The Top 3 (+1) Sounds That Have Built RiF . . . So Far
October 19, 2025
This is the sound that launched a thousands songs (ok, just 4 so far). This is what perked up my ears and made it clear to me that I wasn’t going anywhere any time soon. I can finally make the music I’ve always wanted to. I think I described something like . . . . a dark cloud rolling into town while the asphalt buckles under the weight of the coming storm. Alex Aldi (my producer) came up with this. He clearly read my mind.
The funny part . . . all he said in return was, “peep this.” Talk about an undersell :)
For the music nerds, here was my actual communication to him re: drums: I like the drums but feel like they could be dirtier and harder. I’m imagining a mash-up of both drum machine and real drums. You are the drum expert, so please give me your “Alex Aldi treatment.” I’m confident it will be amazing! Some top-level thoughts include:
• Drums from “Barrel of a Gun” by Depeche Mode
• “Taste in Men” by Placebo
• “Club Foot” by Kasabian.
I made We Run for my class at Berklee College of Music. It was really cool but once again it needed some extra special treatment. I’m not sure where the idea came from but I LOVE Peter Hook’s bass lines. I wanted to see if I could do something similar. I did and it was killer. But, what took it over the top was keeping that same New Order influence and adding a driving guitar line to it. The two working in concert form the heart of the song.
I mostly judge musical success based on my own reaction, but it doesn’t hurt to get a nod from Alex. He nodded and We Run v.2 was born.
No ID is kinda my favorite (so far). It was the hardest to create, but it has some of the coolest hooky moments as well as a bridge to die for (especially when watching the lyric video).
The vocals are always a challenge. I would suggest that I am still finding my voice. Alex does a fantastic job, but I am not far enough along yet to say . . . this is exactly what I want to sound like and nail a performance that hits it just right.
The final chorus is special because it includes a whole bunch of friends and family doing what they do best - supporting me as I follow my dreams. Every time I listen to the finale it makes me smile. What’s Your ID? I’ve found mine.
+1
World Full of Echoes - Brash Guitar FX
You haven’t heard World Full of Echoes just yet. All of that AI talk by me over the past few months - now you get to hear it in song form.
To say I am frustrated does not begin cover it. Somehow I created this sound. It is the coolest sound I’ve ever created on guitar. Give it a listen and imagine humans doing battle with AI over the future of music. I think I nailed the soundtrack.
Hints of Star Wars?
