What is a Sound System?
What do you play?
Two Sevens Sound is built on a foundation of reggae. Our model is the Jamaican sound system, and much of the music we play originated from collaborative, spontaneous performance at the dances of old. We aim to re-create that atmosphere and make music in this tradition - live dub, freestying, and rub-a-dub. But we play much more than reggae. The history of sound systems stretches back to the 70s when they began as a melting pot of muscial styles. Clement Dodd, the founder of Downbeat Sound, made several trips to NYC to amass a collection of R&B and soul records to play down in Jamaica - this helped Rocksteady make the jump into Reggae. In later years, Hip Hop influenced the course of Dancehall. Two Sevens continues this tradition of mixing styles to a reggae vibe - you might hear us play soul, funk, latin jazz, afrobeat, hip-hop, bass, funk carioca, and even rock. Exposing people to the new thing has always been how systems keep their edge.
Where does the name come from?
"Two Sevens Clash" is a song written by the late Joseph Hill of the roots reggae band Culture in 1977. The song warns of numerological bad luck associated with two sevens appearing in the same year. It's also the year I was born. The chorus asks "wat a liiv an bambaie?" (patios for "what will be left by and by") when the two sevens clash? Although nothing specifically apocalyptic happened that year, it was a dread time for the world, and worth remembering.
How Many Watts?
700 - a little small compared to champion sounds, which can weigh in the tens of thousands of watts. Still, 700 watts will raise the roof of any house party. It's about 6 times louder than your home stereo, with 7 times the thump.
What's a Sound Clash?
When two sounds meet in the same space and compete against one another. Two sevens will accept any challenge by rival sounds. We ain't no dibby dibby sound!
