Opiuo delivers a genre-defying fusion of auditory and visual experiences, blending infectious electronic music with elements of funk, soul, psychedelia, and bass-driven rhythms. Centered on positivity and movement, his music inspires listeners to dance and feel uplifted.

Born in rural New Zealand, Opiuo’s early years were shaped by his parents hosting music festivals on their land. Immersed in the burgeoning electronic music scene of Aotearoa, he embraced self-expression, dance, and powerful sound systems, forming the foundation of his artistic identity.

Now based in Australia, Oscar tours globally, bringing his electrifying music to renowned festivals and venues like Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, and Coachella. Over a decade of performances has seen him innovate with various formats, from self-built orchestras and symphonic choirs to his Opiuo Band and immersive solo shows.

In 2014, Opiuo won the New Zealand Music Award for Best Electronic Album. His extensive discography includes five full-length albums, ten EPs, and numerous singles and remixes.The Aussie producer is no stranger to the Denver scene, having headlined venues like Bluebird Theater, Ogden Theater, Mission Ballroom, and Red Rocks. His latest album is a live recording of his iconic sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in May 2023, featuring The Opulent Orchestra.

Opiuo recently announced his next Denver show, headlining ReelWorks on August 23rd. The 3500-capacity venue promises to be his most intimate concert yet. Among the openers is New Zealand’s Ashez who just recently dropped a collaborative EP with Opiuo titled Underground.

The four-track EP showcases the individual expressions of Opiuo and Ashez’s profound artistry in the bass realm. Every track enriches the compilation with refined bass soundscapes, delivering a sophisticated yet dynamic masterpiece.

We had a chance to chat with Opiuo ahead of his ReelWorks showcase to discuss his musical inspirations, latest collaborations, and favorite moments over the past few years. Check out our conversation below!

[Rooster]: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up, and how have they shaped your sound?

[Opiuo]: I would have to say there is a huge array of artists. From New Zealand’s “Super Groove” when I was very young, to “The Beastie Boys” and “Tracy Chapman” through my early teenage years, to UK drum n bass acts like “Bad Company”. There has been so much variation I feel my life, and therefore music, has been influenced by over the years. 

Your music blends elements of funk, soul, psychedelia, and bass. How did you develop this unique sound, and what inspires you to keep experimenting with different genres? 

I just make music that feels right at the time, and I love to see people move and be moved by what I create. There is no specific outcome in terms of style i’m going for, but more of an experimental approach to how to make something known feel different. More energy in slow music, or more emotion in faster music. It’s all about fun, dance, and freedom to be you within a sound I ultimately stumbled upon by just being myself.

Can you walk us through your typical songwriting and production process? How do you go from an idea to a finished track? 

I usually start with a feeling of being influenced by something in my life. It could be an epic mountain bike ride, hanging with my family, seeing friends, watching other music, or feeling the need to change a mood with music. I then open a blank session and go for it. Usually starting with the most powerful element of either drums or a big bass line. Finishing a song can take anywhere from a few days to a few months, so the process will vary remarkably throughout. Sometimes leaving the music and coming back weeks later offers such a refreshing take that it might in fact be done when I had thought it wasn’t. If I can close my eyes and start to see shapes, I usually know the song is done! 

Your live shows are known for their stunning visual elements. How do you integrate visual artistry into your performances, and why is it important to you? 

It’s important to capture imagination with art. And adding multiple senses to the experience, all in time, all with the right colourful palette is a direct way to elevate such an experience. So I feel working in my own visual realities is exactly that. I trigger different worlds of 3D visual animations (made by my friend Saso), to slightly more simple moving worlds (made by me), real footage, and bold colours via my laptop or by hitting my drum machines. Some of it is created in real time. It’s so fun to see it come alive! I also have a way to play the lasers live as well, which makes you feel like some superhero haha!

You recently collaborated with Ashez on the Underground EP. How did this collaboration come about, and what was the creative process like? 

I met Max online back in 2021. He was visiting the states as I was touring & he asked how to break into the US market. I gave him some advice & that was that. Fast forward a year later I was staying with my good friend Clozee where I heard some beats she was checking out & was like who tf is that? Turns out it was this kiwi producer called Ashez. I reached back out & told him I loved his tunes. He was stoked & we decided to smash out some serious bangahs asap. What followed was an effortless foray into our respective styles & monstrously fun studio sessions, accumulating in wrapping up the music together at my Australian studio a bunch of months later. Max has grown into a real brother of mine & I am wholeheartedly proud of what we’ve made. Music is about fun, collaboration, exploration, and spangly tangos upon dirty dance floors.. I feel this release is all of that and then some! 

You’ve performed at some of the world’s most renowned festivals and venues. What has been your most memorable performance to date and why? 

I would have to say my latest orchestra show at red rocks goes down as one I will never forget. A lot of pressure, work, money, time, effort all into one evening. We sold it out too! Really was a moment of showing everything I could possibly give in one 90 minute moment in time.

Your latest album is a live recording from your sold-out show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Can you share some highlights from that performance and what made it special?

I think the pressure to do something better than I ever had before was an element into making it tke a whole other level up. Also trying to really incorporate the audience into the show by encouraging everyone to dress up really made it a magic evening. Especially looking out from the stage and seeing all the effort people put in. Was super special. 

You’re set to headline Reelworks in Denver next month. What can fans expect from this show, and what excites you about playing at a different type of venue? 

I wanted to do something totally different for the crowd in Denver than I have before. Especially as I took a year off red rocks this year. I wanted to test out a concept I have had for a while now, and do it in a more intimate space that feels more warehouse in nature. I can’t share too much as I want it to be a surprise, but it’s going to be rad that’s for sure!