The Awakening
Desert Daze 2018: A Lightshow Crystallized in Time
Aidan Lutz's journey into liquid light artistry began in the autumn of 2018 at Desert Daze festival in Lake Perris, California. As an avid music and film collector who had attended countless rock 'n' roll shows throughout his teenage years, this particular festival would fundamentally alter his artistic trajectory.
The lineup was stellar—Tame Impala, My Bloody Valentine, Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard—representing the best names in the underground rock scene that brought modern psychedelia to the fringes. But it wasn't just the music that captivated Aidan. It was the psychedelic lightshows accompanying the performances all weekend long.
Witnessing liquid light projections on stage and overhead canopies, Aidan befriended lightshow artists including the Madalchemist Lightshow (Lance) and Zack Roddell between sets. When he asked about getting into lightshow work himself, their response was surprisingly dismissive and discouraging. Nevertheless, Aidan's wonderment burned strong enough to fuel his research the moment he returned home.
The Self-Education
From Google Rabbit Hole to First Projector
What followed was an intensive period of self-education. Aidan dove deep into the internet, searching videos, reading blog posts, and scouring comment sections for any information about liquid lightshows. "I had never been more hungry to learn," he recalls.
In 2019, he made his first investment: an overhead projector and glass dishes from a liquid light merchant's site. He began experimenting with different liquid concoctions—mainly oil, water, and alcohol inside dishes, combined with various watercolors and oil dyes sourced from local art supply stores.
Portland: The Practice Ground
Living with a band in Portland, Oregon provided the perfect practice environment. Aidan had constant access to live music, which became his training ground for developing his lightshow technique. This led to performing for friends' bands in the Portland underground scene, lugging increasingly more gear to shows.
Career Timeline
By late 2019, what began as a hobby had evolved into a lifestyle. Aidan was booking at least three to four nights per month at venues, and his investment in equipment was growing. His lightshow had become a staple name within the psych-rock scene of the Pacific Northwest.
In early 2020, before the pandemic shut down live events, Aidan was asked to perform for Nike at one of their fundraiser events. "This show felt like the start of something bigger for me," he reflects.
The Pandemic Evolution
Forced Isolation, Forced Innovation
When the pandemic forced Aidan into lockdown, it created an unexpected opportunity. "I was really forced into a position to create for myself more than for anyone else," he explains. This intrinsic motivation allowed him to innovate his work and pursue new techniques inspired by sixties-style liquid lightshows.
During this period, Aidan became deeply involved in buying and selling antique projectors. At one point, he owned nine projectors simultaneously—a testament to his dedication to understanding every aspect of the medium.
The Analog Ethos
Real-Time Manipulation in a Digital World
What distinguishes LiquidFidelity from other visual artists is Aidan's unwavering commitment to analog techniques. Everything he creates is manipulated in real-time with his hands—no pre-programmed sequences, no AI assistance, no digital shortcuts.
"This very ethos is what holds my brand in a unique space and time where societal reliance on AI and computers to do the heavy lifting is commonplace," Aidan states. In an era of digital convenience, his dedication to analog craft represents both an artistic choice and a philosophical stance.
The Equipment and Techniques
Aidan now works with an Epson Powerlite projector that emits 5,500 lumens—"really freakin' bright," as he puts it. His visual palette includes:
- ◆ Moiré Patterns – Interference patterns created through overlapping
- ◆ Liquid Light – His signature oil, water, and alcohol mixtures
- ◆ 16mm Film Reels – Found footage from vintage sources
- ◆ Home Video Manipulation – Custom footage crafted in his home studio
- ◆ Analog Video Feedback – Using 90s video switchers for internal feedback signals
The combination of analog video feedback from vintage 90s switchers with his liquid lightshow clips creates a visual signature that is "undeniably" the LiquidFidelity brand.
Southern California & Beyond
From Rock Shows to Weddings
In 2021, Aidan relocated to Southern California to be closer to family and restarted his lightshow in the SoCal scene. Over the past four years, his services have expanded dramatically. He's now hired for:
- ◆ Live concert lightshows for bands and festivals
- ◆ Photoshoot visual effects
- ◆ Music video production
- ◆ Wedding ceremonies and receptions
- ◆ Corporate events and promotional content
"Life is crazy and you truly never know where your passions will take you," Aidan reflects on his journey's unexpected turns.
Multi-Disciplinary Mastery
Aidan is most proud that his work has reached a multi-disciplinary stage where he can design visual shows tailored exactly to an artist or band's vision. He strives to "shock and awe audiences" by implementing every visual technique he's honed over six years of dedicated practice.
The people who have witnessed his lightshows know him for his expansive understanding of liquid light—which is precisely why his brand carries the name LiquidFidelity: fidelity to the liquid medium, fidelity to analog craft, and fidelity to the psychedelic experience.
The Role of Fortune
Word of Mouth and Memorable Moments
Aidan attributes much of his success to "good luck" in how people spread the word about his lightshow. "Surprisingly—every time—people remember the name," he notes with gratitude.
He's had people from all regions of the United States reach out on social media to share how they found his work or what made it special for them. "This is the blessing of my work. The good fortune is the stuff I try to harp on the most because it feels like the opportunity lent itself when I needed it the most."