Thanks to the accessibility of technology and the combined outpouring of new talent, the music industry is constantly propelling itself forward while attempting to remain true to it’s natural roots. Within the first half of this decade, I’ve seen a complete resurgence of live instrumentation alongside electronic productions. Across the genres and between artists like EOTO to Chase and Status, Pretty Lights to Russ Liquid and Late Night Radio, Griz and Gramatik – there are hints of jazz and slam poetry; the livetronica movement is gaining momentum and jam bands are no longer a thing of the past. There is a strong squad of current producers that are as progressive as they are regressive; combining the modern want of whomp and bass coursing through our veins like electricity, while our minds warp around succulent synths, harmonic chord progressions and ethereal melodies.
Starting with Sea of Dreams and the Gem and Jam Festival, I’ve been blessed to be front and center from phenomenal live performances this year; so going into Lightning in a Bottle, my hopes were sky high that I’d get my mind blown as I went on a five day, extrasensory adventure. Boy, was I ever right! I’d only listened to Opiuo a handful of times before LIB, but each time – their energetic, pulsing rhythm, sultry vocals and whimsical melodies wafted through my world with delirious tones and I kept wanting more. I was finally getting to witness their genius live, and with a live band? Day made and they did not disappoint.
Part funk, part soul, and all the way groovy, Opiou makes the beats that makes everyone want to move their feet; his music defies generation gaps and you could easily pin him for twenty years too early for his time, or twenty years to late, but I’d like to think of him as right on time. Hailing from New Zealand, Opiuo is the definition of musical genius. Since LIB, I’ve no kidding put probably 200 plays on this Soundcloud playlist they put together for Montreal’s Frank & Oak; if this can’t get you in the mood – nothing will!
On Friday, June 26 The Opiuo Band will get the El Rey Theatre movin’ and groovin’ with their delectable wobbles and body moving melodies. Doors open at 8pm, let the good vibes roll! If you can’t make the LA date, don’t fret – they’ll be cruising through the United States until then.
For more about Opiuo and The Opiuo Band, hit up their socials:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Bandcamp
Photos by Daniel Leist Photography
A few weeks before Danny and I left for Lightning in a Bottle, we haphazardly stumbled across one of the cutest sights I’d ever seen in the middle of Eagle Rock. We were on our Sunday stroll through the neighborhood, and for the past few weeks we’d talked about the strange and almost human-like mannequin in the middle of the road. Approaching from the other side, we finally made out a sign – a sign for Know Reality Pie. We took one long look at the pie truck, parked delicately next to open grass and a pop-up cafe, and then nodded in agreement: this was it.
weekend event they were calling ‘A Taste of Eagle Rock’, featuring dozens of our fantastic local food joints, some local drinks and – hopefully – a great turnout from the town; they were looking for an event photographer, and it just so happened – I was engaged to one! After we exchanged laughs and business cards, and enjoyed another drink or two, Danny and started on our way home and looked at each other with excitement coursing through our veins. This is something we’ve been wanting for so long, and now – we were about to get it!
Some days, I feel calm and collected – almost like I rolled into the right side of the world, where stop lights shift in synchronicity while birds chirp in time. Other days, which as of late have been more and more frequent, I seem to wake up wired for awkwardness at every turn. A misstep here, can’t find my flip flops there, where did I ever misplace my keys – laptop – headphones – charger – brain, how did I end up on this side of town. Let’s be honest, those last few can become a never-ending, choose your misadventure tale where I invariably end up with a good story but never a dull moment. But, isn’t that the point of life: to smell roses on walkways that you’d never intended to be on.
Now, everything in moderation (..including moderation): you don’t need to go bonkers and buy the whole store or get an incredible luxury item that doesn’t fit your lifestyle. But a lovely trinket here and there to remind yourself that you’re lovely and loved surely can’t hurt!
The Bouncy Kitty 
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