SunSquabi – Pygmy Up (Original Mix)

by: Lucy Davidson Dec 1, 2016

Electro-funk livetronica band SunSquabi has had quite the year. The Colorado-based trio served up Odyssey EP, the debut record release on GRiZ’s imprint All Good Records, and toured 30+ dates in support of the release, culminating in a performance at Red Rocks in October. With the release of “Pygmy Up,” the band’s first original release since the EP, 2016 may prove to close even stronger for the GRiZ-supported breakout act.

On the record, SunSquabi collaborated with labelmate The Russ Liquid Test, who added a full horn section including saxophone, trombone, and trumpet. Analog keyboards, a Hohner D6 clarinet, and 1960s organ lend a retro vibe to the release.

In an interview with Live For Live Music, lead guitarist and producer Kevin Donohue shared some insight behind the track’s creation:

“This track is a really good example of this vintage feel that we are experimenting with in the record. In addition to using an old school techniques to record the drums, the keyboards are all analog, including a hohner D6 and a 1960s organ. We played it out live a few times with Russ (Liquid), and his horn parts really added a new level of depth. When we asked him to record on it for the studio version, he went above and beyond at his studio in new orleans, adding sax, trumpet and trombone for a full russ liquid horn section. The result is a very big room sound on the track.”

“Pygmy Up” is the first single off of the band’s forthcoming EP, which the band will tour in support of on a 14-date tour throughout December and January.