Air Dubai
Encyclopedia
Air Dubai is a seven-piece hip hop
band from Denver, Colorado. The band is composed of vocalists Julian Thomas and Jon Shockness, with Lawrence Grivich (guitar), Michael Ray (keyboards/synth), Taylor Tait (bass), Wesley Watkins (trumpet) and Nick Spreigl (drums). The band is known for their highly energetic live performances and their sound has been characterized as a mixture of R&B, jazz
, and alternative rock
. The band was voted Westword Magazine's best local Hip Hop band in their 2010 award showcase.
tinged influences and production with topics ranging from love songs to conflicts between America
and the Middle East
.
Westword
Magazine wrote of their first album that, "The tracks here flow not just with deft lyrics, but also with intelligent observations and a rich frisson of artistic traditions. Fans of PM Dawn's particular fusion of R&B, jazz and hip-hop will appreciate how well Air Dubai integrates all of its sounds with perfect harmony."
On March 13, 2010, Air Dubai announced on their official Facebook page that The Early October has officially gone out of print.
beats and began performing with all live instrumentation
.
The full band released their first single titled "I Know How" from their new album, set to be released in summer 2010. Dave Herrera, editor of Westword
wrote, "Recalling the classic soul flavor and musicality of cuts like "Break You Off" by The Roots
, the first new studio track Dubai has shared, is instantly entrancing and offers a promising glimpse of what's to come from this band, which is clearly more than your typical cookie-cutter rap-rock hybrid."
. J.P. Manza from Denver band Take To The Oars (formerly Vonnegut) and Andy Guerrero from the band Flobots
produced the album. On August 7, 2010 Air Dubai announced via their official YouTube
channel that Wonder Age
would be released worldwide on October 5, 2010.
On March 28, 2011, Air Dubai released a remix album featuring remixed songs from Wonder Age
for free on their official website.
, who has done albums for such bands such as Tool
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
and more was the lead producer for the album. On October 14, 2001, they announced via their facebook
page that they would be releasing their newest album October 25th titled "Day Escape".
, The Pharcyde
, Flobots
, Guru (from Gangstarr), Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
, Rahzel
, People Under the Stairs
, Lyrics Born
, Sweatshop Union
, and Game (rapper) . Air Dubai has made several festival appearances, including performances at Warped Tour 2009
, the 2010 Westword
Music Showcase, the 2010 Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, 2010 Powellapalooza Festival at Lake Powell, and the 2011 Snowball Music Festival in Avon, CO.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
band from Denver, Colorado. The band is composed of vocalists Julian Thomas and Jon Shockness, with Lawrence Grivich (guitar), Michael Ray (keyboards/synth), Taylor Tait (bass), Wesley Watkins (trumpet) and Nick Spreigl (drums). The band is known for their highly energetic live performances and their sound has been characterized as a mixture of R&B, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, and alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
. The band was voted Westword Magazine's best local Hip Hop band in their 2010 award showcase.
Beginnings and The Early October (2008)
Air Dubai began as a collaboration between Julian Thomas and Jon Shockness. The duo debuted their independently released album The Early October on October 29, 2008. The album features jazzJazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
tinged influences and production with topics ranging from love songs to conflicts between America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
Westword
Westword
Westword is a free alternative weekly newspaper based in Denver, Colorado.Westword was established independently in 1977. In 1983 it was bought by New Times Media. In 2005, New Times acquired Village Voice Media, and changed its name to Village Voice Media...
Magazine wrote of their first album that, "The tracks here flow not just with deft lyrics, but also with intelligent observations and a rich frisson of artistic traditions. Fans of PM Dawn's particular fusion of R&B, jazz and hip-hop will appreciate how well Air Dubai integrates all of its sounds with perfect harmony."
On March 13, 2010, Air Dubai announced on their official Facebook page that The Early October has officially gone out of print.
Party On! EP and Live Instrumentation (2009)
Air Dubai released the Party On! EP which featured the single "Party On!", three remixes, and an acapella version in May 2009. In June 2009 the duo decided to forego electronicElectronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
beats and began performing with all live instrumentation
Live instrumentation
In music, live instrumentation is the use of acoustic and electronic musical instruments in live music and recording rather than DJing, sampling, and other recording techniques....
.
The full band released their first single titled "I Know How" from their new album, set to be released in summer 2010. Dave Herrera, editor of Westword
Westword
Westword is a free alternative weekly newspaper based in Denver, Colorado.Westword was established independently in 1977. In 1983 it was bought by New Times Media. In 2005, New Times acquired Village Voice Media, and changed its name to Village Voice Media...
wrote, "Recalling the classic soul flavor and musicality of cuts like "Break You Off" by The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, the first new studio track Dubai has shared, is instantly entrancing and offers a promising glimpse of what's to come from this band, which is clearly more than your typical cookie-cutter rap-rock hybrid."
Wonder Age (2010)
On April 19, 2010, Air Dubai announced on their official MySpace page that a new EP was in the works, with an expected release date of June 15, 2010. On June 1 Air Dubai announced they would be extending the EP into a full album and pushing the release date back. The album, which will be the first release as a full band is to be titled Wonder AgeWonder Age
Wonder Age is the debut album by alternative rock band Air Dubai, released on October 5, 2010. Singles released from the album include "Weekends" and "Restless Youth".-Track listing:Words and music by Air Dubai#"Restless Youth" – 3:36...
