BoomBox brings big style and sound to the valley

VAIL — BoomBox came together with a mission to create something different — a two-man show that can transform at any moment and take on any shape they want it to. The end result is a live show that showcases the DJ/producer skills of Russ Randolph and the live guitar playing and singing of Zion Rock Godchaux.

Godchaux takes the stage dressed in crazy fur coats, over-sized top hats and sequined pants. Randolph controls the decks, creating the foundation for the massive amount of musical improv about to take place. A safety net — who needs one? The duo take pride in the fact that they move the show in whichever direction the audience takes them, no plan or setlist necessary.

We talked to Randolph and Godchaux before their free show Tuesday night in Vail about their musical goals and how visuals play a big part in a live show.

1. Vail Daily: Why did you guys choose BoomBox as your band name?

Russ Randolph: We didn’t think about any other name. We were on a plane ride back from Burning Man back in 2003 and it just seemed to make sense. BoomBox seemed to represent maybe a vehicle or a catalyst for all music and very much a part of life. It seemed to fit ... literally, we never thought about another name or anything.

If you go ... What: BoomBox. When: Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. Where: Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail. Cost: Free. More information: Call 970-949-1999 or visit www.vvf.org

2. VD: How do you describe your music and live show to those who have never heard or seen it before?

RR: We try to give people a real experience at our live show. We come from the mindset of DJs so we’re real time, looking at the crowd, adjusting what we’re playing in relationship to the crowd.

3. VD: Your songs seem like such a loose concoction. How do you condense them into a recordable format?

Zion Rock Godchaux: A lot of the tracks are already well ingrained in us, like with ‘Visions (of Backbeat)’ it wasn’t really a big process for us rendering it down to record because tracks had been rendered and we had been messing with them for a long time, so when it comes to recording, it’s just you know ... ‘let’s do this.’

4. VD: Your show has a very visual, colorful element to it. How important is that visual aspect to your music?

ZRG: It’s definitely an important part. It’s the sight to the sound ... As far as the lights, we’ve been really working on getting our lighting show more consistent and more professional because it’s an important thing that I really think kind of helps create the experience we’re trying to create ... it’s all part of creating this environment for it to be a safe place for everybody to get down.

5. VD: What about the wild clothes you wear onstage?

ZRG: The stuff I wear onstage, I’m not even quite sure ultimately what that’s all about, all I know is that’s just what I’m supposed to wear and it doesn’t feel right if I’m not wearing it. I know it helps me keep from taking myself too seriously.

6. VD: Your style of music defies pigeonholing or labels. Does that make it harder or easier for you guys to market yourselves?

RR: In the short run, it’s harder. Getting off the ground and getting the train rolling is much more difficult. But in the long run, I think it opens up a lot more doors for us than if we were a band that was categorized.

7. VD: What do want people to take away from a BoomBox show?

ZRG: The fact that we’re taking a big chance every time we go out onstage as far as not having a net ... nothing’s really planned and everything can change at the drop of a hat. You’re setting yourself up for it to go either way.

High Life writer Charlie Owen can be reached at 970-748-2939 or cowen@vaildaily.com.