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."