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Presented by Cerasonic Studios

Hosted by software engineer and songwriter Rich Soni, The Rich Soni Podcast is a longform interview style podcast which typically publishes a new episode once or twice a month.

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Episodes

#49 - Lupe Dragon

Published:
Guests: Lupe Dragon

Episode Overview

Lupe Dragon is an alternative singer/songwriter from Northern New Jersey. With the writing style of Ed Sheeran, the swagger of Billie Eilish and a voice similar to the likes of Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Alanis Morisette, she is a female powerhouse.

In 2018 she recorded her EP "Can't Even Stand It" (released in 2019). She later went on to release a remix of her hit song "Not The Same (Out of Spite)" with fellow rap artist Aarvee, in 2020 released her single "Happiness", "Butterflies" and in 2021 her acoustic EP "Bedroom Files Vol. 1".

More recently, she has leaned into a pop-rock sound, reimagining Cruise Control as a full-band anthem in 2023. She also released swaylinks on World Mental Health Day 2024, her longest and most personal track yet.

Lupe has performed across New Jersey, including Madison Arts Center, Silver Stream Studios, and Hidden Tracks Records, where she organized a festival in 2024 to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Selected Links From The Episode

#48 - Max Rauch

Published:
Guests: Max Rauch

Episode Overview

Max Rauch is the owner and head engineer at Domestic Bliss Studio's in West Orange New Jersey. He is also the co-founder of Pizza Bagel Records, and a guitarist and vocalist in the band Lkffct.

Timestamps

  • [00:00:00] Start
  • [00:00:34] Our mutual friendships with Harrison Bieth
  • [00:03:27] Max's first studio, which was in a rehearsal space
  • [00:06:16] The role of limitation in the creative process
  • [00:14:23] Audio engineering equipment
  • [00:23:14] Click tracks and rock music
  • [00:29:56] Music appreciation, and sharing music as a parent
  • [00:38:30] Max's transition from drummer to songwriter and guitarist
  • [00:50:15] Parent brain, sleep habits, dad talk
  • [00:58:02] Leaving behind a legacy
  • [01:04:08] The north jersey music scene
  • [01:08:47] Touring advice
  • [01:21:13] Early 2000s rock genres and scenes
  • [01:30:39] Pizza Bagel Records
  • [01:37:02] Max's collaboration philosophy as a recording engineer and producer
  • [01:50:41] End

Selected Links From The Episode

#47 - Gabby Losch

Published:
Guests: Gabby Losch

Episode Overview

Gabby Losch is the owner of Losch Guitars. Losch guitars creates custom handmade guitars in Illinois. In June 2024, Rich won one of these guitars in a raffle held by Losch Guitars.

Key Topics

  • Gabby's Lutherie Journey and Influences
  • Technical Legacy of The Grateful Dead
  • Overlaps between engineering and woodworking
  • Managing burnout with a hobby
  • Guitar Specification Preferences
  • Rich's Losch Guitar (Losch Guitars #06)

Connect with Gabby Losch

Selected Links From The Episode

#46 Mythology

Published:
Guests: Brynen Sosa, Dave Lockhart, Jordan Morrissey

Hailing from the hills of Northern New Jersey, Mythology has been turning heads since 2007. The brainchild of bandleader/guitarist/vocalist Brynen A. Sosa, their musical perfectionism, classic progressive rock vibes, and high standard of excellence is their biggest calling card. Countless live shows and a dizzying array of recorded output has garnered them a mighty and loyal fanbase. Sosa’s modus operandi is a simple one: to create a body of work that is honest, meticulous, prolific, masterful, and full of breadth. All while maintaining a lighthearted lyrical humor to balance out the seriousness of the music!

Currently consisting of Sosa on guitar, long time drum giant Jordan Morrissey, and bass master Dave Lockhart, their chemistry can neither be bought, nor manufactured.

They cull influences from the greats of yesteryear: Yes, King Crimson, Rush, Frank Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return To Forever, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails, The Mars Volta, Mel Torme, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole. Their spice rack is extensive, and the soup always fuses many different flavors!

Their brand new 6th full length studio album “The Story of Sound” is a masterclass in musical confidence, finesse, and high level production. The Story of Sound, a concept album, tells the story of the man who invented music, while taking time for some zany and meta twists and turns in the narrative.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:58 Band Formation
00:17:57 Recording The Story of Sound
00:37:00 The Story of Sound Concept
00:56:30 Live Performances
01:04:50 Influences
01:16:13 The Story of Sound Artwork

Selected Links From The Episode

#45 Aidan Jack Finnecy

Published:
Guests: Aidan Jack Finnecy

Episode Overview

Aidan Jack Finnecy is an indie musician who has been recording and performing catchy songs in New Jersey basements since 2019. His debut album, "The Freshman Alcoholic," is set to release in June on Pizza Bagel Records. Aidan’s work is deeply rooted in the New Jersey indie scene, and his style reflects a raw, DIY ethos. Combining personal storytelling with humor, his music speaks to the experiences of young adulthood, friendship, and self-reflection.

In this episode, Rich and Aidan dive into the process behind creating "The Freshman Alcoholic" and Aidan’s experiences performing in underground venues across New Jersey. The conversation touches on the significance of basement shows in shaping his sound, the challenges of recording during the pandemic, and the sense of community that has supported his journey. Aidan also shares his thoughts on songwriting, the importance of vulnerability in his lyrics, and what’s next for him as he navigates the release of his debut album.

