Santa Cruz, CA… 10/06/09… A family member of ours has a shortwave radio that we have all been messing around with. We had been using it for sound effects and noises when one day it was left on in the studio. Keyboardist David Phipps’ daughter Aya was playing around with the dials when all of a sudden it stopped on this voice on the super low frequencies of the spectrum. It was a woman’s voice, artificial we later found out, counting off numbers in a very clear and concise way. We became obsessed with what we had heard and for weeks we sat behind the dials trying to find more voices.
There was only one more to be found, the voice we sampled for the beginning of the song “Central”. After a bit of research, we found that these were numbers stations, thought to be coded messages various governments use to send correspondence to spy’s overseas. This of course isn’t publicly acknowledged by any government, even though in 2001 the United States tried the Cuban Five for spying using information they supposedly received and decoded by broadcast from a Cuban numbers station.
STS9 has always been fascinated by numbers; finding this transmission captured our imagination so much that we had to see if there was something more to what we had found. Immediately we enlisted the skills of a crypto-hacker friend of ours to see if she could find any relevance to the sequence we had recorded. When she ran the numbers as coordinates corresponding to a map of military bases in California, she came up with an exact location in Big Sur. We immediately went to check it out and sure enough there was a trail about 10 miles back off of Nacimiento Rd. just south of the park that led to this old abandoned bunker type structure. It was crazy. We were all looking at each other in disbelief but there we were. We crawled through a hole at the bottom of the fence and walked inside. There we found a rusted metal box that had a few pictures, documents, patches, passports, and a knife in it. The first picture was of a document from Allen Dulles to J. Edgar Hoover on brainwashing. The second was of two men standing over a map of the Middle East. That image became the cover of our first single “Atlas” off the upcoming release ‘Ad Explorata’. One of the patches we found was the most intriguing of our finds. It had this physically impossible symbol on it that looked futuristic next to all of the older documents. It’s the symbol we lay over top of every image you will see for the album. In doing some research, we later found an old book of ‘black ops’ military patches at the Prelinger Library that had a brief description of this patch. It was thought to be for a secret unit that first used satellites to gather SIGINT (signal intelligence) from other countries during the Cold War. The story is that this team actually gathered signals from another civilization in our galaxy. Their motto was ‘Ad Explorata, Forward into the Unexplored’.
We’re not ones for conspiracies but sometimes the truth is stranger than anything we could imagine. With this, we present to you STS9’s newest studio release “Ad Explorata” due out November of 2009, inspired by the idea that there is always more to be discovered, manifested by the belief that you can always push towards the unknown and unexplored, and created by the will and desire for constant artistic evolution, expression and change.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
I knew u guys were on a hunt, searching for truth within numbers. Thankyou for this and for the inspiration instilled in every layer of sound u guys put out. Never stop, never quit. Something can and will always be found.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:45 am
That was a fascinating story, and it sounds like the spirit and soul is coming back to the music.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:18 am
“the history of the world is the history of warfare between secret societies.” – R.A.W.
Art is the ONLY way to overcome tyranny, we create the world we claim to describe, and reality becomes a heaven or a hell at our command (if we ever attain the strength to command it). You have clearly tapped in to the meta-programming circuit and have taken creation into your own hands, redefining reality for yourselves and for every biped lucky enough to end up at one of your shows, keep up the good work STS9!
October 6th, 2009 at 4:39 am
Oh btw, i’m on the other side of the globe right now, i wasn’t there to experience this with my own eyes and ears, but thank you, THANK YOU for the SATORI!!!
This song is before my time, but every time i listen to older versions, i get the feeling i’m listening to neurosomatic bliss in audio format. this song fires my neurons like no other! thank you for bring it back and always keep it close to your hearts. and if you ever come back to Humboldt County… *wink wink*
PEACE!
October 6th, 2009 at 6:09 am
that’s a beautiful story. thank you for sharing.
October 6th, 2009 at 7:03 am
one of the coolest and most inspiring ideas behind an album i have ever heard of. Cant wait for the new CD!
October 6th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Seriously guys?
This is cool:’“Ad Explorata” due out November of 2009, inspired by the idea that there is always more to be discovered, manifested by the belief that you can always push towards the unknown and unexplored, and created by the will and desire for constant artistic evolution, expression and change.”
