Author Archives
Ever since becoming deeply moved and then essentially obsessed with reggae music as a teenager, Dave has always strove to learn as much as possible about the history and culture of reggae music, Jamaica and Rastafari, the ideology and lifestyle intertwined with reggae.
Over the years, he has interviewed many personalities throughout the reggae world including Ziggy Marley, Burning Spear, Lucky Dube, Bradley Nowell and many artists in the progressive roots scene.
Dave has also written and published a novel, “The Cosmic Burrito,” a tale of two friends who drive across the USA in search of the ultimate burrito. He plays ice hockey weekly for a recreational team he founded and manages, Team Rasta.
Reggae music has filled his life with a richness for which he will forever be grateful, and he gives thanks to musicians far and wide, past and present, whether they perform roots, dub, dancehall, skinhead, rocksteady or ska, whether their tools are analog or digital, as well as the producers, promoters, soundsystems, selectors and the reggae massive at large who comprise the international reggae community.
You can follow Dave on Instagram at @rootsdude and Twitter at @ElCosmicBurrito.
We are counting down the hours to our latest music and lifestyle festival, Rootfire At The Park, in Cocoa, Florida, on October 22nd. All hands are on deck tying up loose ends and finalizing details, from vendors to ticketing to security and logistics, but while everyone is… Read More
A series exploring photos, words, and songs.
Photos: Arik Solberg
Words: Dave Shiffman
Songs: ♫ on Spotify
WORDS:
Heading inland from the epic breaks and monster waves of the surfing mecca of the north shore of Oahu, your pulse accelerates when you… Read More
A weekly series exploring photos, words, and songs.
Photos: Arik Solberg
Words: Dave Shiffman
Songs: ♫ on Spotify
WORDS:
Stars. That’s all you see. Some are mere specks of white against the charcoal night sky, identical and seemingly as inconsequential as a… Read More
A weekly series exploring photos, words, and songs.
Photos: Arik Solberg
Words: Dave Shiffman
Songs: ♫ on Spotify
WORDS:
It’s still summer, but there’s snow on the ground. Your legs burn and your feet ache after hiking up the… Read More
A weekly series exploring photos, words, and songs.
Photos: Arik Solberg
Words: Dave Shiffman
Songs: ♫ on Spotify
WORDS: Huntington Beach, CA, the quintessential west coast beach.
What is your favorite thing about the beach? … Read More
Rootfire is excited to announce that Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad‘s latest single “Gotta Make A Livin” was premiered by Relix yesterday. Starting in 1974 as a handmade newsletter devoted to connecting people who recorded Grateful Dead shows, today Relix, a beacon of grassroots success,… Read More
A weekly series exploring photos, words, and songs.
Photos: Arik Solberg
Words: Dave Shiffman
Songs: ♫ on Spotify
WORDS: Stumbling upon a beach that you didn’t know existed. Pulling the camper right up to the water for a… Read More