Band comes to Music Hall for show to benefit Senegal

Success has finally prevailed for Sound Tribe Sector 9, an instrumental band known for its live performances. The group is touring the country playing indoor theaters; something rather innovative considering their usual outdoor shows.

Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) has been self-described in the media as "post-rock dance music," combining elements of jazz, funk, and hip-hop. The electro-funk rhythmical band from Atlanta is coming to Charleston's Music Hall on Wednesday. The concert is a benefit for economic relief in Senegal.

The band has released seven albums, including a live performance, since their debut in 1998. With an independent label, STS9 has achieved success mainly through live shows, and have gathered a following reminiscent to the Grateful Dead and Phish around the San Francisco, Boulder, Colorado, Atlanta and Athens areas, despite their dissimilarities in sound and style.

"We've basically haven't found a good word or genre to describe our sound. We have a softer side at times and aim to make the audience dance," said David Murphy, bassist, laptop tech, and midi keyboard player. "It would be impossible for me to describe our sound in one word."

STS9's influences range from jazz, such as legends Weather Report and Herbie Hancock, to electro-dance and techno.

"Peaceblaster," its newest album, is getting enthusiastic reviews and is on iTunes' Top 10 list for album of the year, as well as landing on Billboard's Electronic Chart.

The album was recorded in late 2007 and finished in three months.

"The way we compose our music is basically bringing in chopped up pieces, such as guitar lines or synth parts, lay down a drum line or beat, and strip away anything that's unnecessary," Murphy said.

"We each bring something to the table, but sometimes there's no real formula, just a beat, melody, and a progression. Like most songs, everything begins with an idea," he said.

The new album has more of a live feeling than their past efforts.

" 'Peaceblaster' wasn't intentionally supposed to have a live feel, but in the outcome after listening to it, it does have that sort of feel, so I would say it's coincidental," Murphy said. "We also thought to ourselves and agreed that we would bring songs to the studio that made a lot of sense on the stage to play live."

STS9 members are no strangers to the South and are very familiar with Charleston. In the late '90s, they played packed houses at many local venues, such as the Music Farm, Cumberlands and Zebo's.

"Charleston's a special place for us," Murphy said. "It was one of the first places we ever played and we've got lots of friends and some family down here."

An STS9 concert usually offers a rotating set list, remixed songs and continual improvisation. Normally, they'll play for more than two hours, with an encore.