Bump up your speakers and make you believers in good vibes again

                                              — SunDub “Jump and Dance”

Last week, Brooklyn-based SunDub released a reggae masterpiece. Titled Spirits Eat Music, like the lyrical excerpt above says, this collection of pure reggae perfection will brighten moods, kindle consciousness and prompt boogie.  As SunDub’s bio on their website poetically states, their music is a “stand out expression of reggae’s classic undulating pulse and lush subterranean grooves, reinvented for listeners of all times and genres.” At the front of it all, the “commanding and soulfully smoky lead vocals” of Joanna Teters unmistakably elevates the vibe and gives the band their signature sound. 

SunDub came together through a weekly music residency at a neighborhood bar and, while only one member, keyboardist Eric Toussaint, actually grew up in Brooklyn, the band is a proper representation of the borough itself, which is an amalgam of people from a vast mix of geographic regions and walks of life. The group also includes bassist Josh T. Carter, originally from Atlanta, guitarist Finn Singer from Charlottesville, VA, as well as drummer Ben Teters and his sister, singer Joanna Teters, who grew up a few hours north on I-87 in a town known for hippies and rock climbing, New Paltz, NY. 

The record marks the collective’s second LP, but first on the highly regarded Easy Star Records label. Easy Star co-founder and CEO, Eric Smith, lauds, “Easy Star is very much a product of the New York music scene out of which the label was born. With that in mind, as we have grown our roster to include so many great artists from Jamaica, the West Coast, the Southeast, Hawaii, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and even New Caledonia, we have always kept our eye on New York and the artists coming out of it.  SunDub is one of those artists who immediately caught our attention. They are a wonderful example of the rich talent we have here in New York, and they have a sound that we think can connect nationally and internationally.”

The band feels quite comfortable working with the label as well. According to Ben Teters, “Working with Easy Star has been amazing. They bring valuable experience in the game and are a backbone of the New York based scene as well. We can’t wait to see where this album takes us, and to keep working with them to achieve greatness.”

In my opinion, they have already achieved it with Spirits Eat Music, an album fueled and flavored in part by the opportunity to record at Lydgate Studios, located on a remote cacao farm on Kauai. The Teters siblings had both worked there previously, so when they were invited to record there in 2021, despite having to wait until very tight COVID travel restrictions had been loosened, the band jumped at the chance to return with their bandmates. Said Teters, “The vibe is unmatched, and the studio is set up to capture a really great roots reggae sound.”

Joanna Teters (Photo cred: Kiki Vassilikas)

In comparing the creation of Spirits to SunDub’s first album, the meritable Burden of Love, Teters said, “This album was a much more involved process than our first album. We were in the studio for much longer and came in much more rehearsed. We recorded a lot of material, some of which did not make the album. We also had much more time to explore arrangement and production ideas with (producer) Sidney Mills. All these things affected the music and I think it comes across in every way, from the fidelity of the record to the song choice and range of musicality.”

On working with Mills, a seasoned and respected producer also known as the keyboardist for British reggae luminaries Steel Pulse, Teters said, “Sidney is a master of his craft, and legend of the genre. His sensibilities to provide that ‘authentic’ reggae sound is unmatched. He also embraces the uniqueness of our sound and knows how to push us as a band in the studio. Sidney is down for the ride. As we say, ‘We’re ova here now.’”

Teters described the band’s songwriting process as very collaborative. “A song might start with one person’s idea — be it a lyric, melody line or more fully built-out riddim,” he explained. “From there, the band will work it into a more full version, often times in the studio. Joanna usually writes most of the lyrics, but collaboration happens lyrically as well.”

Like the best of reggae that has come before it, the messaging communicated through those heartfelt words helps make this album so special. The press release for the album states, “The album takes an honest look at the band members’ lives over the last few years, containing themes of profound loss, transformation, connection and love.” Teters commented, “Spirits Eat Music was written during 2020 and 2021, much of which was a very hard time for the world. The sense of resiliency and revolution on the record stems from these hard times.”

