Russell Butler is a non-binary experimental artist and DJ based in Oakland, California. Originally from Bermuda, Russell has developed a process of improvisation that draws from a rich cultural history rooted in their island home and the black, queer diaspora. For Russell music isn’t just a platform for the political. It’s a world-building project in itself, a way of manifesting the utopia you believe in- or at least it can be, when done right. More than just a vehicle for a message, music can actually carve out an ideal space for community. It’s an ethos that they’ve carried out throughout their carrier and one that can be traced to their love for the history of dance music, coupled with their dedication to supporting local scenes. Russell’s unique performative approach to modular synthesizers can be heard over several albums and eps, most recently, The Home I’d Build For Myself and All My Friends released on San Francisco label Left Hand Path in 2018 and Petty released on Spectral Sounds in 2019.