Interview by Blake Morneau
New Zealand native Opiuo (pronounced: oh-PEE-oh) has been an ever-growing presence in the gigantic EDM scene. His funk-rooted weirdness has been winning over dance enthusiasts all over the world. We caught him on his Canadian winter tour, fresh off his recent win for Best Electronic Album (Meraki) at the New Zealand Music Awards, to talk about remixing his award-winning album, our shared love of Shambhala Music Festival and his weakness for Thai food.
How would you describe Opiuo to someone who doesn’t know a lot about electronic music?
I call it “funkadelic bass music,” because my two things are always funk and bass, in some way. At least there’s one of those elements in there, and even though there’s electronic noise, there’s not always electronic bass. For some people, they can still hear the melodic vibe and funk elements going on. I also say there’s a hip-hop tempo, too, because that vibe is always in there.
You used to be a drummer. Makes sense that you’d lean towards harder, rhythmic, funky beats. What parts of your drumming background do you carry into your production and performance?
All the producing I do has very simple drums that are locked into the groove. I play live drums when I perform. Well, it’s not always drums I’m playing, but synths and other little pieces, too. Drums, for me, are just the background for things. All my music has that straight up groove that you can stay attached to, even where there’s a bunch of crazy shit going on.
When you’re putting together a project like Meraki: Remixed, do you set out to put together an entire album like that, or does it come organically when you realize that so many people are interested in working with your music?
I just realized very quickly when I first started talking about the idea that there was a lot of interest. I started asking people I wanted to work with, who I was a fan of, but as the word got out I started getting stuff back from people I hadn’t even been in contact with.
Was there anyone that you didn’t think you’d get that really excited you?
Oh yeah, Lunar Sound out of Mexico. Not enough people know about them. I thought they might be too busy, but they were on board and I think it might be the best song they’ve ever done [“La Fong” ft. D-Sens]. I really love it.
I, and many people I know, discovered you at Shambhala, where you’re a bit of a mainstay now. What is your favourite Shambhala memory?
Probably the first one I went to in 2010. I’d never been before and didn’t really know anything about it. I just remember cruising along by myself in the day and seeing… you know how everyone always calls festivals a “family” and that whole thing? I remember noticing that it truly was a giant family there. Everyone was looking out for each other and you’re already friends with everyone. That really stuck with me, for sure.
When you’re back home from touring, what’s the food you’re reaching for when you get home? What’s that comfort food?
Thai food, definitely. There’s a large immigrant community near where I live, so there are lots of good spots around my studio and home. A lot of Thai and Vietnamese food.
Opiuo‘s Meraki Remixed is available through his Bandcamp page.
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