Visit instagram.com/RileyHodgesMusic at 7:00 PM to tune-in to our Listening Party!
I will be engaging with fans and inviting you to associate words or feelings with the music of Life On Mars!
You will hear the music of Life On Mars on a Vinyl Record Test Pressing!
Pre-order your copy here on Vinyl and here as a Digital Download (release date: 1/22/21)
Support Independent Artists!
Thank you!
Cheers,
Riley
“Life On Mars” is an Americana Music Album.
Life On Mars is all about dreaming of a better place filled with love and empathy.
When I set out on this journey 4 years ago to the day, or thereabouts…
Entering 2017 was a time of great change during our nation’s inauguration.
Previously, I had been inspired on a journey through Iceland in September and October of 2016.
When I returned home I felt compelled to write, and to speak my mind…
So here we are again, and we have righted the ship, but not without sustained damages.
Today I am making a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:
You can purchase the album now for $5.99 at my Cosmic Store.
You can Pre-Order the Vinyl Record here for $34.99. PREORDER IN ADVANCE & RECEIVE A SPECIAL PRIZE.
With that said, I’m excited to tell you that I’m finally committed to a release schedule that makes sense and I think you will enjoy!
TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF MY OFFICIAL LAUNCH SEQUENCE WHERE I WILL BE HIGHLIGHTING THE MUSIC OF “LIFE ON MARS“
The Launch sequence begins with a Listening Party on Thursday, 1/21/21 at 7PM where I will ask fans to engage with me on my ‘gram account @RileyHodgesMusic 🙂
I will be asking fans to comment words or feelings that come to mind that I will then use to inform my release schedule and I will create an interactive game for fans to play along with me and help write the “Story of Life On Mars” – check out #OURSTORY_LOM on the ‘gram.
From there I will be highlighting each song on the album in order of appearance, including:
Recently, I’ve been working on a TV show that I created called Cosmic Cocktails where I announced the date of my Life On Mars album release for Friday 1/22/21.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, there are still some delays for the Vinyl Record that I cannot account for – most importantly, the Vinyl Record I have been working on is taking longer than expected (I do have test pressings completed and you can check them out during my Listening Party on Thursday, 1/21/21).
You can Pre-order the Vinyl Record for “Life On Mars” by visiting my website here.
Howdy Friends, Fam, and all you Dreamers out there!
It’s a New Year, and I’ve got a proposition for you:
Listen…
Listen to the sound of the trees rustling in the wind, and the sun warming your skin.
Hear the Moon cry in the night, and the animals fight for their right.
It’s a menagerie of thoughts and ideas abound… a cosmic stage, round and round.
This Thursday you can tune-in to my Cosmic Soiree kicking off at 7PM for a listen of:
Listen, reflect, and engage… during my fireside chat with Life On Mars spinning on vinyl and yours truly to walk you through each song…
You can help us launch this thing the right way, with friends and family despite the distance we all share at the moment.
I'll also announce a release schedule where you can follow along, song-by-song and word-by-word, as we write the Story of "Life On Mars."
Have you received your Passport to Mars?
Visit RileyHodges.com to order “Life On Mars”
Upcoming Launch Codes: follow the account below to get started
1/21/21 – Listening Party Livestream @RILEYHODGESMUSIC – comment + interact with the music of LIFE ON MARS on VINYL as we TEST LAUNCH at 7PM.
DATE TBD – Preorder Party Livestream (POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER) – be among the first to help us get off the GROUND with your signed copy of LIFE ON MARS – PREORDER IN ADVANCE & RECEIVE A SPECIAL PRIZE.
CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR MORE UPDATES – FULL LAUNCH SEQUENCE SCHEDULE PENDING…
Howdy Friends, Family, Seekers of Truth, and all you Dreamers out there,
“Live One” is live now, just live in the now, love one another, and stay a “Live One.”
Listen on your favorite streaming app, and check out the music video I made from my trip to Iceland.
“Live One,” is a new single from our coming album, “Life on Mars” that was written on a journey through Iceland.
“Life on Mars” represents our collective ability to create a better world filled with Love and Empathy, asking the question, “If we were to go to Mars, what would we want to do differently?”
Stay tuned for our Kickstarter launch 3.20.20 (update, links to Preorder on my website) and help support artists promoting a vision of love and empathy through inspired Americana Music and High Quality imagery from a journey through Iceland.