This is ridiculous: “There we found a rusted metal box that had a few pictures, documents, patches, passports, and a knife in it. The first picture was of a document from Allen Dulles to J. Edgar Hoover on brainwashing. The second was of two men standing over a map of the Middle East.”
October 6th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Freaking. Sweet. I love you sts9.
October 6th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Brilliant story. Can’t wait to hear more tracks.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Check out Axe The Cables Facebook Fan Page!!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=130058271745&ref=ts
October 6th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Cant wait to see yall on the east coast (Troys gonan be a nice kick off)
October 6th, 2009 at 9:10 am
What in intriguing story….thanks for sharing and can’t wait to hear the rest of the album!
October 6th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I have to say, the studio mastered version of Atlas is dank. Stoked for some more leaks, and November… but is so far away! How bout one more leak during the tour? Or at least drop some shit during the tour, so I can be ready for NEW YEARS!!!
October 6th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Very cool guys, thanks for giving us a glimpse into your world! So pumped for this aalbum to drop!
October 6th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Deadly Tide.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Astrika, art is part of overcoming tyranny. but just like the argument that “all you need is love” to say that “all you need is art” is also bs. what we need to overcome tyranny is a multi-faceted attack on the system that perpetuates it-industrial capitalism. this includes art, free expression, political movement, protesting, direct action against polluters, destructors, and fascists, lobbying, non-violent and at times violent resistance to the system. as derrick jensen said, part of the good thing about everything being so f’d up is that no matter where you turn there is something to be done. pick something and go for it, but always respect that while some actions may not be for you, they must be done.
also very interesting story boys, would love to hear a little more background info on this stuff.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:15 am
atlas isn’t exactly “Forward into the Unexplored” but i will reserve judgment till i hear the whole CD.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:33 am
alll smiles. cool
:)
October 6th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I love love that miss Aya is in this! go Aya!
October 6th, 2009 at 11:23 am
do you really expect us to swallow this BS.
October 6th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
when I heard Central at Waka this year I knew there was something magical about those haunting numbers…
October 6th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
This story is ridiculous and you guys are all ridiculous for believing it and falling into such a marketing scheme.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Whose passport was in the box???
October 6th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Isn’t that huge army fort right around big sur?? That would make sense
October 6th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
i hope this is a real story, and not something made up to hype up the album.
October 6th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
for some reason i don’t believe that the government forgot to turn off a broadcast of the unencrypted coordinates of a military base. entertaining short story though…
October 6th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Thank you for sharing the story it was very interesting
October 6th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
[...] STS9’s newest song “Atlas” can be found here [...]
October 6th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
You lost me after “Immediately we enlisted the skills of a crypto-hacker friend of ours”…
Everything before that was really cool.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
really guys? really??
October 6th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
doesnt matter if this is true or not. sad that some dont have a sense of imagination anymore. i like the story(and atlas) regardless of if its made up
October 6th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
you guys have been a form of conscious inspiration for me and this is just another reassurance for me…so thank you.
and thanks for the satori too btw. appreciated.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
looks like a solid show tonight, keep up the variation of old and new please. this is what gets me excited.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
just please save satori for minneapolis!
October 6th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I think people should give the tribe some more credit. They wouldn’t lie to their own fanbase, since the album will probably only be released on their website. Im with RAGIN, “sad that some dont have a sense of imagination anymore.” Be patient, the Tribe delivers.
…Is it new years yet?
October 6th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
we are all getting brainwashed.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:52 am
i stand by my statement, artistic expression takes many forms. but point taken, we need action, we need resistance. in my opinion this too is art. i also agree that all we need is love, action and resistance can be expressions of love. if it’s just action and resistance without art and love, i think this is counter-productive, farmers move out and pigs move in. i like Nietzsche’s definition of art, and i see this in STS9. Story may be true or may not, but this is their art and i think it’s awesome.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:00 am
Anyone remeber “Gene Pool”,incl..Jay Murphy and saxton,and the everso talented Geno………Im puttin this in the same realm.Kin 92..