Key Topics

  • Introduction and Greetings
  • The Making of "The Freshman Alcoholic"
  • New Jersey Basement Shows and DIY Culture
  • Recording and Releasing an Album During the Pandemic
  • Personal Storytelling and Humor in Songwriting
  • The Importance of Vulnerability and Authenticity
  • Building a Community Through Music
  • Upcoming Projects and Future Plans
  • Final Thoughts and Staying Grounded in the Indie Scene

Connect with Aidan Jack Finnecy

Selected Links From The Episode

#44 John Cozz

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Guests: John Cozz

Episode Overview

John Cozz, a New Jersey-based musician, skateboarder, and coffee entrepreneur, has spent nearly 15 years immersed in the coffee industry, while also carving out a unique space in the music scene. Known for blending his passions, John Cozz’s work reflects a deep connection to DIY culture, heavily influenced by his love for skateboarding. With musical inspirations ranging from Jeffrey Lewis and Kimya Dawson to Green Day and Modest Mouse, John’s sound is a testament to his diverse interests. His latest project, "Well Done," is a collaborative EP recorded with his band, The Wellers, on a vintage Tascam tape machine. Additionally, John has explored New Jersey’s rich history of urban legends through his creative VHS release, "The Legend of Louis."

In this episode, Rich engages with John Cozz in a conversation that spans his dual careers in music and coffee. They discuss the challenges of running a DIY label, the influence of skateboarding on John's artistic vision, and the importance of building a cohesive brand. The discussion also delves into the impact of anti-folk music on John's songwriting, the collaborative process behind the "Well Done" EP, and the significance of urban legends in his work. John shares insights into his creative process, his dedication to authenticity, and the importance of staying connected to his roots.

Key Topics

  • Introduction and Greetings
  • Discussing John Cozz’s Journey in Coffee, Music, and Skateboarding
  • The Role of Skateboarding Culture in Creative Expression
  • Building a Brand: Lessons from Skateboarding and DIY Music
  • Recording “Well Done” with The Wellers and Using a Tascam Tape Machine
  • Exploring New Jersey Urban Legends in “The Legend of Louis”
  • Influences from Jeffrey Lewis, Kimya Dawson, and Anti-Folk
  • Challenges of Running a DIY Label and Content Creation
  • Reflections on Songwriting, Collaboration, and Future Projects
  • Final Thoughts and The Importance of Staying Authentic

Connect with John Cozz

Selected Links From The Episode

#43 Andrew T. Miles

Published:
Guests: Andrew T. Miles

Episode Overview

In his fourth appearance on the Rich Soni Podcast, Andrew T. Miles returns to share more about his dual passions for science and music. Andrew, a talented pianist and prolific composer, also works as a cytologist, a profession dedicated to the study of cells and cancer detection. This episode delves into how Andrew balances these two distinct yet intertwined worlds, offering insights into his career and creative process.

Rich and Andrew explore the genesis of Andrew's self-portrait series, a collection of improvisational piano pieces that serve as the foundation for many of his original compositions. Listeners are treated to a live performance of "Soliloquy of the Bells," inspired by the chimes of a nearby church, and an impromptu improvisation created on the spot, showcasing Andrew's spontaneous creativity.

The conversation also touches on Andrew’s approach to integrating improvisation into his music, the influence of his church background on his compositions, and the importance of evolving as an artist while maintaining authenticity.

Key Topics

  • Andrew's career as a cytologist and his role in cancer detection
  • The early influences that sparked Andrew's interest in science and music
  • The improvisational nature of the self-portrait series and how it informs his original compositions
  • A live performance of "Soliloquy of the Bells" inspired by the chimes of a nearby church
  • An impromptu improvisation titled "In the Dark"
  • Andrew’s approach to integrating improvisation into his music
  • The influence of Andrew's church background on his compositions
  • The importance of evolving as an artist while maintaining authenticity
  • Insights into balancing science, music, and creativity in everyday life
  • Discussions on notable musicians and inspirations, such as Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, and Guru from Gang Starr
  • Challenges and joys of creating instrumental music
  • Andrew's experience with open mic nights and performing live
  • The significance of naming instrumental pieces and conveying emotions through music without lyrics

Connect with Andrew T. Miles

Selected Links From The Episode

#42 Roe O'Brien

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Guests: Roe O'Brien

Episode Overview

Roe O'Brien, working under the project Roe Knows Best, is a New Jersey-based singer-songwriter. As a child, she immersed herself in music lessons and choir performances worldwide. Inspired by Good Charlotte and Green Day, she taught herself guitar at 14. In May 2020, she released the Muscle Memory EP, praised for its emotionally intelligent pop-punk. Her follow-up, the Northbound EP (July 2022), recorded by Ace Enders, was acclaimed for its heartfelt, catchy tunes. Her latest single, “Capture the Flag,” is a powerful anthem about reclaiming lost youth. Currently residing in Northern New Jersey, she is crafting new music that promises to captivate her audience.

In this episode, Rich has a conversation with Roe O'Brien about her music career, the process of creating her new song "Capture the Flag," and the importance of having an EPK. They discuss Roe's experiences recording with Ace Enders, the challenges of being a DIY artist, and the influence of her early musical inspirations. Roe also shares insights into her songwriting process and the significance of maintaining a sense of play and creativity.

Key Topics

  • Introduction and Greetings
  • Discussing Row O'Brien's New Song and Release Strategies
  • Creating and Using Electronic Press Kits
  • Row's Experience at The Orchard and The Journey of "Capture the Flag"
  • The Songwriting and Recording Process with Ace Enders
  • Inspiration Behind "Capture the Flag" and Songwriting Retreat
  • Influence of Childhood Creativity and Early Music Experiences
  • Balancing Introversion and Extroversion in Creative Work
  • Managing Expectations and Mental Health as an Artist
  • Final Thoughts, Reflections, and Importance of Community Support

Connect with Roe O'Brien

Selected Links From The Episode

#41 Jeffrey Lewis

Published:
Guests: Jeffrey Lewis

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Rich Soni Podcast, Rich Soni interviews Jeffrey Lewis, a comic book artist and songwriter based in New York City. Jeffrey discusses his dual career, his influences, and his DIY ethic. They delve into his comic book series "Statix," his low-budget videos, and his experiences with booking tours and manaping his music career. Jeffrey also shares insights into his creative process and the balance between art and commerce.

