Tag: musician

Maybelline – New Music Single

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 ✌️☘️

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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 ✌️☘️ . . . . #lifeonmarsmusic #perspectiveinsound #OurStoryLOM #ourstory #changeisgoodforthesoul #alabamaabortionban #embracechange #guitarist #mybelief #humanrights #prochoice #prochoiceisprolife #criticalthinking #learntoloveyourself #beliefs #womensrightsarehumanrights #singersongwriters #newmusic #songwriting #whatibelieve #autonomous #autonomy #musiciansofinstagram #newmusic2019

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“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

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Perspective In Sound – Making Music with Riley Hodges

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.

Friday, October 13, 2017 at The Compound Studio, Long Beach, CA –
Photo by @hey_andrewg

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?

Life on Mars album artwork by Eric Stoner – ericstonermixedmedia.com

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.

September 2016 photo by RH – “As you drive along Víðidalur, you will come to Kolugil Farm which stands beside the Víðidalsá river. Just below the farm, the waters flow peacefully downwards to plunge into the deep, rugged gorge called Kolugljúfur. Their journey then sends them cascading over many waterfalls which bear the name Kolufossar Falls in honour of the giantess, Kola. It is a breathtaking sight to drive across the bridge and watch the calm waters of the river suddenly leap and tumble onwards over so many impressive falls – a sight which will leave no one unmoved.” – northiceland.is

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.”

September 2016 photo by RH – “Iceland is a country in the North Atlantic Ocean that is aptly known as the “Land of Fire and Ice”. It is an island born out of volcanic eruptions over millions of years. Up until 8000 years ago, the entire island was buried under ice.” – youngzine.org

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.

September 2016 photo by RH – “Kirkjufell (Icelandic: Church Mountain) is a 463 m high mountain on the north coast of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes peninsula, near the town of Grundarfjörður. It is claimed to be the most photographed mountain in the country. Kirkjufell was one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones season 6 and 7, featuring as the “arrowhead mountain” that the Hound and the company north of the Wall see when capturing a wight.” – wiki.org

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.”

September 2016 photo by RH – “ancestors of the Icelandic horse were probably taken to Iceland by Viking Age Scandinavians between 860 and 935 AD. The Norse settlers were followed by immigrants from Norse colonies in Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Western Isles of Scotland.” – wiki.org

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.”

September 2016 photo by RH: SVÖRTULOFT AT SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA – “Sailing in the Faxaflói bay and the Breiðafjörður bay in the western part of Iceland might be secure and calm, but traveling from one to the other can be quite tricky. The sailing by the tip of Snæfellsnes peninsula, past Svörtuloft is still a serious business. Throughout the centuries there have been drastic incidents and casualties. Ships have stranded, and as anyone can imagine looking at the sharp and black lava cliffs, this is not a good place to strand a ship. Most of them are quickly blown to pieces by the shore. The formation of the cliff is quite spectacular as they are dark and black lava cliffs.” – hiticeland.com

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.

Sunday, October 15, 2017 at The Compound Studio, Long Beach, CA – Photo by @hey_andrewg
Sunday, October 15, 2017 at The Compound Studio, Long Beach, CA – Photo by @hey_andrewg
Photo by Andrew @ The Compound Studio while recording album, “Life on Mars” with Riley Hodges (left), Tim Bullock on bass (center), Antoine Arvizu on drums (right)
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The Christening

I awoke in a daze as usually is the case to the sound of a whine from my little feline today. He would not relent as I hopped out of bed in a fury as I hurried to say no to his request. You cannot go outside because I’m taking a stand for waking me so early and I will not give in. What was I thinking as I surely am mad, but why not let him out so he could squat I should have said. I had it in mind that I would control his mind too, like a clockwork cat that follows my command. Boy, was I wrong, as I went back to sleep for just an hour more and I awoke to Jeep’s pee. Jeep is his name, the name of my cat, what the fuck did he do? He pissed on my brand new expensive leather couch! Ouch, ouch, ouch! Fucking shit! What the fuck happened to my plan that’s gone shit! I rushed to the store to find a proper stain-cleaner, and just as I finished my efforts I noticed more shit! This time, not just pee that I cleaned, but actual shit wrapped in a godforsaken lil blanket for me. Thank god it was all wrapped up, but I wish it were reversed. I’d rather clean bits of shit off this couch than puddles of kitty juice. Fuckkkkkkkkk.

