Episode Overview

Eddie Wilson is a professional firefighter in Newark, NJ, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, a Catholic convert, and a lifelong friend of Rich's since fifth grade. He and his father are co-writing Chronicles of Newark, a historical narrative about the Newark Fire Department's horse-drawn era, centered on Chief Robert "Daredevil Bob" Kirstead — a Civil War cavalry veteran who served under General Custer before becoming Newark's most celebrated fire chief.

In this episode, Eddie and Rich discuss podcast production tools, the arc of the Newark fire department from bucket brigades to horse-drawn steam engines, the Civil War history behind Kirstead's career, and the lessons from line-of-duty deaths that still shape modern firefighting. Eddie also shares his journey from atheism through stoicism to Catholicism, his views on dependability over independence, and the books and thinkers who have shaped his worldview — including Epictetus, Scott Adams, Ryan Holiday, and Nassim Taleb. He closes by reading a passage from the manuscript about the end of the horse-drawn era.

Episode Overview

Harrison Bieth is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Northern New Jersey. Since his last appearance on the podcast, Harrison has released his latest full-length album, Laughter Music, recorded with longtime collaborator Max Rauch at Domestic Bliss Recording.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Catching up, Slipstream changes & current projects
• 01:26 – Entering the Clearviews & evolving live bands
• 03:34 – Releasing Laughter Music after six years
• 07:20 – Revisiting Harrison’s catalog & artistic growth
• 15:20 – Humor, food songs & the spirit of Harry’s Killing It
• 17:34 – Buying the dream Telecaster & new gear chapter
• 19:10 – Contributing saxophone to the film Gazer
• 24:58 – Nashville trip & seeing Jack White live
• 33:14 – Bad Bunny, Rosalía & exploring Latin music
• 42:10 – Laughter Music: sequencing, themes & writing catchier songs
• 47:35 – “What You Wanted” song discussion
• 54:40 – “It’s Been a Minute” song discussion
• 1:03:54 – “Heartache and Pain” autotune, rhythm & production choices
• 1:07:55 – Favorite lyrics, pizza verse & Lost references
• 1:12:30 – “Secret Truth” revisited
• 1:18:45 – Earlier material that still holds up live
• 1:26:20 – Working with Max Rauch & recording chemistry
• 1:34:10 – Songwriting confidence & letting go of self-doubt
• 1:42:00 – Future releases, shows & closing thoughts

Episode Overview

Roe O'Brien (Roe Knows Best) is a New Jersey-based singer-songwriter. Following her Northbound EP and collaborative Weekend at Mauchie's project with Max Rauch, Roe has now released her first full-length album, "Now Arriving at Secaucus Junction", recorded with Doug Gallo. In 2025, she formed her first full band with guitarist Mike Farrell, bassist Paul Calabrese, and drummer Benjamin Delloiacono, bringing her songs to life on stages across New Jersey.

In this episode, Roe discusses the making of "Now Arriving at Secaucus Junction" and her production philosophy of "no moment wasted." We dive deep into tracks like "Out of Touch," "Suffocate," "Smoke in the Furniture," "Secaucus Junction," "191 Bus," and "TV Tyranny," exploring her songwriting process, her approach to defying expectations, and how forming a full band has informed her future work. Roe also shares insights about her choir background, her melody-driven approach to songwriting, her experiences navigating open mic nights, and the authentic New Jersey transit sounds that bring the album's title track to life.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction and Catching Up
• 01:20 – Album Announcement: "Now Arriving at Secaucus Junction"
• 02:36 – Forming the Full Band
• 06:04 – Band Rehearsals and Learning Songs
• 10:13 – How Band Experience Informs Future Songwriting
• 12:49 – Choir Background and Listening Skills
• 15:59 – Memorizing Lyrics and Melody as Conversation
• 19:29 – Melody Machine and Voice Notes Archive
• 22:33 – Breaking Form and Defying Expectations
• 25:56 – Open Mic Experiences and Fighting for Audience Attention
• 32:44 – Concert Phone Recording Discussion
• 58:34 – Working with Doug Gallo on the Album
• 1:01:26 – Production Philosophy: "No Moment Wasted"
• 1:02:27 – "Out of Touch" Deep Dive
• 1:07:10 – Percussive Elements and Defying Expectations
• 1:22:33 – "Suffocate" Song Discussion
• 1:44:26 – "Smoke in the Furniture" Discussion
• 1:49:56 – "Secaucus Junction" Song Discussion
• 1:51:28 – NJ Transit Samples and Authenticity
• 2:36:10 – "191 Bus" Discussion
• 2:43:45 – "TV Tyranny" Discussion
• 3:02:13 – Closing Thoughts

