BLUEOX

BLUEOX — A psych-rock duo channeling the spirit of My Morning Jacket and 70’s-era Pink Floyd.

The band's self-titled debut album dropped in Summer, 2021 to critical acclaim. Their Pink Floyd tribute 'Fearless' premiered with Juxtapoz, and single ’Black Star Road' premiered with American Songwriter. The BLUEOX anthem 'Walk Tall’ was also featured in Variety on Bank Robber Music & Rough Trade Publishing's “Talk — Action = Zero” compilation in support of the Black Visions Collective.

“Dripping in ’70s psych-rock, the Jersey City band, BLUEOX, tap into something murky and melodic”

— American Songwriter

At its core, BLUEOX is Kieran Sullivan and Donny Dykowsky. The eclectic tracks that fill their debut album are visceral, melodic and unpredictable. BLUEOX delivers an inspired set of songs that nods to rock's past with fresh eyes, haunting melodies and blood harmonies that imbue each song with a life truly earned.

How long have you been creating music?

[Donny] I come from a musical family, and I got my first guitar at age 6. I’ve been writing songs since grade school.

[Kieran] My grandmother lived across the street from me and had an organ and piano. I would copy what I heard by ear, and improvise as far back as I can remember. My first and favorite conversations were with melody. Sometimes that’s still the case.

Tell us about your sound and what sets you apart?

[Donny] We’re chasing truth in the artform both in-studio and live. BLUEOX is a big sound. It’s storytelling over guitarscapes with big drums.

Do you write and release or do you plan each release?

[Donny] We started out releasing singles and music videos, which all lead to the debut-album drop this past Summer. Since we self-produce everything, there’s a bit of planning especially for the videos.

For example, “Fearless” (a Pink Floyd Tribute) is a hand-painted, stop-motion video which took 7 months of painstaking animation by visual artist Rohitash Rao and edited by Bob Mori. On all fronts, this undertaking was only possible during the isolation of the pandemic.

Are there any challenging aspects to writing and/or recording your music?

[Kieran] The pandemic has been the challenge. It shut down what we do for living. Not being able to interact with each other and share the live music with others experience puts a strain on inspiration creativity for sure.

[Donny] When we started BLUEOX, Kieran and I were neighbors. He’d walk to my studio, and we’d write and record in micro-bursts which always yielded something. Since the pandemic, we’ve both moved outside of the city and have to collaborate remotely. That’s a challenge.

Is there a message in your music?

[Donny] There are themes of light and dark, the afterlife, and beyond all over this album - but the clearest message would probably spring from “Walk Tall” - a song that premiered on Bank Robber/Rough Trade’s compilation in support of the Black Visions Collective and featured in Variety.

Do you create music for yourself or for fans?

[Donny] We set out to make the records we’d like to hear. I suppose we’re writing for ourselves, and for each other first.

[Kieran] In BLUEOX I feel like we write for each other. Working with Donny, he has high expectations. If I’m cooking something up, and he gets impressed, there’s a look he gives, then I know it’s fire. When that process gets going there is always a feeling in the back of your heart like “I can’t wait for people to hear this.”

Tell us about your new self-titled album ‘BLUEOX”.

[Donny] It’s trippy, it’s deep, and you can dance to it.

What is the best song you ever released and why?

[Kieran] Black Star Road was inspired by the legend of Black Star Canyon Road in the Santa Ana Mountains of California. There’s a bloody history there, and a supernatural reputation dating back to the 1830s when a Native American tribe of Shoshone was massacred by American mercenaries. The narrative of this song wrote itself as if there were someone, or something, else at play. It still gives me chills as I recall the process.

What song do fans seem to favor?

Black Star Road has the most streams. Ten Feet Tall has the most views.

Which of your songs is, or do you think would be, fun to perform live?

[Kieran] New song called “Whiskey and Wine” is my current fav to play.

[Donny] I love opening up the jams. There’s a real magic to finding your footing through improvisation, and most of this record has room for that when performed live.

Tell about a magical moment or positive experience that has happened during your career.

[Kieran] The making of the “Fearless” video with Ro and Bob. These guys would send over the updates and it just blew my mind.

Other than fame & fortune, is there something you hope to achieve through music?

[Kieran] If your heroes become your peers. Like if David Gilmour and Roger Waters said “nice job with “Fearless,” that’s the win for me.

Who inspires you musically?

[Kieran] I used to answer this with a list of musicians, but now I realize that everyone and everything inspires me. There is a rhythm in everything living.

[Donny] I’m always looking to the past for inspiration. Last week I was on a rockabilly kick, but this week it’s all about the Beatles thanks to Peter Jackson’s documentary.

If one artist were to perform at your party, who would get the call?

[Kieran] Jon Batiste

[Donny] Lady Gaga

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

[Kieran] Be patient, and always be honest.

[Donny] Trust the process, whatever that may be, and wherever it may lead.

It’s all about having fun with each other. Being a band extends farther than music and we have a blast with each other in and out of playing together.

What is your favorite/best outlet to connect with your followers Instagram, Spotify, FB, Twitter, iTunes? How would you want them to follow?

[Kieran] Spotify and iTunes because I’ll know someone's listening.

What does the future hold for you?

[Kieran] More records, bigger stages, cracked conch with some peas and rice.

Did I forget to ask something? Something you would like to say, that I did not address.

Walk Tall !