Manic Focus

SunSquabi

Music has the power to move us—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For SunSquabi—Kevin Donohue [guitar, keys, production], Josh Fairman [bass, synth], and Scotty Zwang [drums]—that power lives in the unspoken language they share on stage and in the studio. With millions of streams and high-energy performances at venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, they’ve carved out a space where electronic production, jam-band freedom, and funk-rooted grooves collide.

Now, the Colorado-based trio turns the page with their most defining release yet: a self-titled album that reintroduces SunSquabi in their purest form. More than a record, SunSquabi is a creative reset—a declaration of who they are now, and where they’re headed next.

“This is the most honest version of us,” says Donohue. “It felt right to make it self-titled, because we’ve grown into something new—and we wanted to mark that.”

The album follows a strong run of EPs (Cloudburst and Grind) that saw the band evolving through collaboration, improvisation, and reinvention. Tracks often began as live jams—many from their livestream sessions during the pandemic—and grew into fully fleshed-out songs that reflect both discipline and spontaneity.

“We didn’t overthink it. We trusted our instincts,” adds Fairman. “Everything came from a real place, and we stayed true to that. This record feels like a culmination.”

Since 2015, SunSquabi has toured relentlessly and released boundary-pushing records like Odyssey (2016), Deluxe EP (2017), and Instinct (2019). They’ve collaborated with artists like Lettuce, GRiZ, Late Night Radio, and The String Cheese Incident, building a loyal following along the way. Media outlets including JamBase, Live For Live Music, and ThisSongIsSick have praised their genre-defying sound and explosive live shows.

While their past work laid the foundation, SunSquabi feels like the project that defines them. It’s not just a name on a record—it’s a statement of identity, intention, and evolution. And as always, their goal is simple: move people, lift spirits, and keep the groove alive.

Russ Liquid

Redefining the possibilities of modern music, The Russ Liquid Test fuses the raw vitality of classic funk and the inventive sound design of electronic production. Songwriter/producer and renowned brass specialist Russell Scott heads up the New Orleans-based band. Guitarist Andrew Block and drummer Deven Trusclair round things out, with each providing a distinct musical background deeply rooted in the New Orleans jazz scene. A kinetic energy infuses each the band giving way to a mixture of funk/jazz/electro. The Russ Liquid Test evokes a kaleidoscope of textures, senses, and moods. At the heart of The Russ Liquid Test is an improv-driven musicality.

The studio workhorses are continually putting out new music and have quite a few releases up their sleeves for 2018. The Russ Liquid Test creates a joyful sense of synergy in their high-powered live shows, with recent appearances including Shambhala Music Festival, Lightning in a Bottle, Summer Camp, and Sonic Bloom, among others. No matter the setting, a clear multidimensionality can always be heard in The Russ Liquid Test’s projects. “We want to make people feel good but also give them something to reflect with,” says Scott. “It’s not about just making party music or music that’s more introspective—it’s for the full gamut of human expression, and we want it to be just as dynamic as life itself.”