Jeffrey Lewis describes himself as a comic book artist who has a day job as a songwriter. Over the years, this persona has fused into a cohesive artistic identity, reflected across his multifaceted work. In his latest comic book release, Statix Vol. 1, distributed by the prestigious Fantagraphics Books, a segment titled "Why Would I Be So Stressed Out" showcases his eclectic influences and aspirations. He aims to:

  • "Make comics as good as Alan Moore and Eightball by Daniel Clowes"
  • "Write songs as good as Daniel Johnston"
  • "Draw as well as Robert Crumb"
  • "Rock as hard as The Velvet Underground"
  • "Play gigs as mind-blowing as Yo La Tengo"

All of this is approached with a DIY ethic inspired by bands like The Fall, The Minutemen, and Crass. His work is meticulous and prolific, transcending the boundaries of multiple artistic disciplines.

One of the most unique representations of this fusion is found in his 'Low-Budget' videos, of which there are at least 50. These videos are illustrated books presented in the form of songs sung by Lewis, featured on historychannel.com and mainstays in his live performances.

In this episode, Jeffrey discusses his dual career, the creation of his comic book series Statix, and the inspiration behind his low-budget music videos. He shares insights into his DIY ethic, the challenges of balancing art and commerce, and his continuous pursuit of creative excellence. Reflecting on his influences, he emphasizes the profound impact of comic artist Joe Matt and musician Donovan on his work.

Key Topics

  • Jeffrey Lewis's self-description as a comic book artist and songwriter
  • Overview of Jeffrey's comic book series "Statix"
  • Influences on Jeffrey's work: Alan Moore, Daniel Clowes, Daniel Johnston, Robert Crumb, Velvet Underground, Yo La Tengo, The Fall, The Minutemen, Crass
  • Jeffrey's DIY ethic and managing his own career
  • Collaborations with Mallory Feuer on booking tours
  • The balance between art and commerce in Jeffrey's career
  • Jeffrey's longevity in the music industry and his views on success
  • Creative process and songwriting techniques
  • Importance of live performances and setlist curation
  • Comparison of Jeffrey's approach to bands like Yo La Tengo and Grateful Dead
  • Experience with "Low-Budget" videos and their impact
  • Jeffrey's thoughts on cover bands and tribute nights
  • Discussion of the Alan Ginsberg "First Blues" record and its influence

Selected Links From The Episode

#40 Mike Piacentini

Published:
Guests: Mike Piacentini

Episode Overview

Mike Piacentini is a staff mastering engineer at Battery Studios, Sony Music’s premier in-house mastering facility. Mike has mastered records for a wide variety of frontline and reissue projects with artists including Bob Dylan, Depeche Mode, Rage Against the Machine, and many others. Most recently, Mike has mastered projects such as the Grammy award-winning soundtrack - Miles Ahead - a Miles Davis biopic.

Mike is also a founding member of the band Northvale.

In this episode, Mike Piacentini joins Rich to discuss a variety of topics related to music production and the evolving landscape of the music industry. They delve into mastering techniques, including mixing immersive audio, and compare Mike’s home setup to his professional studio setup. Mike shares valuable mastering tips for laymen and provides insight into the differences between being in a band today versus previous decades, covering aspects such as recording, releasing, promoting, and touring music.

Key Topics

  • Mastering Techniques and Tips
  • Mixing Immersive Audio
  • Home Studio vs. Professional Studio Setup
  • Evolution of Band Dynamics and Industry Practices
  • Recording, Releasing, and Promoting Music Today
  • Touring in the Modern Music Landscape

Related Links

#39 Rob Janos

Published:
Guests: Rob Janos

Episode Overview

In this episode, topics discussed include the importance of music communities, hosting open mic nights, and the challenges and rewards involved. The conversation covers experiences with various bands, advice on active listening, collaboration, and maintaining professionalism in the music industry. Upcoming projects and personal reflections on creating authentic music are also highlighted.

Rob Janos Related Links

Selected Links

#38 Christian Diana

Published:
Guests: Christian Diana

Episode Overview

Christian Diana is a indie/folk artist from New Jersey. He currently releases music under the name Mourning Coffee, but also has previously been the frontman/songwriter/guitarist of the indie folk band Foxfires and the pop punk band Passing Planets.

#37 Ray Salerno

Published:
Guests: Ray Salerno

Episode Overview

Ray Andrew Salerno is a transgender singer-songwriter in the Northeast New Jersey/New York area. He uses the stage name Jamie Fett and uses his music to talk about his experiences with his mental health, grief, and gender identity. His first album, "Headed For Somewhere" will be coming out later this year. He can be found playing his music at open mic nights and at shows for small local artists throughout the North Jersey area. In the fall, he will start a graduate program to begin pursuing a master's degree in Music Therapy.

Ray is also an Edgar Allan Poe super-fan, and the author of The Fall of the House of Edgar: A Tale of Poe, Wine, and Murder, a historical fiction novel which explores the premise of one Poe’s darkest works being based on a true story.

