Finding their own Sound

Sound Tribe Sector 9 is anything but an easily classified band. With its own record label, a refreshingly philanthropic attitude and music that ranges from heavy electronica to psychedelic groove, the California quintet certainly separates itself from the mainstream.

Though STS9 has made a name for itself playing music festivals like Rothbury and All Good, a group member said it shares little in common with the quintessential jam band and its sound is wholly unique.

In an interview with The Diamondback, bassist David Murphy said even he has some difficulty defining their sound.

"I generally describe us as an instrumental electronic rock band," Murphy said. "It definitely pulls from a lot of different influences. The show itself is very well thought out. There isn't really a lot of improvising or jamming, contrary to a lot of popular belief."

STS9 was formed in Georgia in the late 1990s, and its lineup has remained intact since the band's humble beginnings playing small downtown bars and clubs. The group has released nine albums and developed a devoted following, making it one of the most popular touring acts in the country.

The band will perform tomorrow and Sunday night at the 9:30 Club. Murphy said the band's sound is ever-evolving and its albums and shows change drastically as the band itself progresses.

Melodic guitar lines lead the bands' intense percussion, ethereal piano and prominent bass lines to create a unified soundscape that moves through its arranged song segments. The group plays a rotating setlist, varying which songs are played each night and using a dynamic light show complete with LED displays, guaranteeing a fresh concert experience.

Their newest album, Ad Explorata — Latin for "into the unknown" — was released late last year and combined some of their most popular live tracks with unreleased material.

"We get back to some vibes that we haven't done in four, five years," Murphy said. "We really take some of those songs to the next level by really putting them under the microscope."

STS9 created its own record label, 1320 Records, so the members would have the freedom to work on their own terms and embrace their grassroots philosophy to music production.

"We just couldn't really find a label or anything that felt like it really fit," Murphy said. "We didn't really want to just sign a contract unless there was somebody who understood what we were going after even though we didn't know."

Even before Ad Explorata, the band was venturing into uncharted territory in creating its personal label, unsure of what the results would be.

"We just said f--- it, we'll do it ourselves and we'll just see what happens, and it's ended up great for us," he said. "Because it now enabled us to develop and help create a scene around us that is kind of a reflection of what we do."

The STS9 members pride themselves on their altruism and have been involved with several charities. Since 2004, a dollar from every ticket sold has gone towards a charitable organization. And since February 2009, STS9 has raised more than $100,000 for the Make It Right foundation in New Orleans. The band's $150,000 goal will eventually go toward building a house in the Lower Ninth Ward for a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Murphy said the band made a visit to the hurricane-stricken area and witnessed the devastation of Katrina firsthand.

"I don't think people really get it unless you go see it," he said. "You go down there and you feel like you're in a Third World country war zone."

While the band is only making a handful of stops on the East Coast, Murphy said the group especially likes playing in the Washington area because it creates a small-town feel despite its big-city foundation.

"The D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area — we just love it," he said. "Maybe it's because some of y'all are the South and some of y'all aren't, but it feels good there. It's a hectic part of the country but that's what I like about it. There's so much diversity in such a close knit area."

Sound Tribe Sector 9 will perform at the 9:30 Club tomorrow and Sunday night. Doors open at 8 p.m., and though tomorrow's show is sold out, tickets for Sunday range from $22.50 to $40.

rhodes@umdbk.com