Episode Overview

Andrew Nieporent is a New Jersey songwriter, music therapist, and the bandleader behind Andrew and the Kindly Ones. He also hosts the Rock N' Joe open mic in Caldwell and is a longtime organizer within the North Jersey music community.

In this episode Andrew previews The Kindly Ones—arriving November 15 at Cedar Beans Coffee Joint—and digs into the new single “Dangerous.” We talk about collaborative songwriting with his bandmates and son Ray, honoring the late John Simon, plans to “go electric,” building inclusive open mic spaces, recording with Steve Carter in Nashville, and the show’s Lost-inspired concept.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Catching up & the evolution to Andrew and the Kindly Ones
• 04:20 – Producing The Kindly Ones and stepping into the producer role
• 10:45 – Co-writing the new material and releasing the single “Dangerous”
• 16:20 – Live tracking sessions, Trading Eights, and giving the whole band shine
• 21:30 – Remembering John Simon and preparing to go electric after the tribute
• 27:00 – Fall show calendar: Cedar Beans release party, Big & Tall, and more
• 31:40 – Archiving performances, capturing community moments, and live recordings
• 42:20 – Meeting Ray (Jamie Fett) and the story of becoming family
• 48:10 – Music therapy mindset, social justice, and showing up for community
• 55:20 – Rock N' Joe open mic strategy and cultivating a listening audience
• 1:05:30 – Nashville sessions with Steve Carter and engineering with Adam Biener
• 1:15:10 – Curating eight songs, Lost references, and the mythology framing the record
• 1:21:20 – Easter eggs, catchphrases, and weaving pop culture into the album
• 1:37:40 – Leveling up on “Dangerous,” release-week plans, and open mic invites

Episode Overview

Rob Janos is a New Jersey musician, producer, and songwriter who has been involved in the local music scene for many years. Known for his work with the band Asphalt Grey and his production work with various artists, Rob has also been a co-host of open mic nights and an active member of the New Jersey music community.

Rob discusses his upcoming tribute show for his close friend John Simon, who passed away suddenly in March. The conversation covers his musical influences from blues to garage rock, his work with Asphalt Grey, and his recent efforts to remaster and re-release their catalog.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Kicking Off & Reintroductions
• 03:58 – John Simon Tribute Show Announcement
• 05:07 – John's Musical Journey & Rob's Production Work
• 07:17 – The Emotional Impact of Loss
• 10:02 – Show Details & Band Lineup
• 15:00 – Revisiting John's Music & "After I'm Gone"
• 20:00 – Song Selection & "Just Trying" Deep Dive
• 25:00 – Finnegan's Venue & Live Music Scene
• 30:00 – The Power of Musical Tributes
• 35:00 – Blues Influences & Robert Johnson
• 40:00 – White Stripes & Jack White's Impact
• 45:00 – Iggy Pop & Garage Rock
• 50:00 – Nightbob Stories & Rock History
• 55:00 – Asphalt Grey Reunion & Catalog Restoration
• 1:05:00 – Creative Merchandise & Video Game Ideas
• 1:10:00 – Kosmoseratops & Branding
• 1:15:00 – New Album Progress & Future Plans
• 1:20:00 – Plugs & Goodbyes

Episode Overview

Max Rauch (MAUCH) and Roe O'Brien (Roe Knows Best) are two New Jersey songwriters and collaborators. After connecting through Pizza Bagel Records, the pair wrote and recorded their EP, "Weekend at Mauchie's...Vol. 1," in five days at Domestic Bliss Studio in West Orange. The EP is a genre-blending collection featuring indie rock anthems ("Ghost Town"), pop singles ("Friends with Aliens"), dance rock homages ("Shark Attack!!!"), and a ballad about addiction ("To Be Loved").

