Australian bass maestro Opiuo teams up with New Zealand’s Ashez to breathe new life into the electronic scene with their vibrant and groovy EP, ‘Underground,’ set for release on June 21st. This four-track EP spotlights the unique artistry of Opiuo and Ashez, each track enriching the collection with sophisticated yet energetic bass soundscapes, resulting in a compelling and dynamic masterpiece.
Opiuo shared his excitement: “Me and Ashez have been very close for years now. We met through our good friend Clozee (I heard his music while staying at her house one time) and I was instantly like ‘who is THIS?!’. I played a couple of his songs in my set (I rarely play anyone but my own) and instantly wanted to connect and collaborate. After some internet sessions, we met in real life and the creativity just flowed seamlessly. I’m so proud of this music. It’s moodier, a little darker, but that’s what a good collaboration should be, a blend of both of you creating something fresh and new. I’m thrilled to finally share this music with everyone! There’s nothing more beautiful and rewarding than writing music with friends!”
The EP kicks off with its lead single, ‘Underground,’ beginning with a mystical melody that builds into captivating leads and transitions seamlessly into intricate bass drops. The track, enhanced by the vocal phrase “this is the wave of the underground,” climaxes with a dynamic shift into a complex call-and-response segment, gripping listeners with pulsating bass hits.
Ashez reflects on their collaboration: “Oscar and I became friends after he discovered my music and reached out. I was stoked, having been a fan for years, and now I’m even more stoked to announce our EP release. We quickly realized we worked extremely well as a team, and our first single release, ‘Bash Plate,’ received so much hype and support. Oscar invited me to stay at his place in Byron Bay for a week before a festival we were both playing at. We started a few different projects and have been refining them ever since. I’m so excited to release this EP, as both Oscar and I have been playing these tracks out for ages now. It’s always awesome working with your mates, and we think this EP is a great representation of both of us and our sounds.”
Next up, ‘Bobby Dazzler’ emerges as the groove dance anthem, featuring a lively four-on-the-floor drum pattern, clever motifs, and rhythmic bass hits. Following that, ‘Ricochet’ injects a dynamic, cryptic bass into the mix, while closing the EP is ‘My Love,’ which instills a beloved, sentimental aura and a trance of exploration.
In essence, this four-track EP offers a fresh bass experience, showcasing new realms of creativity through the collaboration of Opiuo and Ashez. Together, they elevate live bass to new heights, offering listeners thrilling sonic adventures.
Opiuo Tour Dates
May 25 | St. Petersburg, FL | Coastal Creative
May 30 | Calgary, AB | Commonwealth
June 1 | Vancouver, BC | Hollywood Theatre
June 13 | Washington, DC | Soundcheck
June 14 | Richmond, VA | The Broadberry
June 15 | Brooklyn, NY | House Of Yes
June 21 -23 | Flagstaff, AZ | June Jam Solstice Music Festival
June 22 | Santa Fe, NM | Meow Wolf
June 28 | Bellingham, WA | Wild Buffalo House Of Music
July 12 | Dallas, TX | Deep Ellum Art Company
July 13 | Austin, TX | Kingdom
August 22-24 | Baxter, IA | Balance Festival 2024
August 23 | Denver, CO | Reel Works Denver
September 5-8 | Aztec, NM | Unison Festival 2024
October 5| Berkeley, CA | The UC Theatre
OPIUO: INSTAGRAM I SPOTIFY I TWITTER I SOUNDCLOUD I FACEBOOK
ASHEZ: INSTAGRAM I SPOTIFY I TWITTER I SOUNDCLOUDI FACEBOOK
