Music

[Interview] Higher Learning: Who They Are & Why Not to Be Missed at Pass the Good

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Stemming from the breeding ground of talented musicians that is Atlanta, GA, Higher Learning has been making a name for themselves since 2012. Blending a mixture of sound on par with transcending through space balanced with live drums, bass guitar, and a multitude of keys is what sets this trio apart from the others. Florida Music Blog got an inside look at what’s going down on their planet.

Higher Learning’s music evokes (in your own words) a “sonic stew” of music, which I very much agree with and is a prime way to describe yourselves. Although, enveloping such a sound without coming off as cheesy or mediocre must be tough. Explain to me the talent behind producing intergalactic music without becoming too spacey or generic.

Niles Roberts: We are our toughest critics so we are constantly throwing ideas out until we settle on the best ones. Imagery is big to us as well, so if we can create something that shows the listener what we’re seeing then we are content.

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Higher Learning is a part of STS9’s own 1320 Records’ label, which has released a copious amount of music from top tier artists like Emancipator, Pnuma Trio, Eliot Lipp, Big Gigantic, Ott, and a multitude of successful projects. How has becoming apart of such an elite label affected your band in any such way?

Rohan Prakash: Being on the same label as STS9 and all the mentioned artists has been a huge honor. STS9 and the crew behind 1320 Records have been more than welcoming to our sound.

Niles: We all have been big fans of STS9, as well as many other artists on the label. It has definitely made us strive to get on the level and mindset as the other artists we’re being represented with.

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Your album, Cosmic Sidera, circa February 2014, is an all-encompassing journey of sound, blending together a multitude of eclectic instrumentation and tempos ultimately meshing each song into one soulful EP. Tell me about the making of the album – what was your inspiration and how did you create it?

Niles: We wanted to do a concept album on the four Galilean moons of Jupiter which is known as “Cosmica Sidera.” Looking at each moon, one being volcanic and fiery, another being frozen, we wrote to try to describe each of them in their own way.

Tell me more about Higher Learning and the story behind how you came together to create such sonic masterpieces.

Niles: The name Higher Learning has been around for five years and the band started with myself (keyboards, production) and Ryan (bass, production). After going through a few different drummers, we landed with Rohan. Ultimately, we found Rohan after he sat in at a show in Auburn, AL. Adam (keyboards, production), who played a few shows with us, is no longer on stage but still is a part of the collective.

Do you all take part in the making of the computer production part of your songs; and how much would you say the Moog’s come into play versus computer production?

Ryan Renoud: Niles writes the majority of the music but everyone has input once we rehearse the songs for live performance. The Moog/analog side of things is great but nowadays digital synthesis is becoming a monster of its own with less limitations which is very exciting for the future.

What does Higher Learning have in store for the future? Along with playing multiple festivals this fall, are there any other upcoming projects on your horizon?

Niles: We have an album coming out very soon with some very special guests on it. We are beyond excited to release this!

Rohan: We have three festivals left this year: Pass The Good, Hulaween and Zen Awakening. A fall run is in the works as well and I couldn’t be more excited to play these new songs live for everyone. Big thanks to everyone who has supported us thus far.

Be sure to catch Higher Learning’s performance Friday, September 23rd on the Main Stage at the 5th Annual Pass the Good. Newly relocated to the beautiful Vortex Spring, in Ponce de Leon, Florida, Pass the Good presents a repertoire of multi-genre electronic artists taking place September 23rd-25th.

Visit Higher Learning’s website here

More info on Pass the Good here

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