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.
Not long after becoming friendly with Rootfire founder Seth Herman several years ago, he introduced me to the music of the Virginia-based collective, Buddha Council.
There are some bands that don’t move you upon first hearing them, but then after further listening and/or seeing… Read More
Nowadays, with the Amazon Echo, Google Home and other smart speakers, people can access music without even having to get up off of the couch. Digital technology revolutionized the distribution of music while wireless capability transformed the way we listen to it, creating a new world… Read More
In anticipation of the March 9 release of New Hampshire reggae rockers Roots of Creation’s Grateful Dub tribute album on Bombshelter Records, today Rootfire premieres the song “Sugaree.” A beloved track amongst legions of Deadheads, this song… Read More
New Jersey is a state of great diversity and dichotomy. It contains some of the most dilapidated, depressed and dangerous cities in America yet boasts three of the top ten richest counties in the country. The Appalachian Trail runs through the mountains of its northwest corner, a… Read More
A series exploring photos, words, and songs.
Photos: Arik Solberg
Words: Dave Shiffman
Songs: ♫ on Spotify
The lone agave bloom overlooks the magnificent vastness of the Grand Canyon’s south rim. On the surface, from its isolated position on a remote bluff, the agave… Read More
A series exploring photos, words, and songs.
Photos: Arik Solberg
Words: Dave Shiffman
Songs: ♫ on Spotify
The changing of the seasons has always been a significant element of my life. It has come to be something I genuinely appreciate, and would miss should I move… Read More
Back in the 90’s, the American reggae scene contained only a fraction of the bands it does today. The majority of touring acts came from either Jamaica or Africa, but there were a handful of American bands throughout the country playing local shows.… Read… Read More