Diving Lessons details a two-year period in emcee Lucas Dix’s life that began as his best friend, Gavin Theory, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Theory and Dix began making music together as Hives Inquiry Squad in high school and moved to Portland from Wisconsin to pursue their artistic endeavors. Around the same time his best friend was diagnosed, Dix met a woman who introduced him to many of the scenic places Oregon is known for: the Cascade Mountain Range, Mt. Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Pacific Ocean. These places, this new love, and the difficulties in supporting a dying friend set the backdrop, theme, and plot for the new Jellyfish Brigade album. Producer Jeffrey Acciaioli (aka The Great Mundane) provides the soundtrack for Dix’s self-exploration with melodic, electronic beats that are sometimes as playful as sun on the river. Other times, they are dark as a midnight hike through mountain fog. Dix’s stories describe the supernatural as normal, the ordinary as magical--detailing times of growth, happiness and hardship. Together, the duo created a debut album of hip hop songs with catchy, R&B infused hooks that explore the process of finding yourself while losing the people closest to you. “Somewhere between Lazerbeak and Sufjan Stevens, or a combination of Neon Indian and Das Racist” -Will Wlizlo, Riviler Magazine “Jeffrey blends a kaleidoscope of swirling synths, bold percussion, glitchy basslines, electronic boops and beeps and chopped samples. Lucas tells powerful, storytelling raps with a cool, relaxed flow and his poetic lyricism is laden with clever wordplay and imagery. Together they make music that is philosophical, dark, beautiful, uplifting and introspective.” Tiffology, Crayon Beats Jellyfish Brigade and Polkadot Mayhem Present: Diving Lessons Production: Jeffrey Acciaioli Words: Lucas Dix Album Art: Jason Graham (www.instagram.com/a_light_so_dim) Art Design: Ryan Robers (ryanrobers.com) Mixing/Mastering: Prince Strickland at Portland Underground Recording