Timestamps

  • 00:00 - Introduction
  • 05:13 - Early Songwriting Experiences
  • 11:46 - Overcoming Self-Doubt
  • 17:56 - "Latuda" Origin Story
  • 26:55 - EP Recording Process
  • 32:46 - Ukuleles and Music Gear
  • 34:40 - Reflections on Creative Writing
  • 39:28 - Personal Identity Through Creativity
  • 44:27 - Upcoming Shows Announcement
  • 47:34 - Conclusion and Thank You

    • #36 Joshua Hatcher

    Published:
    Guests: Joshua Hatcher

    Joshua Hatcher is a songwriter, keyboardist, and performing artist. He is also a professional software engineer that currently works at Spotify.

    On this episode, we explore Joshua’s musical journey, and his catalog of work. He talks about his early childhood roots and inspirations, and walks us through the various musical phases of his career from then through the present day.

    We discuss his album “Sweaty Poetry (2017)”, and his current “bedroom singles” approach in detail.

    Throughout the conversation, Joshua and Rich interplay ideas around inspiration, and the pros and cons of releasing an album in the traditional format as opposed to a string of singles.

    Support The Rich Soni Podcast

    This podcast is brought to you by Cerasonic LLC, a company founded by myself with the mission to build a content platform to converge ideas in music, technology and more.

    To support this podcast, go to shop.cerasonic.com, and purchase some merchandise. It goes a long way to support the production costs of this show since its available for free, but costs money to make.

    If you don't want merch?

    #35 Harrison Bieth and Ziggy Grover

    Published:
    Guests: Harrison Bieth, Ziggy Grover

    In this episode, Rich has a conversation with Harrison Bieth and Ziggy Grover. In addition to a few odds & ends, they mostly discuss the 2023 compilation Songs To Add Light To Dark" which was compiled by Harrison. Proceeds from this compilation are being donated to The Trevor Project. Rich & Ziggy both contributed songs to this compilation.

    –

    Ziggy Grover is a singer-songwriter from Allendale, New Jersey. Beginning his career performing at local coffee houses, Ziggy spent time wandering around music and art spaces, combining eclectic influences with narratives containing reflections, hopes, and fears.

    Since making his way through the New Jersey Open Mic stages, Ziggy has been releasing music that takes from all walks of life and performing solo or with bands Dizaster Horse and the Midnight Fox Project. He also spent time documenting and making movies out of the local music scene.

    –

    Harrison Bieth is a local New Jersey musician who has been active in the music scene since 2013. He as played in a variety of different projects over the years and recorded with a lot of talented NJ artists. He currently plays guitar and sax in Andrew & the Valentines, as well as creating solo material. His current release, entitled Through the Lens of the Mind, is available to stream on all music streaming platforms. His musical style borders on folk rock, with elements of shoegaze, progressive rock, and experimental. In addition, he created a compilation under the name The Creative Collective, entitled Songs To Add Light To Dark".

    Links:

    Support The Rich Soni Podcast

    This podcast is brought to you by Cerasonic LLC, a company founded by myself with the mission to build a content platform to converge ideas in music, technology and more.

    To support this podcast, go to shop.cerasonic.com, and purchase some merchandise. It goes a long way to support the production costs of this show since its available for free, but costs money to make.

    If you don't want merch?

    #34 Eros Marcello

    Published:
    Guests: Eros Marcello

    Episode Overview

    Eros Marcello is a Forbes-featured Techo-Dexterous Design Engineer specializing in human-interfacing, user-augmentative Artificial Intelligence - particularly conversational interfaces, LLMs and multimodal AI.
    His body of work in AI/ML includes positions @ Apple, Facebook (Meta), Samsung, Salesforce and more.
    Additionally, Eros is the founder black dream ai - and while still in stealth - is researching + developing AI-native neurotechnolgy. The firm recently announced their open-source initiatives: Ouija - “God View for your brain” and Converge - The worlds first human-machine created programming language for Neuromorphic Engineering.
    Eros Marcello is based @ NASA Ames Research Park in Silicon Valley, California, with a satellite office @ NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

    Support The Rich Soni Podcast

    This podcast is brought to you by Cerasonic LLC, a company founded by myself with the mission to build a content platform to converge ideas in music, technology and more.

    To support this podcast, go to shop.cerasonic.com, and purchase some merchandise. It goes a long way to support the production costs of this show since its available for free, but costs money to make.

    If you don't want merch?

    #33 Erin Cadigan and Liz Jezorski

    Published:
    Guests: Liz Jezorski, Erin Cadigan

    The Grateful Dead Tarot (@gratefuldeadtarot) is a powerful tarot deck and book set marrying the esoteric knowledge and symbolism of the original tarot cards with the archetypes and mythologies of Grateful Dead. Each card is an original illustration by artist, Erin Cadigan, printed in full color plus gold metallic ink. The guidebook is a loving written tome full of wisdom and esoteric secrets from author and astrologer, Elizabeth Jezorski. Both women are life long Dead Heads and tarot aficionados.

    Learn more at: https://www.gratefuldeadtarot.com/shop/p/first-edition-grateful-dead-tarot

    Elizabeth Jezorski (@wildembodiment) is the mastermind behind Grateful Dead Tarot and the author of the guidebook. She dances through life sharing wisdom she pulls from the ancient arts of astrology, ceremony, and energy work.

    As both a free soul inhabiting human form and a professional, Liz draws upon modalities of cosmos, movement, psychology and meditation to midwife the soul into wholeness and authenticity. She has a M.A. in Dance Movement Therapy and a B.A. in Transpersonal Psychology. She has spent much of her adulthood balancing between motherhood and a free wheeling existence on the road with various festivals and live music events. Being able to converge all aspects of herself into this magic moment is a dream come true.

