[The Audiofiles] Get a Dose of ‘Honesty’ With The Russ Liquid Test

November 1, 2016November 1, 2016Leave a comment

All Photos from Daniel Leist Photography

Back in 2015 when Russ Liquid brought Andrew Block onto the stage at the Gem and Jam Festival to debut his side-project ‘Stupid Americans’, it was evident that their musical bond extended far past what had manifested in front of us on stage. Between our elated eardrums and happy, dancing feet – we were fully immersed in musical bliss, swimming sweetly through sonic waves. In a musical culture that more often than not rewards pre-programmed sound and demands levels of perfection that only pre-planned sets can deliver, it’s refreshing to experience the ever-evolving complexity of intelligent music that stems from live instrumentation and musical improvisation; the Russ Liquid continually dishes out just that. As we walked away from Gem and Jam, we couldn’t stop gushing about how their sound, and their inspired, live collaborative process could blossom into something bigger than either performer could have imagined. Fast forward into 2016 and a year and a half later, The Russ Liquid Test quartet is actively shaping the sound of the future.

The collaborative brainchild of Andrew Block, AJ Hall, Alvin Ford and none other than Russ Liquid himself – The Russ Liquid Test is in a genre all of its own: an avant-garde mix of Future Jazz and Livetronica, seamlessly pulling elements from Big Band, Funk and Soul. They made their festival debut at this past Lightning in a Bottle, winning over the dancefloor with a Special Sunday set. The Russ Liquid Test’s debut EP 1984 is set to drop on November 11th on Griz’s imprint All Good Records. Until then – we have a few salacious new singles to chew on and digitally digest.

Their debut track is the soulful, gritty ‘Honesty’, a single that both pays musical homage to the greats of the New Orleans Music Scene while manifesting their ethos for a new era of music. Moody and atmospheric, the vocals pull at the listener’s heartstrings with a slow, seductive quality that’s echoed by the Big Band sound of vibrant brass. Joining The Russ Liquid Test on the track are Alvin Ford Jr of Dumpstaphunk and Pretty Lights notoriety on drums, and a horn section fully equipped with New Orleans players like Eric Bloom of Lettuce and the Aaron Neville Band. “Honesty” is available for streaming and download.

“We wanted to create something that embodies both the modern sound of electronic music with the rich heritage of New Orleans music. so we mashed up electronic production with the sounds of New Orleans second line in a very unique way that is both future and vintage.” – Russ Liquid

The second single off of 1984 is the Hip Hop heavy ‘Land of the Free‘ with none other than Mr. Lif. Pairing poignant lyrics on our current social and economic climate against the wailing, rally cries of the guitar – ‘Land of the Free‘ capitalizes on a cross-pollination of genres, expertly fusing Rap, Jazz and Live Electronica into a musical masterpiece.

For more on Russ Liquid and All Good Records, head to their social media channels –

Russ Liquid: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Bandcamp

All Good Records: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud

[The Audiofiles] Get Your Rocks Off at Gem and Jam’s 10 Year Anniversary

December 15, 2015December 15, 2015Leave a comment

A shining beacon of the Electronic Music Scene in Tucson, the Gem and Jam Festival returns for their 10 year anniversary to celebrate both the symbiosis of music and art within the conscious festival community as well as the love of precious minerals and gems featured at Arizona’s fabled Gem Show.

Thrown in collaboration with Infinite Music Productions, New Earth MUZiQ, Euphonic Conceptions & Challenger, the Gem and Jam Festival constantly evolves the perception of dance music with a livetronica take – almost every act you’ll find at the festival includes live elements within their performance. This year, headliners for the event include Beats Antique, The Polish Ambassador, Lettuce, Minnesota, Ott and so many more – plus a plethora of unreal live painters. Last year hosted the likes of Alex + Allyson Grey, The Welch Brothers, Benedigital, Ngene and Jef Logan; this years lot is slated to be just as magical. And let’s not forget, the magical, mystical and magnificent minerals and gems on dazzling display – best believe you’ll leave with at least a few of them!

For those that hit up the event last year, you’re in luck – four more hours of music have been added to each day!

Details
Dates: February 12-14
1102 W Grant Rd
Tucson, AZ 85705
Doors open at 12pm each night
Music goes from 12pm – 1am nightly

If you’re itching to get your rocks off early, head to San Francisco or Los Angeles for one of the official Gem and Jam Pre-parties with Shpongle, Ott and Alex + Allyson Grey!

San Francisco @ 1015 Folsom on 1/14
RSVP // Tickets

Los Angeles @ The Belasco on 1/15
RSVP // Tickets

For a look into last year’s magic, take a look at the official aftermovie –

Life at Gem & Jam 2015 (Official After Movie) from The Art of Bohl on Vimeo.

For more on the Gem and Jam Festival, head to their socials –

Website | Facebook | Twitter

[The Audiofiles] The Opiuo Band Lights Up LA As They Close Their North American Tour

July 1, 2015July 14, 2015Leave a comment

After an animated, live performance at this year’s Lightning in a Bottle Festival, The Opiuo Band set their sights on their North American tour – crushing cities, one by one. Hailing from Australia, Opiuo has been taking the EDM world by story with his unique fusion of Funk, Hip Hop and Soul. When he’s not headlining shows on his own, he has a full livetronica band featuring a kickass drummer, guitarist, saxophonist and a sultry vocalist.

Last Friday, they came through Los Angeles’ famed El Rey Theater with local Headtron favorite jOBOT on opening duties and literally blew the roof off of the joint.Roaring through revamped hits off their Meraki and Butternut Slap EP’s, the crowd dissolved in a heated frenzy on the dancefloor – a perfect round-up of their tour.

For the full album, head to our Facebook Page

All photos by Daniel Leist Photography.

For more on Opiuo, head to his socials –

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Bandcamp

[The Audiofiles] A Funk Soul Revival with The Opiuo Band at the El Rey on 6/26

June 10, 2015June 10, 2015Leave a comment

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.

Tickets | More Information

For more about Opiuo and The Opiuo Band, hit up their socials:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Bandcamp

Photos by Daniel Leist Photography