Biography
The Movement is an American reggae band formed in Columbia, South Carolina, in 2003. The original lineup featured childhood friends Joshua Swain and Jordan Miller, who reconnected to create music blending rock, reggae, hip-hop, and acoustic elements. They were later joined by DJ Jon Ruff, known as 'DJ Riggles,' completing the initial trio. Their debut album, 'On Your Feet,' released in March 2004, was recorded in just three eight-hour sessions and has since become a staple in the reggae-rock genre. The album is listed at number nine on The Pier's '10 Essential Rock Reggae Albums.'
In 2008, the band underwent significant changes. DJ Riggles departed, and Swain and Miller relocated to Philadelphia to work with producer Chris DiBeneditto, known for his collaborations with G. Love & Special Sauce and Slightly Stoopid. During this period, they met drummer Gary Jackson and bassist Jason 'Smiles' Schmidt, who joined the band, solidifying the lineup. This collaboration led to the release of their second studio album, 'Set Sail,' which reached number seven on iTunes' Top 100 Reggae Albums.
The band's journey continued with the release of 'One More Night' in 2010, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. However, internal changes occurred when Swain left the band in 2010, and Miller departed in 2012. Swain returned in 2012, leading to the release of 'Side By Side' in 2013, which debuted at number two on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.
In 2016, The Movement released 'Golden,' which topped the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and reached number one on iTunes. The album was also voted 2016 Album of the Year by Surf Roots Radio. Their seventh studio album, 'Ways of the World,' released in 2019, debuted at number one on the Billboard Reggae Chart and remained in the top 10 for over 40 consecutive weeks. The album featured collaborations with artists like Stick Figure, Iya Terra, and Jacob Hemphill of SOJA.
The band's eighth studio album, 'Always With Me,' was released on July 29, 2022, under their R4RE Records imprint. This album explores new musical territories while staying true to their signature sound. It includes collaborations with Slightly Stoopid, Iration, Clinton Fearon, HIRIE, and Soom T. 'Always With Me' was considered for a Grammy Award nomination for Best Reggae Album at the 65th Grammy Awards in 2023.
As of May 2025, The Movement continues to tour and produce music, maintaining a strong presence in the reggae scene. Their lineup includes founding member Joshua Swain (lead vocals and guitar), Jason Schmidt (bass), Gary Jackson (drums), Matt Goodwin (keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist), and Kyle Jerome (saxophone and percussion). The band's dedication to blending genres and pushing the boundaries of reggae music has solidified their reputation as innovators in the alternative reggae scene.