    More on Liz can be found at www.wildembodiment.com

    Erin Cadigan (@threeerincadigan) is the illustrator and product designer of Grateful Dead Tarot. She is a life long deadhead, occultist and creative soul constantly redefining her path through this lifetime.

    After graduating university with a BFA she packed her art supplies into her van and hit the American highways, selling her art and following bands. She’s gone from selling art out of the back of her van to designing for some of the world’s largest fashion corporations to building a boutique hotel. She has engaged in projects in the fields of illustration & fine art, fashion & textile design, and academia & entrepreneurship. She is professionally and creatively diverse but it’s going to be awhile before she tops this one.

    More on Erin can be found at www.erincadigan.com

    The Rich Soni Podcast is presented by Cerasonic, LLC. Whose mission is to: lay the bedrock for a creator revolution.

    Forming bonds and fostering creative projects like this is the business of Cerasonic.

    #32 - Eddie Kamenitzer

    Published:
    Guests: Eddie Kamenitzer

    Episode Overview

    Eddie Kamenitzer is singer, songwriter, guitarist, and live audio engineer from Boonton NJ. He has been called “A cornucopia of Appalachia, Americana, and Alt-Folk”. Stuck at Home (May 2023) is his solo debut album. In addition to his work as a performer, Eddie is also a passionate member of his local music community. He is the sound engineer for Boonton Coffee Presents, an intimate live music experience.

    Follow and find more about Eddie here: https://linktr.ee/eddiekamenitzer

    The Rich Soni Podcast is presented by Cerasonic, LLC. A single member company founded and operated by the host of this podcast. To support this podcast by purchasing merch at https://shop.cerasonic.com/

    #31 - Lupe Dragon

    Published:
    Guests: Lupe Dragon

    Episode Overview

    Lupe Dragon is an alternative singer/songwriter from Northern New Jersey. She has performed in various parts of New Jersey. With the writing style of Ed Sheeran, the swagger of Billie Eilish and a voice similar to the likes of Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Alanis Morisette, she is a female powerhouse. In 2018 she recorded her EP "Can't Even Stand It" and released it in February of the following year (2019). She later went on to release a remix of her hit song "Not The Same (Out of Spite)" with fellow rap artist Aarvee, in 2020 released her single "Happiness", "Butterflies" and in 2021 her acoustic EP "Bedroom Files Vol. 1". "She gets more people riled up than half the rappers on stage"--Ryan Sullivan (BopCast 2021- Speaking on Lupe performing at Madminds Events at Boontunes).

    More recently she has released a slew of singles: Distance (2021), I Know What You Did (2022), Your Charming Head (2022), Unsaid (2023), Attached (2023).

    #30 - Jim Blass

    Published:
    Guests: Jim Blass

    Episode Overview

    Jim Blass is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and DIY record producer. On this episode we discuss the debut album of his band Meadow Wood Lane track by track.

    Follow Meadow Wood Lane on Instagram @meadowwoodlane.

    #29 - Mike Elfenbein

    Published:
    Guests: Mike Elfenbein

    Episode Overview

    Mike Elfenbein is a music producer, musician, songwriter, and designer at Splice, the digital ecosystem for music creation. His design work has reached all ends of the music creation process, and includes Native Instruments and Izotope.

    He has released a variety of music projects including My Ivory, Door Number Two, and Since June.

    Follow him on Instagram @myivorymike

    #28 - Harrison Bieth

    Published:
    Guests: Harrison Bieth

    Episode Overview

    Harrison Bieth is a singer/songwriter from Northern New Jersey. He has been playing music since he was a teenager, and has contributed to a multitude of projects over the years.

    On this episode Harrison shares the stories behind his newest songs "The Sad Breakfast", and those from "Roast Beef: Dark Roast".

    #27 - Gavin Guidry and Desmond Dickerson

    Published:
    Guests: Gavin Guidry, Desmond Dickerson

    Episode Overview

    Gavin Guidry and Desmond Dickerson are the co-creators of the Tools For Time Traveling Podcast. Gavin Guidry is a creative director of content and advertising. Desmond Dickerson is a futurist and a marketing director.

    Selected Links

    #26 - Evan Miklosey & Andrew T. Miles

    Published:
    Guests: Evan Micklosey, Andrew T. Miles

    Episode Overview

    In this episode, Andrew T. Miles, a master pianist and composer, returns with his friend and fellow musician, Evan Miklosey. Together, they have formed the collaboration known as EMATM (Evan Miklosey / Andrew T. Miles), building on the foundation of their individual experiences, as discussed in Rich Soni Podcast #21 and Rich Soni Podcast #24 - Andrew T. Miles.

    The conversation in this episode explores the origins of their partnership and examines Evan's music, which draws inspiration from technical prog rock and the works of Michael Hedges and Don Ross.

    Evan shares his experiences in mastering his technique and the nuances of performing as a solo artist in small, intimate venues. He emphasizes the importance of selecting attentive environments over loud coffee shops or bars for his performances.The episode also touches upon the impact of their collaboration on Andrew's and Evan's respective musical journeys.

    Other Episodes Featuring Andrew T. Miles

    1. Rich Soni Podcast #24 - Andrew T. Miles
    2. Rich Soni Podcast #21 - Andrew T. Miles

    Selected Links

    1. youtube/@atmiles88 - Andrew's Youtube channel, where he regularly posts
    2. instagram/mikloseye - Evan Miklosey's Instagram
    3. EMATM on Youtube

    Connect with Andrew T. Miles

    #25 - Mallory Feuer

    Published:
    Guests: Mallory Feuer

    Episode Overview

    Mallory Feuer is a talented hypercreative who is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, artist, and software developer.

