Denver-based psychedelic dance band Autonomix has announced a new lineup that features founding members Josh Nermon on keyboards and Danny Littler on bass with the new additions of Carl Cox on saxophone, Alex Ginzberg on guitar, and AJ Gillman on drums. The group will release a remix album with the lead single “Emerald” remixed by Funkstatik out today, Wednesday, March 10th. The album is sponsored and supported by Denver Kush Club and The Mile High Sound Movement. Proceeds from the album will benefit GVS Foundation (Gun Violence Survivors Foundation).
The new lineup comes after the tragic and untimely death of the band’s guitarist, Zack Smith, who died of a gunshot wound on September 10, 2020. Prior to forming Autonomix, Smith performed with electro-funk group Vine Street Vibes where he cut his teeth as a composer and bandleader establishing himself as a staple in Denver’s burgeoning jam and electronic scene. He later connected with his longtime friend and collaborator, Littler, to perform in Telemetry and shortly after they both left the group, they called Smith’s friend of over a decade and recent Colorado transplant, Josh Nermon, to jam with a new group they had been forming. After an exhilarating, 15-minute improvisation that seemed to flow out of thin air with telepathic chemistry amongst the members, Autonomix was born in 2018.
In a mere two years of existence, Autonomix would find themselves performing at notable regional festivals such as Gem & Jam Music Festival, Sonic Bloom Music Festival, ARISE Music Festival, STS9’s WaveSpell Music Festival, and have provided direct support for heavy-hitting acts such as Papadosio, SunSquabi, The New Deal, BUKU, Pnuma LIve, Particle, and more.
Earning accolades such as “shows not to miss” on festival previews and garnering multiple media engagements, Autonomix was on a trajectory to become a rising band in the Denver scene and beyond with even more festival inquiries and high-caliber shows coming down the pipeline. The COVID-19 pandemic hit and the unthinkable happened with Smith’s death last fall, could have easily been a recipe for the group to call it quits. Nermon and Littler knew it was their calling to keep the project alive in a way that would both honor Smith while breathing new life into the group. The impact that Smith had as a founding member cannot be understated and his legacy will live on through the band, not only by his musical genius but his ability to lead a group of talented and dedicated musicians. Nermon cites that Smith demonstrated how to lead a group and be a strong individual that people could rely on and put their faith in. The relationship the two had as co-writers is a rare, simpatico chemistry that is admired by music fans and performers alike.
The new lineup will expand upon previously written material penned by Smith and the original lineup as well as bring new collaborative ideas to the table. Nermon and Litter’s goal is to honor the music written by Smith as well as compose entirely new material in the canon of Smith and Nermon’s collective writing style. The new group has already begun to crank out new tunes and etch a new footprint in what fans love about the original Autonomix.
Carl Cox brings new layers and stylistic complexities in his work on saxophone and percussion. His relationship with Smith dates back to grade school and their years-long friendship would eventually evolve into Vine Street Vibes. Alex Ginzburg is a veteran in the Denver music scene with a virtuosic prowess on guitar who brings a breath of fresh air to Smith’s difficult and deliberate guitar lines. His unique perspective and dedication to music is coupled with an extensive background in jazz, electronic production, and professional recording bringing a skillset to Autonomix that was previously unseen. AJ Gillman has a diverse background performing in a multitude of Denver-based groups that span across several musical genres and open new doors to musical exploration. The new additions fit seamlessly into Nermon and Littler’s groundwork and set the table for expansive improvisations and opening up doors for a limitless sound.
The new group is picking up right where the old one left off – constantly writing new, captivating material that blurs the lines of genres and gives the audience something they have never heard before. Autonomix is continuing to push the envelope on what is possible with live improvisation dedicated to elements of electronic music, jam bands, and orchestrated rock without the use of laptops. The new members are truly dedicated to their crafts and bring something unique and fun to the public. They strive to create music that is reminiscent of sounds you know and love, but put together in a way that exudes joy, real emotion, and exploring the unknown. The future is bright!” says Nermon of the new group.
The new lineup will perform their first show at Globe Hall on Saturday, May 1st 2021 with two shows starting at 7 pm and 9 pm. The show will be an album release party to celebrate the band’s first EP with the new group that will also drop on May 1st.
For more information and to learn more, visit: autonomix.org