“Within this or that are those that seek nought in the shackles breaking.” Lyrics from “Live One.”
Thank you for reading and please stay in touch!
Riley Hodges – Vocals, Lyrics, Guitar, Hammond B3
Tim Bullock – Bass Guitar
Eric Hirschhorn – Saxophone
Antoine Arvizu – Producer, Drums, Engineer
FULL LYRICS for “Live One”
I’ve been waiting for a sign that I should’ve seen 10 days ago. Staring at a blue sky swirling into red again. Like a vibrational high, I contemplate that I’m not fading. Just purify your mind. We’ll tear apart a magnet, baby. The rolling winds bring life when they whisper bursts of nothingness. I wonder if it’s known that we can be the nothingness. Like a thousand year stone and they call upon the night, “A Live One! A Live One!”
Capture moments that are still and wish we were forever now. The mother of this world uttering divine to men. If One is a gift to the many, God is manifest in contemplating. Within this or that are those that seek naught in the shackles breaking. Stillness in your mind, and it feels just like a loving kiss. Pouring rain in this life will bring returns of genesis. What’s it like to be a stone that’s shot into magma bursting out? I’ve been waiting for a sign and they call upon the night, “A Live One! A Live One!”
In purity of mind does choice bring moral prominence? Does our manifest deserve One and serve the greater good, or is it like the stone blessed by divine metamorphosing? When do we satisfy ourselves and have compassion on doors closing? Are we doomed to befall the consequence of our own bliss? I wonder if it’s known that we can be the nothingness. I’ve been waiting for a sign and the horse brings a gift. “A Live One! A Live One!” Echoes through the night and I am alright. “A Live One! A Live One!” I’ve been waiting for a sign and they call upon the night, “A Live One! A Live One!” © 2020 Riley Hodges
Riley Hodges is a musician from Long Beach, CA, and is the lead singer and songwriter for the Cosmic Cowboys. The music has roots in Americana with each song distinctly all its own.
“Street Walker” is the opening track of “Life on Mars” that recites the exclaims of pedestrian life through bouncy beats, clean guitar riffs and a padded saxophone, while “Maybelline,” a dreamer wanting to sleep among the stars, follows a laid-back funk-rhythm that is supported by uplifting vocals and a Hammond B3.
Riley grew up in his families bar business in Long Beach, CA and credits his parents for introducing him to good music. His mom had the hippest collection of music among his friends, and Riley’s uncle Roland, lead singer and keyboardist from the Elm Street Band, would play backyard parties at their house and events in the neighborhood while Riley was growing up. Riley began piano lessons at a young age, eventually switching to drums for a few years, then as a teenager picked up a guitar and learned to sing. Fast forward to adulthood, Riley operates Shannon’s bars, restaurant, and entertainment venue with his family, and as those businesses have grown, Riley intends to focus more on writing, recording, and playing live music. Over the past several years, Riley has written and recorded 20 original songs with growing commercial success. Listeners describe his music as catchy, upbeat, thoughtful and enjoyable.
Before the Cosmic Cowboys, Riley met and formed Taste of Red with his friends, John Capito and Tim Bullock, and they were fortunate to play their biggest venue to date at The Observatory in Orange County, CA. Fast forward several years later and John is now the lead guitar player for the Cosmic Cowboys, and their next biggest performance is scheduled for March 14, 2020 where the Cosmic Cowboys are ready to play to a large crowd of festival attendees for St. Pat’s Party on Pine hosted by Shannon’s Corner in Long Beach, CA.
Thanks again for reading! We appreciate your support, and we hope you enjoy the release of “Live One.”
P.s. If you haven’t seen our Kickstarter teaser, check it out here and consider making a pledge when we launch our Kickstarter on 3.20.20 for a cause that stands for Love and Empathy! Our goal is to raise $10,0000 so we can release “Life on Mars” on “vinyllll, vinyllll, vinylll!” in the Fall of 2020. With a little courage you too can experience this inspired vision through a beautifully produced Americana music album by hardworking humans just like you! Together, we can change the world through positive vibrations 🙂
Arriving in España reminded me of the time I spent here while studying abroad in Barcelona. We visited Sevilla at that time yet I could not really appreciate the city then the way that I do now.