    On this episode we discuss her musical origins, her tenure as a member of the now defunct Sidewalk Cafe Open Mic scene, her development as a songwriter, and founding The Grasping Straws.

    We discuss The Grasping Straws' music at length, and this episode will present their music in between the discussion.One topic we dive deep into the recording process, and the songwriting process.  We discuss the growth of the group, and why their upcoming album "Patterns" is the culmination of that growth.

    Mallory also is a member of Jeffrey Lewis and The Voltage, and has been on tour, and recorded with them recently.  We discuss how being in this group has influenced her work with The Grasping Straws, and we discuss her experience in that group in general.

    We also spend a decent amount of time talking about touring, and the intricacies of what is involved to pull one off successfully.  We hope you enjoy listening to this discussion as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you.

    Selected Links

    1. https://www.thegraspingstraws.com/
    2. The Grasping Straws on Youtube
    3. The Grasping Straws on Spotify
    4. Jeffrey Lewis on Spotify
    5. https://thejeffreylewissite.com/
    6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SideWalk_Cafe

    #24 - Andrew T. Miles

    Published:
    Guests: Andrew T. Miles

    Episode Overview

    Andrew T. Miles is a master pianist, prolific composer and veteran performer within the New Jersey open mic scene.  As an artist, Andrew encodes himself within his compositions.  As he says himself, "to know my music is to know me."

    On this episode, Andrew relates the meaning of a selection of his compositions through conversation and performance.  Like much of his music, the selections in this episode have a philosophical bent, which focus on Andrew's firm commitment to authenticity and individuality.

    Selected Links

    1. Rich Soni Podcast #21 - Andrew T. Miles - last episode with Andrew
    2. youtube/@atmiles88 - Andrew's Youtube channel, where he regularly posts
    3. Shatter The Glass by Andrew T. Miles
    4. Departure by Andrew T. Miles
    5. Keys To My Inner Sanctum by Andrew T. Miles
    6. 3:02 by Andrew T. Miles

    Connect with Andrew T. Miles

    #23 - Harrison Bieth

    Published:
    Guests: Harrison Bieth

    Episode Overview

    This episode features excerpts of a conversation between Rich Soni and Harrison Bieth.

    In this conversation, Harrison shares the background of his newly released EP: Roast Beef: Light Roast.

    Harrison Bieth is a singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from northern New Jersey, USA.

    This is the fourth episode of The Rich Soni Podcast featuring Harrison.

    Others include:

    1. Episode 20 - which covers parts of his 2020 album Splash of the Oceanic Sky, as well as the concept of 'unlocking' artists with a higher appreciation curve, as well as much more
    2. Episode 17 - which covers other parts of Splash of the Oceanic Sky, and much more
    3. Episode 11 - where we explore some of Harrison's earlier work, and contributions to other projects

    #22 - Carlos Granados (Neutral Spanish)

    Published:
    Guests: Carlos Granados

    Episode Overview

    This episode features an interview with Software Engineer & Songwriter Carlos Granados.  Carlos recently released a new song titled "Therapy", under his pseudonym, "Neutral Spanish".  In this episode, Rich and Carlos discuss the background of the song, the composition, the Carlos' journey to Germany to record it, and he performs the song live.  Carlos also gives us a preview of another Untitled song that he is currently working on.

    Carlos was also interviewed on Episode 5 of this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NaBKyEjZ8GI4S5dN7DNtk?si=adf918f3b8bb451a

    On that episode, Carlos speaks about his app 'Cuely'.

    #21 - Andrew T. Miles

    Published:
    Guests: Andrew T. Miles

    Episode Overview

    Composer/pianist Andrew T. Miles is one whose musical style can be described in a number of ways, such as thought-provoking, introspective, head-scratching, somewhat avant-garde, and even funky at times. Since the age of 13, he has composed 70 of his own tunes, and he has no plans of stopping anytime soon. He has a long history of performing at multiple North Jersey open mic nights, but he’s also played at open mics in upstate New York and northeastern Pennsylvania, and co-headlined two concerts.

    Being an oft-misunderstood soul since early youth, Andrew’s firm commitment to authenticity and individuality shows up in multiple aspects of his life, including his music. To know his music is to know him, and his music tends to have a philosophical bent, especially with titles like “Blinded by Eyesight”, “The Internal Pendulum of Misalignment”, “The Stentorian Silence of the Privileged”, among others.

    Connect with Andrew T. Miles

    #20 - Harrison Bieth

    Published:
    Guests: Harrison Bieth

    Episode Overview

    Harrison Bieth is a singer songwriter from Northern New Jersey. He has been playing music since he was a teenager and has played in many projects over the years.

    https://open.spotify.com/artist/3bZRcklgTpQmHO7lrEMs22?si=xHyEEy6TSoGKfB0stKrKcA


    Highlights

    • The second half of Harrison's 2021 album "Splash of the Oceanic Sky"
    • The idea of "Unlocking" as a metaphor for the sudden deepening of appreciation for a specific artist or their work  