The album kicks off with an outstanding title track, a moving acknowledgement and celebration of the spirits around us on an everyday basis. Teters explained the inspiration of the song: “The lyrical content and idea for the song originally stems from a spiritual vision which communicates the idea that spiritual beings ‘eat’ music in the same way that physical beings eat food; it nourishes them and provides them sustenance.”

He continued, “We certainly feel a spiritual presence in our lives and try to bring that feeling into our music and our live performances. Music is one of the best ways to create a spiritual connection. It is a medium very effective in communicating with spiritual beings. Just like thought, intention, or prayer, music can be received by a higher power as a frequency we create and omit. Not only do these beings receive music, but it is vital to their longevity. Released from their dense physical bodies, the spiritual being can now persist on music.”

With a little further prodding, he generously revealed a personal connection to the song, relating how, in February 2021, he and his sister tragically lost their younger brother, Adam Teters, to a fatal drug poisoning. Adam had been a talented musician and producer following in the footsteps of his siblings, and all in step with their father, a drummer himself. According to Ben, with the painful loss of their brother, this song has taken on a “new and profoundly personal meaning” for his family, the band, and “most anyone who listens to it, as it is now inextricably tied to Adam Teters, his musical journey, and every loved one that the members of SunDub have lost.

SunDub, from left: Ben Teters, Eric Toussaint, Joanna Teters, Josh T. Carter, Finn Singer.                 (Photo cred: Kiki Vassilikas)

In the face of tragedy and hardship, we strive for perseverance, which is the theme of the next track, the buoyant and heartening “New Ways to Love.” With a cursory listen, one might think the track speaks to learning to love again after heartbreak, but the song, written during the early days of the pandemic lockdown, is really about finding ways to be happy and fulfilled during a challenging time. Heightening the track, which happens to be the favorite of Easy Star’s Smith, Joanna Teters’ vocals are accompanied superbly by the unmistakable voice of Peetah Morgan. 

Said Smith, “I think every song on this album has wonderful moments to dig into, but if I had to pick one (favorite) song it would have to be ‘New Ways To Love.’  There are those distinct voices in reggae that just stand out to you, shining a bit brighter than others. Peetah Morgan has one of those voices, as does Joanna, so to hear them together on one track is musical magic.” 

Ben Teters agrees. “Peetah was a great addition to this track because his voice emanates a positive vibration; his lyrics and music have made such a beautiful and uplifting impact on our lives and the lives of so many.” Regarding the genesis this awesome track, he mentioned that the phrase “New Ways to Love” had been kicking around in Joanna’s consciousness for a long time before it found its ultimate home in the song. “With all of the complexities and difficulties that life brings, it all comes down to love. Being able to love yourself, love others, access deeper empathy and ease is paramount as we navigate this life. The isolation, fear and anxiety that the pandemic brought on became a true test in being able to keep these beliefs central in our daily lives.”

With Election Day just passing and so much at stake when it comes to personal liberties, the track “Real Change” seems especially poignant. An invigorating anthem that provides encouragement to the warriors of social change, according to Teters the track had actually been written in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsberg the day after she passed. “The lyrics are speaking directly to the collective reaction to the passing of such a legendary champion of anti-discrimination and equality, what it meant for us at that moment and how we were waking up to the ways we needed to carry forward her legacy,” said Teters. “Many direct quotes from RBG are imbued in the lyrics of this song, and what lines aren’t direct, are heavily inspired by her work, her ideals and her vision for our future.”

The song includes the rousing chorus:

Fight for what you believe in

Show your strength by the way you lead

Justice will make a way for peace

Leave your anger and worry

Keep your eyes ahead as the sun rises

Every day brings a new release

When asked about the meaning behind the final line of the chorus, Teters explained that it refers to revolutionizing and seeing things from a new perspective. “Whether it’s the release of hard truths into the world, release of suffering, release of pent-up frustration or confusion that allows for new clarity.”