October 7th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Nice story guys! I like your imagination. I did a little research of my own and from what I have found the actual motto is “Ad Inexplorata”. Used by the Edwards Air Force Base flight test center. http://search.dma.mil/search?q=ad+inexplorata&btnG.x=0&btnG.y=0&client=Edwards&proxystylesheet=Edwards&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&output=xml_no_dtd&site=Edwards
October 7th, 2009 at 8:53 am
I was going to buy the album regardless of the story..It may not be true, but we don’t know. Dismissing it is ignorance. Entertaining the fact that it is true is simply food for thought. I think we can all agree that our gov’t doesn’t tell us a very large amount of things. This is simply pointing that out: fake or not. See you tonight in the 402!!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Ragin knows. Those who lack imagination are gay.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:08 am
who are we to question the authenticity of this? if u don’t believe it then don’t but please don’t slander or denounce someone u don’t know. i highly doubt any one of us posting comments here knows any one member of the band personally, so it is incredibly ignorant of anyone to post negative disbelief toward the story and inspiration that STS9 has so generously shared with us. Respect and appreciate, otherwise move on and look for ur truth elsewhere.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:10 am
CCOLE – worrd! i agree with what you’re sayin. save your drama for your mama..
October 7th, 2009 at 11:29 am
ha, what a great story true or not! love it. y’all inspire me to think differently.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:35 am
scooby-doo??
October 7th, 2009 at 11:39 am
if you’re not exploring, you’re not learning. and if you’re not learning, you’re not growing. and if you’re not growing, you’re not living. faith in the life of the tribal melodies evokes happiness!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:44 am
and ccole knows his shit
keep the faith council!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
So I was with sts9 when they went on this trip and we found all those things that inspired this album. Its true, anyone who doesn’t believe it is just wrong or afraid of the truth. The scary thing is what we found that they didn’t list- Frozen Walt Disney and Dead Sea Scrolls. What an amazing band!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
the truth is out there,,,,,,see yu in the egytian room. much love+respect
October 7th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I want in.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
regardless of the truth of this, it goes to show how purposeless it is to blindly believe in something that someone says. truth is individual in nature, and it is something that must be found through EXPLORING and QUESTIONING. purpose and meaning is a personal experience, not a universal truth. the external will constantly leaves us clues (in this case, radio transmissions) on the journey to self-realization. everything happens in this life for a very delicate and profound reason, and this story has reminded me to stay open to the infinite possibilities of this universe, and to appreciate the struggle for the growth it allows for. with honesty, an open-mind, and willingness the door to a higher level of consciousness opens. and remember, this is simply my truth, take it or leave it. thanks STS9 and tribal council, this is why my heart will always be with you… love+light to all
October 7th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
http://bit.ly/uxuR9
October 8th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I’m digging your style.
J. Peterman shirt ad:
Havana, July 1, 1898.
The Spanish occupy a dominating position on the high ground.
The Americans are bogged down on the road below.
Unwilling to move forward. Unable to retreat.
Colonel Roosevelt emerges from the woods on horseback and finds the men of the Ninth Regiment in his way.
“If you don’t wish to go forward, let my men pass.”
He got the Ninth to spring into line with his Rough Riders, and they charged up that famous hill.
Who wouldn’t want to emulate a man like that?
1895 USA Campaign Shirt (No. 2554). An almost exact reproduction of the shirt issued to the Rough Riders.
100% pure wool pullover with a tight twill weave to keep out the elements. Brushed on the backside, so it’s remarkably soft. Three-button front closure. Urea buttons. One-piece collar; button cuffs. People are apt to follow you.
In a word: “Bully.” Imported.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:57 am
“The story is that this team actually gathered signals from another civilization in our galaxy”….oh man. Let’s kick this shitinto hyperdrive.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I love EASTER EGG HUNTS!! Seriously though, why do so many people get their panties in a wad? Story or not, who honestly cares?! Do something better with your time then log onto STS9.com to criticize people who are just doing their thing!! Tribe’s TRUE fanbase knows better. If you ain’t tribin’ you ain’t vibin’. BOOGIE DOWN
October 8th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
i just hope that sound tribe respects their fans enough to tell the truth and not fool spunions into false realities. its all just a little convenient that this happens so soon after peaceblaster, and that of all people to discover some shady things its sound tribe, leader of our realities.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
absolutly mind blowing. it just goes to show the amount of passion and determination you fellas have to create art
October 9th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Thank you for doing what you do soundtribe. Keep on helping people like me get through hard times with the beautiful music you produce. Ccole knows what’s up. The fall tour is sick nastiness so far, keep on ragin it and can’t wait til the Halloween throwdown!
