STS9 just released a brand new single called “Real & Imagined” to the public yesterday for fans to enjoy. The song was originally recorded at some point during the group’s Artifact sessions, a period of time between 2001 and 2004 that eventually bore STS9’s atmospheric 2005 album. As noted in the notes accompanying the release on Sound Tribe’s Facebook, “[‘Real & Imagined’ has] always been one of our favorite songs, we just couldn’t seem to finish it. We revisited it after The Universe Inside and something just clicked. The first step in making something real is to imagine it. In other words, our reality is the sum of our collective imagination. We’re more inspired than ever and we hope this song inspires all of you. Let’s imagine something beautiful.”
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“Real & Imagined” opens with sparse piano and shimmering electronic effects sampled from Sbtl Hvy’s “Landscape Breath” (as noted by Reddit user timeisart), which then continues to weave its way across the rest of the song. As the laid-back bass and spacious drums kick in, the song settles into an easy groove, never losing sight of the song’s ambient tone. Eventually, the song gears up with the juxtaposition of a plucky guitar riff paired with wispy and eerie electronic ornaments, hinting that the song will easily serve as a jam vehicle in STS9’s live shows for years to come.
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Given that “Real & Imagined” was first conceptualized during the recording sessions for Artifact, fans can hope to see this newly released number at the group’s three-night 20th-anniversary run at the iconic Colorado venue, Red Rocks Amphitheater, in September, which will see the group recreate the entirety of the album on Friday night. Check out Tribe’s new single, “Real & Imagined”, below.
[Photo: Dave Vann]