The Hip Abduction Band 'Friendsgiving 2024' With Big Something & Vana Liya

The Hip Abduction, out of St. Petersburg, FL, began as a duo in 2007 with a shared passion for the same music, reggae and West African-influence sounds from Mali and other countries. Bassist Chris Powers and singer David New, have shared about getting together and “playing cover gigs for $100 and a fish sandwich on the beach”. They both grew up and were inspired by the music of Paul Simon; think Simon’s iconic 1986 “Graceland” album. They formed the group in 2010 and if you were wondering, yes, the name was inspired by the gym exercise equipment of the same.

Stepping into the music scene in 2011, they are an eclectic group, a sort-of musician collective. Evoking the ocean and guided by the spirit of travel, The Hip Abduction pilot a sonic expedition past genre barriers. “We make our own instruments” shares David New, ie: a West African 14-string harp made from a wooden salad bowl from IKEA and monofilament fishing line. "We started writing music that didn't sound like anything else”. “We’ve had quite a few people in the band over the years; the people we play with aren't just players, they're audiophiles”. All of this combined helped create the Hip Abduction sound which Powers has coined "tropical, indie, jam reggae."

The band is the moniker for singer/songwriter New who writes and produces music in between travel excursions and touring. Live shows morph into a versatile musical ensemble consisting of Matt Poynter (drums), Chris Powers (bass), Justino Walker (guitar, vocals, ngoni), and Cody Moore (keys, sax); each of whom have a mutual appreciation for African (Afrobeat/Soukous/Malian Blues), Reggae, and American (jam/electronic/indie) music. Since 2012, the band has played almost every noteworthy music festival in the country, has landed major TV/Movie syncs and Sirius Xm radio spins, have 650k+ mo listeners on Spotify, have provided direct cross country tour support for artists like Dirty Heads, Galactic, Slightly Stoopid, The Revivalists, and who’s highly energized live show have landed the 5-piece a sizable fanbase across the US and Canada.

Don’t mis this opportunity to, as the band likes to present, “go outside and get the GOOD VIBES on”!

Big Something

Big Something is known for their high-energy live performances. Hailing from the North Carolina countryside, or “The Middle of Nowhere,” as it’s proudly dubbed on their debut album, the 6 headed musical monster known as 'Big Something' has steadily become one of the most unique and exciting rock bands to emerge from the Southeast.

Huge rhythms paired with soaring guitars, E.W.I (electronic wind instrument), synths, horns and soulful vocals rise to the top of their signature sound taking listeners on a journey through a myriad of musical styles. With a diverse and growing catalog of timeless songs that tell stories, and a high energy live show fusing improvisational alternative rock with funk, reggae, jazz, electronica, heavy metal and more – there's not another band quite like Big Something.

Vana Liya

Genre-busting vocalist and songwriter Vana Liya made a serendipitous arrival on the national music scene after she posted several ukulele covers of popular reggae songs to social media, which garnered the support of top original artists and led to a 2018 record deal with L.A.-based LAW Records becoming their first female and first solo artist. She has since been quickly earning a reputation among many of her well-established musical peers as a solid collaborator who always brings a fresh take and positive energy to the mix with her distinct yet not easily classifiable “island” vibe.

Vana Liya’s new single "Round n Round” featuring Pepper, is out now and kicks off the album campaign for her debut album, Little Kahuna (released September 3rd) on LAW Records. Produced by multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and Stick Figure member Johnny Cosmic, the single pays homage to LAW’s free spirit of collaboration between major and emerging artists with Vana’s raw, sweet, and ethereal vocals cascading over a meandering electronic reggae groove, and paired with Pepper frontman Kaleo Wassman’s iconically bold lyrical delivery.

Thematically, “Round n Round” relates that mystifying mix of loneliness and wanderlust familiar to the timeless wayfaring traveler and the roving artists who stray far from home to follow their muse across the globe.