For starters, our Airbnb was a great choice, and it’s exciting to be here for our friend Maria and Alex’s wedding!
Sevilla is beautiful, romantic, and cultured with a rich history of traditions like Flamenco and food like Paella and Iberian Ham. There are also stories of conquest, exploration of the Americas and stunning architectural design.
As we venture out into the city I am finding there are many parallels to explore as I am releasing my new single, C’est La Vie!
Sitting on our balcony with La Giralda in my view reminds me another time and place. Have you been to space?
Life on Mars is about expressing our best self while practicing empathy, courage and love.
Family is so important and I feel blessed to be able to spend time with them on this lovely vacation!
I’m excited to release C’est La Vie next Friday, June 28th! We are playing a release show at the Prospector the night before, Thursday at 10pm. Come say “hola” as I bring the Spanish vibes home with me to share in the LBC.
Upcoming notes:
it’s amazing you can perceive emotions so subtly on a living face. a face that’s alive, however far away or near you feel to it, can be detected by the viewer and in relation makes them feel alive, however far away or near you feel to it.
//
Rose petals are divine
Ancient
Eternal
Divine
//
Flamenco
Rumba
//
When the sangria and gazpacho becomes confused, it’s a good thing…
Listen to my new music single on Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple, iTunes
Visit my website for bonus content – rileyhodges.com
Instagram – Facebook – FB Messenger
Having grown up in the bar business, Riley operates Shannon’s bars, restaurant and entertainment venue with his family.
Over the past few years as the Shannon’s businesses have grown, Riley has endeavored to focus more on creating and playing music. His latest project is Life on Mars. Check out new music single releases every month!
Life on Mars is an Americana Music Album with eclectic elements that was inspired by a journey through Iceland in 2016. The song Live One writes about this experience, asking, “What’s it like to be a stone shot into magma bursting out?” From there the album took shape as a metaphor for life on Earth, what we’ve done here, how we’ve grown, our follies… and if we went to Mars, what would we want to bring and do differently?
Maybelline is about strength, diversity, equality and empathy for others.
News out of #Alabama is troubling… my new song “Maybelline” was written with #WomensRights in mind… the idea was inspired when my mom, sister and others attended the march in Washington 2 years ago! 💪 In the opening lyric I sing, “She wanted to go real far, like Alabama won’t you take me home to Mars…” 🎶 I did not expect the example would be so poignant and coincidental during the week of this song release… Fuk those idiots who try to regulate bodies other than their own! Choose #LoveoverFear ✌️☘️
“She wanted to go real far, like Alabama won’t you take me home to Mars where I can sleep among the stars at night? She never cared for darkness. If we come apart at the seams, will we still share these old jeans? If we can’t stop fueling the fight, will we walk together tomorrow, or will we wash away? Will we wash away? Maybelline, Maybelline… maybe, maybe… never thought I’d fly without ya… Walkin’ alone again I’ve seen your face before and look at your eyes so blue, dressed to chill another Friday night. Why can’t it be just like this?” © 2019 Riley Hodges
Riley Hodges: Lyrics, Piano, Hammond B3, Guitar, Vocals
Rebecca Gurnee: Backing Vocals
Robbie Allen: Bass
Antoine Arvizu: Drums
rileyhodges.com – visit my website for bonus content
T-minus 7 days . . . New Single: Street Walker . . . Friday, 4.12.19
I am thinking of a color across the spectrum and through the eyes of a child’s inflection of viewpoint of innocence for minds shut off to the world with happiness and lollipops for all the boys and girls because our streets are paved of gold for bigger interests than the walkers who labor and beg for some business but health in consequence limits their potential whereas our assistance can make or break their survival.
The new single, Street Walker, is from my upcoming album, Life On Mars. I wrote this song after an experience I saw on the streets of Long Beach. A guy walks by and grabs a drink from a bar table that we put in place for guests, not the dirty street-walkers. But this guy grabbed and sipped a Vodka Soda and set off a chain reaction. I intervened to tone down the ensuing battle and a regular named Wild Bill was there just in time to hand the streetwalker a cigarette to keep his moving and grooving on down the line.
I’m listening to the song now with earbuds at home. I just walked over to pet my black cat, Jeep, and as the song was playing I thought it would be cool to shoot a video that has a kind of first person POV of me getting up in the morning, petting Jeep, do a little this and a little that and I’m out the door off to the streets. I guess I’d have to hit the bar for this one.
