It isn't intentional that electronic rock band Sound Tribe Sector 9 goes by STS9, the same letters applied by NASA to space shuttle Columbia, the first Spacelab mission launched in November 1983 - but "it's a an awesome coincidence that we enjoy a lot," says band member David Phipps.
If you go
› What: STS9› Where: Track 29, 1400 Market St.› When: 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 25› Admission: $25 in advance, $30 day of show› Phone: 423-521-2929
STS9 is known for its elaborate light shows, which will be part of the live show at Track 29 on Tuesday.In fact, the first track of their latest album, "The Universe Inside," opens with original NASA STS-9 radio transmissions.
Phipps says this fascination with space exploration has been part of the band since their childhood.
"I think all of us growing up in the time of space shuttle missions were really fascinated," Phipps says during a recent phone interview.
STS9 will be at Track 29 on Tuesday, April 25, in support of "The Universe Inside," their first record in almost seven years.
The 13-track album debuted last September at No. 1 on iTunes and Amazon Electronic Albums charts and No. 2 on Billboards's Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
The quintet includes Phipps on keyboards and synths; Hunter Brown, guitar; Jeffree Lerner, percussion; Zach Velmer, drums; and Alana Rocklin, bass.
Phipps says the band had two goals for this album.
"First, we wanted to write music that sounded like the band. Some of our other albums were full studio exploration that might not sound like that in front of an audience. Two, we wanted the quality of the recording to be higher than we've ever accomplished, but also on the level of some of our touchstone favorite recordings. That involved recording part of the album over and over again. We learned a lot, and we feel like now that we've learned all this production technique the next will go a lot quicker."
STS9 is known for fantastic light shows that take their electronic sound into a dream-like realm. Phipps says that light extravaganza will be part of the Track 29 show.
Their music has been primarily instrumental, so concertgoers may be surprised to hear some vocals in the show.
"There are vocals in the newer music and some of the oldest music. People thought that was a departure, but if you go back to our 2005 album, there are a lot of vocals on that album."
But, Phipps adds, vocals are something they use judiciously and "have to mean a lot to us."
"Lyrics and vocal content are where we really try to crystalize the music we are sharing. These days I guess we have a little more to say."
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.