    Parts

    • Part 1: Episode Introduction
    • Part 2: Talking 'Thrilling Exhaustion'
    • Part 3: Talking Nick Drake's 'Pink Moon'
    • Part 4: The relationship between recording and songwriting
    • Part 5: More "Thrilling Exhaustion" Talk
    • Part 6: Talking Black Country New Road
    • Part 7: Guessing Artist Monthly Listeners
    • Part 8: Talking Bright Eyes
    • Part 9: Talking More Bright Eyes
    • Part 10: Parallels between Bob Dylan and Conor Oberst
    • Part 11: Talking Punk & Machine Gun Kelly
    • Part 12: Talking Travis Barker, Avril Lavigne, The Matrix, Liz Phair
    • Part 13: Parallels between Liz Phair and Bob Dylan
    • Part 14: Talking the Mooney Suzuki
    • Part 15: Talking Garage Rock
    • Part 16: Talking Arctic Monkeys
    • Part 17: 2000's Indie
    • Part 18: idk
    • Part 19: Talking 'Hot Fuss'
    • Part 20: Talking 'Good News for People Who Love Bad News'
    • Part 21: Talking Modest Mouse
    • Part 22: Unlocking Bands
    • Part 23: Unlocking Radiohead
    • Part 24: Talking Rush
    • Part 25: Parallels between Rush and Radiohead
    • Part 26: Unlocking Rush
    • Part 27: American Football's Influence on Acid Cloud
    • Part 28: 'Acid Cloud' Backstory
    • Part 29: Production Effecting Sound
    • Part 30: Tracking 'Acid Cloud'
    • Part 31: Talking 'Billy Breathes'
    • Part 32: Talking 'Floored For the Board'
    • Part 33: The 'Floored For the Board' Keyboard Solo
    • Part 34: Talking Taco Song
    • Part 35: Talking Taco Song Still
    • Part 36: Talking Taco Song Again
    • Part 37: Talking Breakfast Song

    #19 - Mike Piacentini

    Published:
    Guests: Mike Piacentini

    Episode Overview

    Mike Piacentini is a staff mastering engineer at Battery Studios, Sony Music’s premier in house mastering facility.  Mike has mastered records for a wide variety of frontline and reissue projects with artists including Bob Dylan, Depeche Mode, Rage Against the Machine, and many others.  Most recently Mike has mastered projects such as the Grammy award winning soundtrack - Miles Ahead - A Miles Davis biopic.

    Mike is also a founding member of the band Northvale.

    In this episode, Mike and Rich discuss a variety of topics including mastering (mixing immersive audio, his home setup and studio setup, mastering tips of laymen etc.), and the differences in what it means to be a band today vs. the previous decades (recording, release and promotion, touring, etc.)

    #18 - Andrew Nieporent

    Published:
    Guests: Andrew Nieporent

    Episode Overview

    This episode features excerpts from an interview with Andrew Nieporent. Andrew is a music therapist, musician, and singer/songwriter. Andrew talks about his album "W/ You in Rockland", and the background behind the first few tracks.

    #17 - Harrison Bieth

    Published:
    Guests: Harrison Bieth

    Episode Overview

    This is the second episode featuring Harrison.  In this conversation, we discuss songwriting, influences, and recording.  We explore the first half of Harrison's 2021 album: "Splash of the Oceanic Sky". Harrison Bieth is a singer songwriter from Northern New Jersey.  He has been playing music since he was a teenager and has played in many projects over the years.  He currently performs with the group Quality Living, playing sax and percussion.  He recently released his new record: Splash Of The Oceanic Sky.

    Timestamps

    1. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Recap of Last Appearance
    2. 00:03:18 - Recording 'Splash of the Oceanic Sky'
    3. 00:08:38 - Album sequencing
    4. 00:15:29 - Talking 'Crazy Glue'
    5. 00:19:57 - Talking 'Crazy Glue' (continued)
    6. 00:28:55 - Talking Duncan Shiek's "On Her Mind"
    7. 00:34:51 - Talking 'Crazy Glue' & 'On Her Mind'
    8. 00:41:59 - Bar-raising in songwriting
    9. 00:42:43 - Rich's songwriting beginnings
    10. 00:44:55 - Harrison's songwriting beginnings
    11. 00:59:24 - Talking Queens of the Stone Age
    12. 01:15:50 - Talking Elliott Smith
    13. 01:22:10 - Talking 'Fatal Knockout'
    14. 01:23:05 - Talking "One Way Ticket To Collapse"
    15. 01:27:42 - Artwork
    16. 01:35:35 - Talking "Sideways"
    17. 01:47:57 - Talking various bands
    18. 02:02:39 - Talking The Beatles
    19. 02:16:02 - Talking "The White Album" by The Beatles
    20. 02:21:22 - Talking "The White Album" (continued)
    21. 02:23:53 - Goodbye

    #16 - Final Call

    Published:
    Guests: Evan Brandow, Pat Carrol, Greg Diem

    Episode Overview

    Final Call is a pop punk/alternative rock band based on Long Island, New York. This episode features a conversation with Pat Carroll (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Greg Diem (lead guitar), and Evan Brandow (drums).


    In 2016, Final Call released their debut EP entitled “What Lies Ahead”, which received several positive reviews and has reached fans in places as far as Indonesia and Ireland. The band's follow up effort, "Suburban Summer", was released in October, 2018 with the song "Farewell" being featured on Spotify's "Pop Punk Not Dead" and "New Punk Tracks" playlists. In August 2019, the band released "Roller Coaster Love", a single that was met with critical acclaim. Love It To Death UK claimed "A catchy verse leads to one of the most memorable and creative choruses I've heard in a hell of a long time, and there's even a tasty guitar solo that spices up the oftentimes stagnant genre. With these guys around, pop punk might just not be dead, after all". New single “Jersey Girls” was released in February, 2022 as the lead single for an upcoming debut LP coming this year!

    #15 - Scott Jung

    Published:
    Guests: Scott Jung

    Episode Overview

    Scott Jung is not just a singer-songwriter, but a storyteller, blending the unique styles of the Jersey Shore, Nashville, and Ireland. You can find him on social media (@scottnj1129 on Twitter or Instagram) and his original music can be found on Bandcamp.

