Roots Of Creation ADD
"From addictive reggae pop songs to consciously charged roots rhythms and berzerk electronic improvisations, the grace and precision with which Roots of Creation execute their bass-heavy works is overwhelming. Their roots are tinged with rock, their rock brushed with electronica, and they’re as likely to dash off into a 10-minute guitar-led groove as they are to perform righteous vocal songs that resonate like the roots-rock classics of old.” — Homegrown Music Network Whether on the festival circuit, performing at jam favorites like Gathering of The Vibes, Wakarusa, Camp Bisco, and Closer to the Sun, or sharing the stage at sold out shows with some of their diverse influences including Slightly Stoopid, The Wailers, Fishbone, and Michael Franti, reggae/rock/dubtronica band Roots of Creation (RoC) offer up a high-energy, infectious experience.
Recognized as a Top 20 artist on the Relix/Jamband radio chart, a festival staple, and an internationally touring powerhouse, RoC have been awarded “Favorite Jam Band” by Cider Magazine and “Best Band In New Hampshire” by the New England Music Awards. RoC mix their jam-reggae hybrid sound with homegrown roots, guitar-heavy rock, and lead singer/guitarist Brett Wilson’s introspective and conscious laden lyrics. Named after a Sublime song on the B-Side of the Badfish CD single, Roots of Creation is made up of founding members, guitarist/lead singer Brett Wilson, keyboardist Tal Pearson, and drummer Mike Chadinha. The trio came together at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire where they embraced the state motto, "Live Free or Die," in their music and message. Today the original trio is joined by newest members Billy Kottage (Reel Big Fish) on trombone, rhythm guitar, keys and harmony vocals, Andrew Riordan on saxophone, synth and harmony vocals, and Nick Minicucci on bass guitar.
In 2012, RoC won the Cider Magazine Award for “Favorite Jam Band,” and in 2013, won the New England Music Award for “Best Band In New Hampshire.” In 2014, the band released “Summer in the 603” with The SSP (Super Secret Project), a parody video of NH. The video went viral, hitting major news outlets and surpassing 75K views. The band’s intent is to deliver a true rock show cleverly disguised as a reggae dance bash with psychedelic and energizing lights. Since hitting the top 20 on the Relix/Jamband radio charts, RoC has toured internationally playing over 1,000 shows coast to coast, encouraging audience taping of shows amassing nearly a quarter of a million downloads of their live performances on music archive site, archive.org, and building a loyal and engaged fanbase, one by one.
Relix Magazine describes their live show as one “that erupts on stage, severing artist-audience barriers while summoning fans to join them in an awakening.” It’s no surprise then that the band has released three live albums and one live DVD, in addition to two studio albums. On April 22nd, 2016, Roots of Creation will release Livin Free, a project that frontman Brett Wilson calls their “biggest ever.” Releasing via the band’s own label, Bombshelter Records, and distributed by ILS/Caroline/Universal Music Group, Livin Free is a nod to the New Hampshire state motto.
It marks the band’s third studio release, but it’s so much more than an 18-track LP. In addition to digital and retail CDs of the LP, Livin Free will be available as a 3-disc deluxe collection with both dub/remix and acoustic versions of 14 of the LP’s tracks in digital and CD formats. The CD formats as well as limited edition, hand-numbered (1/500), splatter/colored, double 12” vinyl, will be available via Amazon and select retail stores on May 6th.
The iTunes pre-order for both the standard LP and deluxe collection will begin on March 18th and include instant downloads of tracks “Struggle,” “Row Jimmy” (Grateful Dead), and “3x A Lady.” Livin Free features guest performances by Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Marshall “Ras MG” Goodman (Sublime, Long Beach Dub Allstars), the Rubblebucket horn section, Billy Kottage (Reel Big Fish), Bill Carbone (Zach Deputy, Max Creek), Grammy-nominated Pato Banton (Sting, UB40), and Mighty Mystic. Additionally, the album welcomes guest production by Yeti Beats (Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid) on “3x a Lady,” and Ras MG on “Struggle (Ras MG Remix).” Livin Free was produced by Brett Wilson, and co-produced by Pete Peloquin and Roots of Creation. The album was executive produced by Omen8 Production and the “RoC Pledgers,” fans who supported the band’s recent PledgeMusic campaign which surpassed the goal by 36% (and climbing). All songs on the LP were engineered and mixed by Pete “Boardz” Peloquin (Gov’t Mule, OAR), except a handful by Craig “Dubfader” Welsch (G. Love, John Brown’s Body), Yeti Beats, and Roger Lima (Less Than Jake). The album was mastered by Grammy winner and 8-time Grammy-nominated mastering engineer Jay Frigoletto (Alice In Chains, Black Eyed Peas). Prior to the LP’s release, a maxi-single/EP of the album’s first single, “Struggle,” will be released on March 4th.
This includes four unique versions of the song, one featuring Melvin Seals and Marshall “Ras MG” Goodman, another featuring only Melvin Seals, one remixed by Ras MG, and finally a solo acoustic version by Brett Wilson. “I never imagined that after listening to legendary artists like Sublime and Long Beach Dub Allstars religiously in my youth, that I would ever be collaborating with Ras MG,” says Brett Wilson. "He is a true musician. He pushed me to the max and inspired me to keep my ears open to new sounds and ideas.” Roots of Creation is now on tour, and this spring will perform select dates on the “Spring Blackout 2016 Tour” with The Expendables, Passafire, and Tunnel Vision. They’ll also perform select dates with Organically Good Trio (ft. Paul W. of Slightly Stoopid), Mighty Mystic, and Spiritual Rez.