On this episode, Max and Roe talk about their creative process, the story behind each track, and what it's like to combine their musical voices. They also share insights into their individual journeys and the New Jersey music community.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Kicking Off & Reintroductions
• 02:00 – How This Collab Started
• 04:00 – Five Days, Four Songs: The Process
• 06:00 – Enter Doug Gallo
• 09:00 – Roe's Solo Work & Jersey Ties
• 10:00 – Studio Rules: Prepared vs. Spontaneous
• 13:00 – Songwriting Summer Camp Vibes
• 15:00 – Track Order & Creative Flow
• 20:00 – Track Deep Dives
• Ghost Town – Stoned at School & John Cozz Cameo
• Friends with Aliens – 90s Pop & Radio Single Energy
• Shark Attack!!! – Dance Rock & Dirtbag Anthems
• To Be Loved – Getting Real About Addiction
• 33:00 – Pizza Bagel Lore & Scene Building
• 36:00 – Why We Archive
• 40:00 – Real Talk: Collaboration & Authenticity
• 1:10:00 – Plugs & Goodbyes

Episode Overview

Harrison also shares insights about his various musical projects, including Andrew and The Kindly Ones (formerly known as Andrew And the Valentines, featuring Andrew Nieporent), Slipstream (with Ray Salerno and Jim Blass), and his live collaborations with Ziggy Grover under the moniker HZG.

Episode Overview

In this conversation, AC discusses his approach to songwriting and production, the creation of character-driven concept albums, and his upcoming project that combines both a new album and a short film. He shares insights into his creative process and his philosophy on balancing personal projects with collaborations.

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Introduction and Name Origins
• 04:21 - Current Projects and Film Announcement
• 12:33 - The Character of Rosie and Album Concept
• 25:53 - Production Philosophy and Influences
• 41:35 - Working with Other Artists
• 46:51 - Production Influences
• 56:57 - Guitar Influences and Live Performance
• 1:02:52 - Upcoming Projects and Film Collaboration

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.

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Mike Piacentini's Website - https://mikepmastering.com
• Battery Studios Profile - https://batterystudios.com/engineer/mike-piacentini
• Mike Piacentini on Instagram - https://instagram.com/mikepmastering
• Rich Soni Podcast: #19 - Mike Piacentini (March 2022) - https://richsonipodcast.com/episodes/rsp0019-mike-piacentini
• Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2024 Remaster) - https://discogs.com/release/30695482-Modest-Mouse-Good-News-For-People-Who-Love-Bad-News
• Northvale - https://northvaleband.com
• Bob Dylan and The Band - The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11 - https://discogs.com/master/755203-Bob-Dylan-And-The-Band-The-Basement-Tapes-Complete-The-Bootleg-Series-Vol-11
• Roland SPD-SX Sampling Pad - https://bhphotovideo.com/c/product/823851-REG/Roland_SPD_SX_Sampling_Pad.html/?cnxclid=17187672047930040189119111198008005

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.

Selected Links

• Harrison Bieth - https://richsonipodcast.com/guests/harrison-bieth/
• Andrew Nieporent - https://richsonipodcast.com/guests/andrew-nieporent/
• Ray Salerno - https://richsonipodcast.com/guests/ray-salerno/
• Lez Zeppelin - https://lezzeppelin.com/
• Bob Dylan - https://bobdylan.com/

Episode Overview

Episode Overview

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?

• Tip us on Venmo: ⁠https://venmo.com/u/cerasonic⁠

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?

• Tip us on Venmo: ⁠https://venmo.com/u/cerasonic⁠

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.

• Learn more at https://theothereros.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erosmarcello/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erosmarcello/

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/

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).

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.

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

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".

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

• https://www.toolsfortimetraveling.com/
• Listen to the Tools for Time Traveling Podcast on Spotify
• Follow Tools for Time Traveling on Instagram

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

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

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

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

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'.

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.

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  

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.)

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.

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

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!

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"

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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'

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Episode Overview

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

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

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.