    Timestamps

    1. 00:00:00-Introduction
    2. 00:08:49-Wild Rover
    3. 00:12:59-Talking About "I'm On Fire"
    4. 00:18:20-"I'm On Fire"
    5. 00:20:56-Talking About "If I Was A Priest"

    #14 - Andrew Nieporent

    Published:
    Guests: Andrew Nieporent

    Episode Overview

    Andrew is a music therapist, musician, and singer/songwriter.  The conversation on this episode revolves roughly around the second half of Andrew's 2021 release: "The Second Renaissance".


    On a previous episode (Episode 4), Rich & Andrew explored the first half of the album. 

    #13 - Noah Ruede (Music & Talk)

    Published:
    Guests: Noah Ruede

    Episode Overview

    Noah Ruede is a Product Manager at Booking.com. He is also a musician and songwriter, and has released two EP's with his New York band, Talking Dog, before moving to Amsterdam in 2018.

    #12 - Eros Marcello

    Published:
    Guests: Eros Marcello

    Episode Overview

    Eros Marcello designs and architects multimodal HCI, ambient UX/UI and cognitive personification for human-interfacing Artificial Intelligence. He’s been featured in Forbes for his work in AI, particularly @ Samsung, Royal Caribbean, GlaxoSmithKline, Cigna, University of Phoenix and many more. He’s also a former SpaceX Hyperloop Competition contestant.

    #11 - Harrison Bieth

    Published:
    Guests: Harrison Bieth

    Episode Overview

    Harrison Bieth is a singer songwriter from Northern New Jersey.  He has been playing music since he was a teenager and has played in many projects over the years.  He currently performs with the group Quality Living, playing sax and percussion.  He recently released his new record: Splash Of The Oceanic Sky.

    #10 - Darryl Campbell

    Published:
    Guests: Darryll Campbell

    Episode Overview

    In this episode Rich has a conversation with Darryl about music and more.  Darryl is a young man living in Blacksburg, VA, Darryl's striving to find his place in the world. A lover of the mountains, with a passion for skating, movies, nature, and photography, he'll find a way to mix them all together. Weirdly able to talk to anyone who's got a thought in their head, and maybe with some graffiti walls too. Ask him anything and a cascade of thoughts will roll out. Coming soon: Darryl's Youtube Channel (whatever he decides to call it).

    #9 - Adam Zucker (Music & Talk)

    Published:
    Guests: Adam Zucker

    Episode Overview

    This episode features a conversation between Rich Soni and Adam Zucker.  They mostly discuss rock music from the 90s. Adam Zucker is a Software Developer, Musician and Music Enthusiast.

    #8 - Jim Boy Star (Music & Talk)

    Published:
    Guests: Jim Boy Star

    Episode Overview

    In this episode Rich has a conversation with Jim Boy Star.  Jim Boy Star is a podcast personality and creator.  His most notable projects are 'Now Thats What I Call A Podcasting' and 'Bill Learns Kingdom Hearts'

    #7 - Chris Brause (Music & Talk)

    Published:
    Guests: Chris Brause

    Episode Overview

    Chris Brause is a product designer, musician, and nature-nerd currently working on the Tech Incubation team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. After a few years working at music venues and record labels he shifted into the world of UX, designing with companies like IBM, AWS, and Mercedes Benz.

    #6 - Darryl Campbell (Music & Talk)

    Published:
    Guests: Darryll Campbell

    Episode Overview

    Rich has a conversation with Darryl Campbell.  Darryl has a background in psychology and management consulting.  Darryl & Rich were childhood friends, and shared an affinity for Skateboarding, video games, and music.  All of which are discussed in this episode as they share music with each other.

    #5 - Carlos Granados

    Published:
    Guests: Carlos Granados

    Episode Overview

    This episode features a conversation between Rich Soni and Carlos Granados.  They discuss a variety of topics including Carlos' experience when moving from Peru to America as a child, whiskey appreciation, and music.  They also reminisce some shared experiences while working at WeWork.

    Carlos Granados is an entrepreneur and technologist.  He is currently a tech lead and software engineer at WeWork.  He is also the co-founder of Cuely, a platform that empowers businesses and customers alike to act safely and efficiently by eliminating physical lines. 

    #4 - Andrew Nieporent (Music + Talk)

    Published:
    Guests: Andrew Nieporent

    Episode Overview

    Andrew is a music therapist, musician, and singer/songwriter.  He hosts the open mic night at the Ridgewood Coffee Company in Ridgewood NJ, and is, as I say: "The Dave Van Ronk of the Northern NJ open mic scene.

    Andrew is in the process of releasing tracks from his upcoming album.  In this episode, Andrew and I discuss each of the first four tracks, he plays them acoustically for us, and we showcase the studio versions.

    #3 - Adam Zucker (Music + Talk)

    Published:
    Guests: Adam Zucker

    Episode Overview

    Adam Zucker is a Software Developer, Musician, and Music Enthusiast.  On this episode we discuss the music of Tom Waits.

    #2 - Ian Grabill

    Published:
    Guests: Ian Grabill

    Episode Overview

    Ian Grabill is an entrepreneur, developer and creator.  He is the head of engineering at Bl3ndlabs, and his latest side hustle is HostedHooks.  In this episode we discuss side hustles, the software development process, and the stages of incubating a company.

    Timestamps

    1. 00:00:00 - Introduction
    2. 00:10:00 - Middle
    3. 00:56:35 - Conclusion

    #1 - Adam Zucker (Music + Talk Cowboy Songs)

    Published:
    Guests: Adam Zucker

    Episode Overview

    Adam Zucker is a Software Developer, Musician, and Music Enthusiast.

    On this episode we showcase some of our favorite cowboy songs as well amongst other things.