Spirits Eat Music has a lot of feels, but perhaps none more powerful than the bridge of this song when Joanna Teters holds the soaring final note when she sings “Real change, everlasting change, is up to just you and I.”

After the gravity of “Real Change,” the album shifts to a more jubilant sentiment with the scorcher “Jump and Dance,” which champions the power and pleasure of reggae music. The song includes a chorus with the dope line quoted at the top of the article as well as a vocal feature from the beloved Jamaican singer, Lutan Fyah. “Lutan is one of our favorite vocalists because of his versatile and cutting vocal style,” said Teters. “He was one of the only people we reached out to for this feature and we were very happy when agreed to appear on the track. His part on this song is tightly packed with nimble lyricism and creatively layered background vocals, complimenting Joanna’s style perfectly.” 

Also celebrating the joys of reggae music, “The Wall” is an upbeat, mirthful tune about going out and dancing with your friends. Teters explained that the phrase from the chorus “Let it put you on the wall” refers to “when the music hits so deeply that you can’t help but dance, even if you’ve been dancing for hours, so you turn to the wall for support…when your legs start to give out because the vibrations are coursing through your body, lean on the wall next to you and don’t stop dancing.”

Keeping things fresh, the tone switches again to a more serious topic with “Misinformation,” a standout track that warns people to beware of the lies that bombard us every day as a means to influence policy and sway votes in a contentious climate. Joanna Teters sings:

Find some solid footing

Or else you’ll be groundless (You’ll be groundless)

Don’t believe everything you see

That is unfounded, you’re surrounded

By endless lies, don’t be unwise

From the foreboding of “Misinformation,” the mood shifts to optimism with the last two tracks. Stepping out of the reggae genre and into r & b, the soothing “Nah Worry Yourself” suggests that we can create a better, more accepting world.

Don’t need no weapons

Don’t need no bullets to take over the oppressors

They’ll try to threaten

All we got to do is make them learn acceptance

Draw up the plans

Rally the troops and lead them to a better land

Yeah, the journey is long

But in the end, we’ll know we’re right where we belong

We’re on the verge, something I’ve heard

Building a world with no hatred just love

We throw away boundaries we made

Clean off the slate and just see what remains

Does the band honestly feel hopeful about the future of our country, or they just trying to will it into being by thinking positive?  Said Teters, “I do feel optimistic about the future of our country, but that mostly comes out of the need to speak it into existence and the trust in our younger generation. The future is in our hands and the more that we can empower and inspire each other to be leaders — however that may look to you — the more we will be able to make the world a better place together. We need to hold each other accountable and understand that we need everyone to step up in their own unique ways to take steps closer to making the world a more peaceful, equitable, safe place for all to live.” 

Whereas “Nah Worry Yourself” professes hope for a more harmonious society, the next and final track, “I Know I’m Found” contains a similarly uplifting sentiment, yet with a more personal focus. Also written during the lockdown phase of the pandemic, Teters explains, “As creatives (musicians, songwriters, performers, etc.) we ‘fill our cups’ by connecting with people, with exchanging energy with our audiences, with growing and pushing our careers as we travel and create. The lyrics of this song came out of a place of choosing to turn back towards the innate trust we have in ourselves, the belief and self-confidence in our creative offerings and the knowledge that we will continue to hold ourselves and each other up through difficult times.”

While Spirits East Music dropped last Friday, I had been given an advance access to the music weeks ago for press considerations. However, I anxiously awaited the release date so I could share the music with choice friends who I suspected would connect with it. I texted a link to the album on Spotify to one such friend on Friday morning, and within a day she responded, confirming my hunch that this album would resonate deeply with her. I encourage all readers to dive in similarly and share this wonderful offering with fellow fans who will appreciate it.