The bands major focus pools from Zimbabwean, Malian, and Caribbean rhythms. However, the lyrics and content remain distinctly North American at heart. A little Paul Simon, Zimbabwe's Oliver Mtukudzi, and roots reggae have most definitely played a role in shaping the sound of this band." Singer/songwriter David New keeps the theme moving from his years spent traveling South America. Depending on the venue, up to 8 members can be on stage during a Hip Abduction event, each following a world, rock, soul, afro-beat, and reggae theme. Heavy emphasis is placed on the dub-reggae-inspired bass lines of Chris Powers and the unique drumming technique of Pat Hernly who uses a multi-percussion setup including congas, timbales, hand kick, tabla, dholak, and cajon. Tight drumming coupled with a strong melodic groove structure is at the core of each tune. THA draws on the stories of acoustic driven blues, overlays jazz/funk style instrumental melodies, and crafts high-energy festival style free improvisation. As a whole, The Hip Abduction members have played and resided in the Caribbean, Micronesia, Ecuador, India, NYC, and DC.
............................
"Creative Loafing "Best Rock/World Fusion band of 2010" winner.
-Selected to work with producer Jim DeVito (The Eagles, Donovan Frankenreiter, Tom Petty) on our 'Sun King' EP released in November 2010.
-Currently supporting sold out shows w/ Trombone Shorty, Donovan Frankenreiter, Toubab Krewe, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals......
-Packing the best venues in Florida as headliners and steadily growing a scene from Miami FL to Atlanta GA. "
-Selected to work with producer Jim DeVito (The Eagles, Donovan Frankenreiter, Tom Petty) on our 'Sun King' EP released in November 2010.
-Currently supporting sold out shows w/ Trombone Shorty, Donovan Frankenreiter, Toubab Krewe, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals......
-Packing the best venues in Florida as headliners and steadily growing a scene from Miami FL to Atlanta GA. "
Homegrown 2011
"Some music doesn't belong to one specific geographic area and can't fit into just one genre category. This is the music of The Hip Abduction. The dynamic Tampa Bay area based band that has soaked up elements of reggae, rock, and african-rooted folk/dance music creating a refined global sound. They have blended elements of Paul Simon following his stint in Africa and thrown in some American west-coast and Caribbean reggae ingredients. Whatever The Hip Abduction reminds you of, they maintain a wholesome sound, especially in an era of monotonous music fusion mumbo jumbo. The Hip Abduction has released two EP's (Move 2008, Sun King 2010) and one album (Home Again 2009) since they began playing together in 2008, but their latest effort (One Less Sound 2011) is proving to be their best yet.
The Hip Abduction's new album "One Less Sound" features traditional African instruments like the kora and nyatiti that are not common in the reggae/rock scene. The album has been five months in the making and has involved producer Jim DeVito (The Eagle's / Mofro), Jody Gray (Prostar Studios) and was mastered by Stephen Marsh (Ben Harper / Incubus). The recording process of the new album mixes analog and digital recording techniques to create warm vintage feel. Singer/songwriter/guitarist David New notes: "It is an 11 song LP that will redefine the sound of the band. South African and Malian influences can be heard throughout the album. There will also be some instrumental songs on this record which is a new twist for THA. This album is much more of a team effort than previous works, including vocal harmonies from every member of the band." "
The Hip Abduction's new album "One Less Sound" features traditional African instruments like the kora and nyatiti that are not common in the reggae/rock scene. The album has been five months in the making and has involved producer Jim DeVito (The Eagle's / Mofro), Jody Gray (Prostar Studios) and was mastered by Stephen Marsh (Ben Harper / Incubus). The recording process of the new album mixes analog and digital recording techniques to create warm vintage feel. Singer/songwriter/guitarist David New notes: "It is an 11 song LP that will redefine the sound of the band. South African and Malian influences can be heard throughout the album. There will also be some instrumental songs on this record which is a new twist for THA. This album is much more of a team effort than previous works, including vocal harmonies from every member of the band." "
St. Petersburg Times - Creative Loafing
"The sunny shimmering suite of tracks on The Hip Abduction’s new Sun King EP were apparently influenced by legendary Zimbabwean musicians Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo, both known for bringing outside influences into their culture’s traditional Shona music. The eight-piece St. Pete Beach-based ensemble fully introduces the Afro-beat vibe into their own brand of world rock with help from producer Jim DeVito (Donavon Frankenreiter) at Retrophonics Studio in St. Augustine, where they used vintage gear, recorded on analog tape and built the EP’s warm and lush sound.
The band ushers in the rich world textures with “Love Foundation,” a leisurely dub reggae number that sets the upbeat tone. Singer/songwriter David New delivers a seamless flow of sung-swallowed verses, the horn section carries the jaunty melodies and sometimes toots lead, the Afro-drenched twinkling of polyrhythmic guitar shines against the dub-deep pulses of bass, and multi-percussion textures and groove-oriented dance grooves run all throughout.
Breezy, pleasant, easy. In sum, an overall successful outing."
The band ushers in the rich world textures with “Love Foundation,” a leisurely dub reggae number that sets the upbeat tone. Singer/songwriter David New delivers a seamless flow of sung-swallowed verses, the horn section carries the jaunty melodies and sometimes toots lead, the Afro-drenched twinkling of polyrhythmic guitar shines against the dub-deep pulses of bass, and multi-percussion textures and groove-oriented dance grooves run all throughout.
Breezy, pleasant, easy. In sum, an overall successful outing."
REAX MAGAZINE
"Afrobeat and jazz influences mingle with energetic drumming and quick-witted Caribbean references that make The Hip Abduction all the more enjoyable. It's very easy for bands who attempt to replicate the much-pretended but rarely achieved "world" sound to fall into unlistenable cacophony, but The Hip Abduction successfully avoids that danger. Though billed as highly influenced by global music, The Hip Abduction's Home Again is most definitely Caribbean in its flavor and tempos. The band's name indicates the desire and tendency of the music to get you grooving, and its something that's hard to resist. Check them and their newest album out.
Chris Gaughan
REAX Magazine #33
February 2009"
Chris Gaughan
REAX Magazine #33
February 2009"
