Formation and Lay Your Guns Down EP (2010)

Arise Roots formed in 2010 on the streets of L.A. with one goal in mind: to create a new sound of "quality high grade roots reggae" with a modern feel that appeals to all walks of life without compromising traditional reggae music.^[2]

With Montoya on the drum kit, Rudy Covarrubias on bass, Todd Johnson on keys and harmonies, Arise Roots needed a soulful singer. Karim Israel was added on lead vocals when he answered Montoya's ad on Craigslist. A month later, lead guitarist, Robert Sotelo was added to the band.

On November 16, 2010, the band self-released their first EP titled, Lay Your Guns Down.

Moving Forward (2013)

On February 19, 2013, the band released their first full-length album, Moving Forward, a 16-song LP they self-produced. The album was recorded at one of L.A.'s top studios, Kingsize Soundlabs. It was mastered by veteran recording engineers Brian Dixon and Richard Robinson.^[3]

Love & War (2014)

Their second album, Love & War was released on August 5, 2014. The album was engineered by E.N Young of Tribal Seeds at his Imperial Sound Recording Studio in San Diego, California. It features E.N. Young himself, Rootz Underground, HIRIE, Dan Kelly of Fortunate Youth and other reggae artists on some tracks.^[4]

In 2016, Arise Roots released two summer singles, "Rootsman" featuring reggae legend Capleton and the second single "Crisis" exclusively on vinyl via Angel City Records.^[5]

Pathways (2020)

Arise Roots was featured as one of many reggae bands on Collie Buddz riddim album, Cali Roots Riddim 2020 with their single, "Cali Love", which was produced by Collie Buddz and mixed by Stick Figure's touring guitarist, producer Johnny Cosmic.

On July 30, 2020, the band released their third album, Pathways on Ineffable Records.^[6] However, Ron Montoya did not return and Blake Colie was added on drums.

The 15-track studio album was recorded at 17th Street Recording Studio in Costa Mesa, California. It features Kyle McDonald of Slightly Stoopid, Eric Rachmany of Rebelution, Lutan Fyah, Nattali Rize and Turbulence.^[7]

Arise Roots announced on their social media pages that they will release their first dub album, titled Dubways, an accompaniment to their Pathways album. The LP album is mixed by Zion I Kings and only available digitally on January 27, 2023 on Ineffable Records. The band will be releasing a new single every Friday, starting with their first single, "For Who You Are Dub".^[8]

Studio albums

EPs/Dub Album

Singles

Current band members

• Karim Israel – Lead Vocals (2010–Present)
• Todd "Rootsbubbler" Johnson – Keyboard, Backing Vocals (2010–Present)
• Robert "Sloedub" Sotelo – Lead Guitar (2010–Present)
• Rodolfo "Rudy" Covarrubias – Bass (2010–Present)
• Chris Brennan – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals (2014–Present)
• Hashim "Scorpion" Russell – Drums (2022–Present)

Past band members

• Ron Montoya – Drums (2010–2017)
• Winston Peters – Drums (2017–2018)
• Blake Colie – (2018–2021)
• Angel Salgado – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals (2010–2014)

Subs

• Jamey "Zeb" Dekofsky – Drums
• Jason Beltran – Bass
• Eddie "Chiquis" Lozoya – Rhythm Guitar