STS9’s “Human Dream”: Inside the Band’s First Self-Recorded Album and Alana Rocklin’s Next-Level Tone
STS9 has returned with Human Dream, which continues the band’s incredible blend of electronic and instrumental music. Although it marks their thirteenth album, it marks a first as they recorded it themselves in their own studio. The 19-track collection explores the “human condition and humanity’s place within the cosmos.” As you can imagine, there are some huge, cinematic soundscapes.
“The ‘Human Dream’ signifies an awakening of perception from the limitations of the physical world to the infinite power of human imagination, where art and music are not just forms of expression, but pathways to the deeper truths that lie beyond the surface of our everyday lives,” the band writes. “The universe reveals itself not in grand declarations but in subtle shifts, a shadow moving across a wall, the soft gradient of dusk surrendering to night. ‘Human Dream’ asks us to notice and be present with the mysteries that surround us. It is the quiet realization that we are both small and infinite, bound by gravity and yet reaching, always, toward the light.”
STS9’s ethereal sounds are rooted by the incredible bass work of Alana Rocklin, who joined the band over a decade ago. On a recent episode of Quick Hits with Ari Fink, she said her tone game has reached a new peak.
“I’ve been achieving the best bass sounds of my life, honestly,” Rocklin said. “The Rupert Neve RNDI has changed my world. Ever since I started recording with it… It became so crucial in the studio that I replaced my live rig with it.”
In a behind-the-scenes video, Rocklin also explained that one of her favorite songs from the new record is “Year Infinity.”
“It’s such a fun song to play. It has so many great bass moments and it’s challenging,” she said.
Give it a listen, and you’ll see why.
Human Dream is available now on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other streaming platforms. Physical editions can be found on their website.
Human Dream Track List:
- Glass z-13
- Like I Do
- Strange Games
- Year Infinity
- Shaky Ground
- It’s Alright
- Life’s a Symphony in Unity, It’s Alright
- Big Basin
- Reminisce
- Lift You Up
- Dusk
- Home Park interlude
- Peachtree
- Walk the Sky
- Never, Never
- Balancing
- Menacer
- Portal to the Starry Path
- Presence of Light
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