Will explore further. Until then, I’ll quote the first verse:
Coming up like a shadow in the night. Gotta get high before the dawn. The morning sun don’t care about me. Where’s my next opportunity?
Riley Hodges is a musician from Long Beach, CA.
Hi Friends, Family and seekers of truth,
Life on Mars represents our collective ability to CREATE an ideal world.
My musical virtues focus on empathy, courage and love.
The album is set for release on vinyl later this year.
Here is a sneak peak:
Thank you for reading!
For more information:
Bio
Having grown up in the bar business, Riley operates Shannon’s bars, restaurant and entertainment venue with his family.
Over the past few years as the Shannon’s businesses have grown, Riley has endeavored to focus more on creating and playing music. His latest project is Life on Mars.
Life on Mars is an alt-rock album with eclectic elements that was inspired by a journey through Iceland in 2016. The song Live One writes about this experience, asking, “What’s it like to be a stone shot into magma bursting out?” From there the album took shape as a metaphor for life on Earth, what we’ve done here, how we’ve grown, our follies… and if we went to Mars, what would we want to bring and do differently?
The album conjures a utopian dream where virtues like Empathy and Courage are held in high regard. The songs chat an earthly tone with the opening track, Street Walker, reciting the exclaims of pedestrian life through bouncy beats, clean guitar riffs and a padded saxophone, while Maybelline, a dreamer for equal rights wanting to sleep among the stars, follows a laid-back funk-rhythm that is supported by uplifting vocals and a Hammond B3.
© Riley Hodges 2019
RILEY HODGES·THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019
Riley Hodges is a musician from Long Beach, CA. Having grown up in the bar business, Riley operates Shannon’s bars, restaurant and entertainment venue with his family.
Over the past few years as the Shannon’s businesses have grown, Riley has endeavored to focus more on creating and playing music. His latest project is Life on Mars.
Life on Mars is an eclectic-rock album that was inspired by a journey through Iceland in 2016. The song Live One writes about this experience, asking, “What’s it like to be a stone shot into magma bursting out?” From there the album took shape as a metaphor for life on Earth, what we’ve done here, how we’ve grown, our follies… and if we went to Mars, what would we want to bring and do differently?
The album conjures a utopian dream where virtues like Empathy and Courage are held in high regard. The songs chat an earthly tone with the opening track, Streetwalker, reciting the exclaims of pedestrian life through bouncy beats, clean guitar riffs and a padded saxophone, while Maybelline, a dreamer for equal rights wanting to sleep among the stars, follows a laid-back funk-rhythm that is supported by uplifting vocals and a Hammond B3.
C’est La Vie reminds us that such is life while drawing the listener into a world of psychedelic and bouncy rhythms whereas Coming Home brings us back to solid ground by expressing the simplicities of passionate love with a pedal-steel, rocking solos and female backing vocals to support words like, “That old house feels just like a smile sittin’ on a summer night, and maybe we’ll smile while we’re rockin’ on a ‘lil baby porch swing.”
Next up, Live One takes aim at the god within us all, rooted in the evolving chaos of actual rocks and forms of matter underlying the processes behind life on earth: “If One is a gift to the many, God is manifest in contemplating. Between this and that are those that seek nought in the shackles breaking. Stillness in your mind, it feels just like a loving kiss. I wonder if it’s known that we can be the nothingness…” Expect 2 minutes of soaking and frantic saxophone to convey the messages further sonically as the song finales.
If the first half of the album is dreamlike, the second half shows that reality has finally set in. Let It Go stories the simple wisdoms of attachment as jangly strings quickly turn to screaming guitars, wet vocals and apoplectic lyrics, and Long Couple of Days follows a more balanced path using folk elements and a classic line, “Shoo fly outta my way.”
Finally, High Low culminates in energetic fashion with heavy drums and heavy distortion to make a statement anthemically that given a choice of high or low, “we can go high” and “when you’re ready to come we can light sparks.”
Check out the promotional release of Live One, and full album release in May 2019.
If you like my writing, please check out more where that came from.
Special thanks to Antoine Arvizu at The Compound Studio, and to Eric Stoner for use of the album artwork, APOCALYPTICUS ROMANTICUS.
Perspective In Sound 