Just over a year ago, New Zealand-born producer Opiuo released “Bash Plate,” a bass collaboration with fellow Kiwi ASHEZ. But their time together in the studio was just beginning.
During the performance of Opiuo's masterpiece at Red Rocks with the Opulent Orchestra last May, the electronic music luminary may have tried out some new identifications among the crowd. Upon being released Opiuo and the opulent orchestra live album in November, “Bash Plate” and “Candy”, a then-new release with ASHEZ, were included as original bonus tracks.
Fast forward to May of this year, when the dynamic duo released the title track of their EP. Equal parts sinister and seductive, “Underground” recalls the feeling you may have experienced when you were younger: attending that dark, dirty warehouse rave party you snuck away to as a teenager, but which made you feel very alive.
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EDM.com He met with Opiuo and ASHEZ before the launch to discuss their relationship and the collaboration process during the creation of the Underground PE.
Also prior to the EP's release, “Bobby Dazzler” was delivered two weeks early, adding fuel to the flames of anticipation from eager fans. The two talk about how this track was another unknown ID that was first flushed at the spectacular Red Rocks.
“It was really cool because we had a couple of songs [at that point]” says Opiuo. “I had a middle section of the set without the orchestra, and these songs were very fresh and we were still trying them out.”
“I was in the crowd,” adds ASHEZ about experiencing Opiuo performing their collaborations live for the first time in front of thousands of people. “It was pretty impressive.”
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Following a departure from his usual sound, “Ricochet” launches listeners into a spatial and temporal exploration.
“The idea was to have multiple rhythm patterns with different tempos, and you couldn't find the beat until the beat finally hit,” ASHEZ explains. “And then once the beat hits, it all makes sense.”
Closing the EP, “My Love” leaves listeners with fascinating feelings of devotion through inventive sonic expression with complete synergy. “It was a good combination between us,” Opiuo says. They both agreed that this “felt more like a total collaboration… 100% the two of us.”
“For this one, we just started writing and we didn't have a direction,” ASHEZ shares matter-of-factly. “It slowly evolved into this.”
“We just made the most of it when we were together,” adds Opiuo, reflecting on their journey. “We never [worked on] through the Internet.” By doing so, he allowed more emotions and heart to flow. “It was so fluid.”
Fans can catch Opiuo and ASHEZ performing together in Denver for “a very special show” in August, according to the former. He saying The show will offer “a more intimate warehouse-style party debuting something new that [he’s] I had never done it before.”
Listen to Underground Below and find the new EP on streaming platforms. here.
FOLLOW OPIUO:
Facebook: facebook.com/opiuo
X: x.com/OPIUO
Instagram: instagram.com/opiuo
Spotify: spoti.fi/3nbCwJa
FOLLOW ASHEZ:
Facebook: facebook.com/ASHEZMUSIC
X: x.com/ashezmusic
Instagram: instagram.com/ashezmusic
Spotify: bit.ly/4c7IlPQ
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