Have it your way

Zion Rock Godchaux seemed to be the more talkative one of the two. Maybe this stems from his role as the vocalist for Boombox, an Alabama-based band specializing in the seemingly bizarre marriage of sounds from the improv-friendly jazz era and pulsating beats of early 90’s techno house music.

Or maybe it has more to do with what Zion describes as a special connection he and music-making partner Russ Randolph have when it comes to music that allowed him to articulate both of their thoughts.

“We had a natural connection, Russ and I, we tend to kind of chill in the same brain. You can sense when we first met, we were looking at the same page,” Godchaux said.

Either way, it was with one brain that this dynamic duo of fresh sounds described the audience-centered, go-with-the-flow performances they have upcoming in West Michigan this month.

Despite having a basic bass line and some vocal hooks, Godchaux describes their tracks as mere cornerstones to build off of during their live performances, meaning all bets are off and their musical numbers can vary wildly from night to night. It’s that close connection between band mates that allows Randolph, DJ/Music Producer/drummer to match whatever is organically evolving with Godchaux, who picks up the vocals and guitar for the group.

With shows they describe as a mini utopia, audience members can expect a performance tailor made just for them. The duo assesses the vibe of the audience before starting each show, customizing their performances to fit whatever they think the crowd needs, and always trying to stay in sync with their emotions.

“That’s our goal going in to it, to give people a release and so that’s kind of the underlying theme of the whole show. Some sort of release,” Godchaux added.

This improv between the two is what gives their music the subtle aftertaste of a bygone era while still maintaining the flavor of catchy, danceable, techno beats. Godchaux describes their sound as a melting pot of American music that blends everything from reggae, electronica, R&B, 80’s hip-hop, jazz, and even disco.

“We’re not aiming to sound like a certain genre. It’s more of just all the different music we’ve been into all our lives one way or another rubbed off on us,” Godchaux said.

With a new album released in the spring (“Visions of Backbeat”), Boombox is touring around the Midwest this summer, and will be making two stops in west Michigan. July 20^th they will be hitting up the Intersection in Grand Rapids, and on July 21^st they’ll head to Kalamazoo to play at Papa Pete’s. Both shows cost $10, and since the duo promises a different show every night, it might even be worth it to check out both shows.

But Godchaux isn’t one to try to convince someone to come see their show.

“We’re not trying to sell anything on stage; it’s not really about us, it’s about the audience. Our shows are a real experience. If I were going to see a show, that’s what I would want; a band that’s going to give it to me real. I don’t want a band to have some pre-arranged idea of how to blow my mind,” he said.

But with Boombox, anything can happen (and it probably will).