October 9th, 2009 at 10:09 am
I love EASTER EGG HUNTS!! Seriously though, why do so many people get their panties in a wad? Story or not, who honestly cares?! Do something better with your time then log onto STS9.com to criticize people who are just doing their thing!! Tribe’s TRUE fanbase knows better. If you ain’t tribin’ you ain’t vibin’. BOOGIE DOWN http://bit.ly/CpkYq
October 11th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Wow. Thats an awesome journey/ adeventure. I am ready for AD EXPLORATA to digest my mind with thoughts, reminisce and discover new quests. Peace
October 12th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Thanks for your Art STS9…you make it all right
October 12th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Yo Boys,
When are you gonna drop the next single, or info on the release date, or info on the New Years Party? Im on the edge of my seat y’all!
… is it New Years yet?
October 12th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Chicago House of Blues 8-8-09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhzKofrTl7s!!
October 13th, 2009 at 1:39 am
I am so excited to hear more tracks! I LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING!
October 14th, 2009 at 7:00 am
to oklahmoie: you posted on a ad explorata article, and seeing as atlas is the only song we know is on ad explorata, tell me how you think this song is beautiful????
October 15th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Really? I knew y’all like to promote like crazy, which I totally support. But to create a ridiculously crazy story up about how AE came about is pushing it. Y’all never cease to amaze me with the stuff you do and say.
October 15th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
IAN KS – IONIK, beautifully spoken.
October 15th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
hell of a tale. acl was amazing. stubbs was even more so. you guys really know how to bring down the house. keep doin what you’re doin because the art you produce really touches me and so many others.
October 18th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for the Satori and the mix of the old and new so far this fall. It’s songs like that that keep me coming back.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:13 am
hey thanks for a great fall tour so far guys really look forward to new year please bring some gobnuggets to denver
October 19th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
I agree samantha
October 19th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
A. ya’ll Give
SoundTribeSector 9
massive props..
there the greatest at what all of us do!!!
October 21st, 2009 at 6:05 am
What’s up with all the haters? Skeptics are pervading our society and trying to ruin any chance we will ever have of creating a more universally enjoyably world. Dreams are the only thing moving us. If you want to step on your own dreams, that’s sad, but stop spreading your unfounded ignorance through the www. STS9 creates the type of music which boldly pronounces honesty (Have any of the haters here been to one of their shows). They aren’t a gimmick band, so what would make you believe they are creating gimmicks to sell their album. I love you Sound Tribe and I’m way pumped for the new album!
p.s. The show in Columbus killed!
October 21st, 2009 at 8:43 am
If anyone wants to go check it out, I’m down.. where’s the trailhead, how do we access?
November 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Here are a few comments to other users, in light of STS9:
First off, have some respect people:
JAKE: There is more to life, and to music then you could ever fit down your throat brother, open your mind.. and your mouth.
1ST TOM: STS9 doesn’t NEED a marketing scheme, their work is so unique, it markets itself!
CHIP: Go check it out for yourself!!
BWC: Go research a better way to spend your afternoon!!!
CCOLE: here, we have one grounded, well-spoken individual.. refreshing in contrast to some posts i’ve read here. Ignorance is bliss, right man? I don’t understand why some of these people are even ON this site!?
BOOGIE-DOWN: Love your style. In response, some people’s level of consciousness is so shallow they can’t even BEGIN to comprehend what goes on in (and beyond) this world.. i.e. numerology, spiritual enlightenment, and other Next Level Sh*t!!!
STS9 members are artists, innovators, and real people.
Any pessimists on this site could really learn something today if they were just open to all the possibilities…
STS9. >>The Soundtrack to my Life.
Many thanks. Much respect.
Dan Marcson
November 18th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Can’t wait for more Tribe in just little time! I’ve been bumpin to your Omaha show for weeks now in anticipation. Keep sending those vibes.