Electronic dance music has been a fruitful genre over the last decade. However, the combination of electronic beats and live instrumentation has just recently emerged as a well-respected style of music.

Originating from Muscle Shoals, Al., electronic duo Boombox has been crafting such a combination for nearly a decade, introducing a live guitar sound.

Comprised of singer-songwriter Zion “Rock” Godchaux and producer Russ Randolph, Boombox formed after Randolph met Godchaux during production with Godchaux’s musically inclined family.

Advertisement

“I was out [in Alabama] with my mom, uncle, dad and brother and we were making a family record and Russ got brought in to help engineer the record, so that’s how we met,” Godchaux said.

The two began to collaborate, Randolph bringing primarily R&B, rock and soul influences to the table, where as Godchaux, growing up in San Francisco, was exposed to more house music, he said.

When the two are put together, the product is a unique and upbeat sound with a danceable vibe.

“It’s positive, it makes you feel good, it makes you want to move, makes you want to dance, its funky,” he said. “It may be, on a good night, beautifully funky.”

The duo released its first record “Visions of Backbeat” in December of 2005, a psychedelic house record with a funk influence. The two continue to record with their initial vision.

{{tncms-asset app=”editorial” id=”0f2fcfca-abfe-11e4-a3df-f39073a353fd”}}

“We haven’t changed our formula. Our style is our style and it’s who we are, but maybe it’s gotten better, maybe more evolved, more advanced,” he said.

Advertisement*

Their drive to create genuine music is just as evident in their sophomore record “Downriverelectric” nearly five years later, which featured a more intimate production process as the two transported back to their roots.

Boombox’s music takes priority over their earnings.

“We’re not getting rich quick by any means, because we’re putting all of our money back into … our gear and the quality of the show itself,” he said.

They played festivals and toured extensively during the past couple years, allowing them time to write and record on the road.

“We record our shows and then we also record in hotel rooms or wherever inspiration strikes,” he said.

One perk of writing and recording on the road is making music in a distraction-free environment, Godchaux said.

“You can stay up all night and work on tracks,” he said. “For me, I actually write better on the road. I make more progress on the road than I do at home.”

In 2014, they released their third studio album “Filling in the Color,” which features the substance of a studio album with the energy of a live performance.

“We really worked to try and capture our live performance in the studio,” he said. “Its like a studio quality record but the performance was made in front of a crowd.”

Boombox will be kicking off 2015 with a winter tour at Hangar 9, marking their third Carbondale performance.

“It’s a slow growth, but the shows get better attended every time we come through. Hopefully it will be the same this time,” he said. “We look forward to see everybody out there in Carbondale.”

Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.

As 2015 progresses Boombox will be hitting the summer festival circuit, starting with Wakarusa in June and a possible appearance at All Good Festival in July.