stone Studios in Oakland, California—former residence of Inexperienced Day—that includes friends Barely Stoopid, Barrington Levy, and Collie Buddz. The album was led by singles like “Paradise” and “Approach of Life.” Ye and DJ Khaled were spotted on TikTok getting right down to “Right here Comes the Sound” off the brand new album, as Khaled appeared to egg on Ye as he began bobbing to the upbeat.
There’s no denying the band’s imminent rise heightened by sold-out excursions. In actual fact, Stick Determine averages over 4,200 tickets offered per present on nearly each tour. The album topped the iTunes Reggae Albums chart, andJamaica Observer and Jamaica Gleaner report that Knowledge debuted on the spot atop the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart—the title usually occupied by Bob Marley’s assortment Legend, or a minimum of for the earlier 140 weeks.
Stick Figure dabbled in cannabis flower in 2016, releasing Stick Determine Bitter (001 Bitter Diesel x Tangie)—primarily based on one in all Woodruff’s favourite strains—which debuted at The Emerald Cup, involving a partnership with Humboldt’s Finest.
Final February, Stick Determine carried out to an brisk crowd at Cali Vibes, full with pyrotechnics, and at Cali Roots. The reference to the group is without doubt one of the band’s key strengths. Stick Determine’s different star—a rescued Australian Shepherd named Cocoa—even has her personal 501(c)3 charity and following on social media.
Woodruff mentioned the brand new album with Excessive Instances, and discovering peace and solace within the craziness of the world.
Excessive Instances Journal: Inform us about what new themes will be discovered on the brand new album, Knowledge.
Scott Woodruff: Knowledge is all concerning the journey. I needed to offer folks an album that makes them really feel good and resonates with no matter they’re going by means of of their lives and hopefully reminds them that there’s magnificence and pleasure within the midst of all of the craziness.
What was it like working with Barrington Levy?
I’m actually honored to work with the legend himself Barrington Levy. He impressed me a lot from an early age and is without doubt one of the most important causes I make music. Barrington’s album Too Skilled was the primary reggae album I ever owned, and this looks like such a full circle second to collaborate with him on “Soul of the World.”
Was any of the brand new materials recorded in the course of the pandemic?
Yeah, my childhood pal TJ O’Neill and I challenged ourselves to jot down a complete album in a 12 months and we did. We stored busy doing precisely what we like to do, writing music. Then I spent day-after-day of the subsequent 12 months producing the entire album, taking part in one instrument at a time in my residence studio.
Your excursions often promote out. Is there a component that goes with Stick Determine that solely comes alive throughout dwell reveals?
We put numerous thought into each aspect, from the dwell preparations to the transitions to having an awesome gentle present. Nonetheless, we attempt to preserve it contemporary, even in the course of the set we frequently change the songs in actual time; it retains it fascinating, as you by no means know what you’re going to see in our dwell present. For instance, on one in all our most up-to-date excursions we performed the group a model new tune and recorded them singing alongside.
We then blended these recordings right into a tune on the brand new album Knowledge. There ended up being over 50,000 voices on that observe from the ten reveals we recorded at. We named the observe “Smoke Alerts”. Regulate www.stickfigure.com for extra tour dates.
Do you’ve got a favourite venue to carry out at?
It’s gotta be Crimson Rocks in Colorado—the setting, the vitality, the sound; the whole lot simply looks like a film at Crimson Rocks.
How is Cocoa doing?
She’s dwelling the life. We simply moved full time to San Diego, and she or he’s loving life being by the seaside. She’s such a sweetheart, man.
Do you’ve got any festivals lined up within the upcoming months?
We’re taking part in Reggae Rise Up in Las Vegas in October and Nearer to The Solar in Mexico in December. We now have some thrilling festivals to announce for subsequent 12 months as properly.
You’ve been working with Barely Stoopid fairly a bit once more. How far do you guys return?
Barely Stoopid have been our large brothers within the music scene and supported Stick since day one. They’ve been an enormous affect for me since I used to be a child, particularly once I was studying guitar and began singing. We’ve now completed a number of tracks collectively, and it’s all the time enjoyable collaborating and taking part in reveals collectively.
The world desperately lacks positivity. Is that one thing you need to promote normally with Stick Determine?
Completely. The music is supposed to deliver peace and happiness into your life and create a sense of pleasure and hope. Positivity makes the world a greater place.
Do you’ve got some other bulletins or shoutouts concerning the brand new album?
It’s all the time thrilling to launch new music. The album has solely been out a pair weeks, and the suggestions has been unbelievable. I need to shout out my band and crew and all the Stick Determine Household. Couldn’t do it with none of you.