. J.P. Manza from Denver band Take To The Oars (formerly Vonnegut) and Andy Guerrero from the band Flobots
Flobots
The Flobots are a political rock and hip hop musical group from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2000 by Jamie Laurie. Flobots found mainstream success with their major label debut Fight with Tools , featuring the single "Handlebars", which became a popular hit on Modern Rock radio in April 2008.-Early...
produced the album. On August 7, 2010 Air Dubai announced via their official YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
channel that Wonder Age
Wonder Age
Wonder Age is the debut album by alternative rock band Air Dubai, released on October 5, 2010. Singles released from the album include "Weekends" and "Restless Youth".-Track listing:Words and music by Air Dubai#"Restless Youth" – 3:36...
would be released worldwide on October 5, 2010.
On March 28, 2011, Air Dubai released a remix album featuring remixed songs from Wonder Age
Wonder Age
Wonder Age is the debut album by alternative rock band Air Dubai, released on October 5, 2010. Singles released from the album include "Weekends" and "Restless Youth".-Track listing:Words and music by Air Dubai#"Restless Youth" – 3:36...
for free on their official website.
Day Escape (2011-Present)
In July/August of 2011, Air Dubai visited Northern California to work on their next musical venture. Legendary producer Sylvia MassySylvia Massy
Sylvia Massy is an entrepreneur, record producer, and studio engineer in the United States. Massy is perhaps best recognized for her work on 1993's Undertow, the full-length double platinum-selling debut for Los Angeles rock band Tool.-History:...
, who has done albums for such bands such as Tool
Tool
A tool is a device that can be used to produce an item or achieve a task, but that is not consumed in the process. Informally the word is also used to describe a procedure or process with a specific purpose. Tools that are used in particular fields or activities may have different designations such...
, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
and more was the lead producer for the album. On October 14, 2001, they announced via their facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
page that they would be releasing their newest album October 25th titled "Day Escape".
Studio albums
- The Early October (2008)
- Wonder AgeWonder AgeWonder Age is the debut album by alternative rock band Air Dubai, released on October 5, 2010. Singles released from the album include "Weekends" and "Restless Youth".-Track listing:Words and music by Air Dubai#"Restless Youth" – 3:36...
(2010) - Day Escape (2011)
Singles
- Party On! (2009)
- I Know How (2009)
- Weekends (2010)
- Restless Youth (2010)
- Soul & Body (2011)
- Lights Down (2011)
- Summer Solstice (2011)
Other Releases
- Remixtape (2011)
Live performances
Air Dubai has played with numerous big name acts such as OneRepublicOneRepublic
OneRepublic is an American pop rock band from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Formed in 2002 by Ryan Tedder and Zach Filkins, the band achieved massive success on MySpace, becoming the most prominent unsigned act on the website then...
, The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde are an alternative hip hop group based in South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani , Slimkid3 , Bootie Brown and Fatlip . DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla...
, Flobots
Flobots
The Flobots are a political rock and hip hop musical group from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2000 by Jamie Laurie. Flobots found mainstream success with their major label debut Fight with Tools , featuring the single "Handlebars", which became a popular hit on Modern Rock radio in April 2008.-Early...
, Guru (from Gangstarr), Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is an American Hip-Hop/R'n'B band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 1991. It originally consisted of rappers Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone. Rapper Eazy-E of the group N.W.A signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Ruthless Records in 1994, when Bone...
, Rahzel
Rahzel
Rahzel M. Brown, also known as simply Rahzel, is an American musician and virtuoso beatboxer, formerly a member of The Roots.Nicknamed the "Godfather of Noyze," Rahzel is known for an ability to sing or rap while simultaneously beatboxing, as evidenced in his performances of "Iron Man" and his...
, People Under the Stairs
People Under the Stairs
People Under the Stairs is a hip hop group from Los Angeles, California formed in 1997 by Thes One and Double K. The group has released eight critically acclaimed full-length albums and performed on every continent except Antarctica. It is estimated that the group has performed well over 1,000 sold...
, Lyrics Born
Lyrics Born
Lyrics Born , is a Japanese American rapper, record producer, songwriter, and voice over announcer. He is also one half of the group Latyrx with Lateef the Truthspeaker.-History:...
, Sweatshop Union
Sweatshop Union
Sweatshop Union is a Canadian hip hop collective formed in 2000 when four politically minded rap acts—Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole, Kyprios and Innocent Bystander —came together "to create a powerful, distinctive voice", and to produce their first album, which was published in 2001.Known for an...
, and Game (rapper) . Air Dubai has made several festival appearances, including performances at Warped Tour 2009
Warped Tour 2009
Warped Tour 2009 was the 15th installment of the annual Summer Warped Tour festival. Vans Shoes was again the tour's primary sponsor. Tour founder/organizer Kevin Lyman announced that this year's tour would feature only one main stage with bands playing 40 minutes each instead of two main stages...
, the 2010 Westword
Westword
Westword is a free alternative weekly newspaper based in Denver, Colorado.Westword was established independently in 1977. In 1983 it was bought by New Times Media. In 2005, New Times acquired Village Voice Media, and changed its name to Village Voice Media...
Music Showcase, the 2010 Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, 2010 Powellapalooza Festival at Lake Powell, and the 2011 Snowball Music Festival in Avon, CO.