Seriously, this all happened today. It threw off my day, kinda. I was pissed (pun intended). I canceled an appointment I had at 9AM. But it actually propelled me to get some work done earlier than I probably would have today. I spent a few hours preparing for a series of phone interviews I was conducting for hiring a Restaurant Manager for the opening of our new business, The Carvery.

I will be visiting my cousin tomorrow to go over my recently recorded music. I need to make some final decisions on the song mixes. This includes most likely wanting to record new vox for 1 or 2 tracks. My cousin is a full time musician and also has a business that he can help me with releasing my songs. In fact, he suggested I do this alongside the release of his new album. How cool!

Tomorrow night is Friday and I have tentative plans to rehearse with friends. Just like last weekend. If you haven’t read my previous post about this, the last rehearsal went okay. I will be looking to go into this next one with a few adjustments. Namely, I will bring my own amp, microphone, and cables. I will also recommend starting with a couple of cover songs.

The location of the rehearsal is at my friend John’s studio on 2nd Street. It’s not a recording studio, but a music school for teaching lessons. Although, I think John has always wanted to do recordings there, particularly for students, as part of a business plan. In fact, last weekend he had an engineer and new equipment for recording our rehearsal. But it was not ready in time. Maybe tomorrow he’ll have that ready to go.

I spoke to Antoine at The Compound regarding some final adjustments on the tracks I recorded with him. As mentioned above, I most likely will record some new vocals. But I want to make sure I have the vocal parts down and ready to go. This means I need to be in my right frame of mind as I prepare for this. I think the best thing I can do is just play every day. Unfortunately, because of how this day started, I did not make time to do that.

I am also in the process of reorganizing my house with new furniture so I spent most of the day on my newly christened couch that I would have otherwise avoided if it weren’t brand new and awesome for the comfort of my piano bench. Also, my guitars have been moved around and are either packed in cases or are in the next room.

In other news, I thought of a new harmony idea for the song Coming Home. The idea is a background choral harmony. Kinda psychedelic pseudo-gospel paving the way for some soulful vocal runs during the chorus and outdo. Did I mention this in a previous entry? I don’t think so. Anyway, Antoine recommended I test it out with a strings patch on keys, meaning I should play the notes as on a keyboard so it sounds like a orchestral strings, assuming like a cello. So yeah, I will do that. That sounds fun.

Also, I read an article on best times to release an album. I saved it for when I have time to read it thoroughly. Hm. Basically it said not in March (because SXSW) and not in October (because CMA). But this brings me to my next thought, which is that I have been considering recording more songs. I would love to do 10 or 12 songs so that I can release a full length album. But at the moment it’s not looking like that’s the best thing to do. The additional songs will take some time to develop, and I will want to nail them the next time I do a vocal session. I also don’t have a budget for more song material at the moment. So my release at this point is looking like it’s going to be an E.p. Although, as the article suggested, it is best to start promoting 3 months in advance of a release. So it’s possible I could add material during that time. I would like to set a release date in the next couple of weeks. It also said the best day to do release, somewhat officially, is on a Friday!

I could aim for February release, with the consideration that I’ve been promoting for the past month, or in May as that seems like a good time of year just before summertime. It’s also the month of my birthday! Happy birthday to me.

If you’ve read this far, thank you for reading. I’m glad we have survived the inferno that is wrecking Southern California these past few days. Wildfires have made our beautiful region look like hell on earth. I am thankful for what I have. But part of me is like, damn I kinda wanna go make some art. Maybe film the blaze. Another part of me is like, yeah, the world is suffering all the time. We should pay attention more.

I never know how to end these things… Goodbye is probably the best way.

Goodbye.

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Sleeping On Sidewalks

I was walking down the street tonight to grab a bite to eat. I noticed a man in a sleeping bag just as he noticed me. I wondered if he chose that site among the passersby because it brought him comfort in sleep. Why not find a quiet place away from all the sounds we make along this busy street? Perhaps this was the choice he made for lonely days have set himself too deep. We may be different in this homelessness yet all the same in life. For when we have a home to keep we vacation in countryside. But when we turn ourselves astray a man will sleep on lively streets that fill his heart with sound. He does this so – I think I know – his soul can find a home.

What is becoming more and more apparent is that I am motivated by these tiny tales of inspiration – using my Echo while others fight for life or a homeless man in sleeping bag on a cold night. I use them to get started writing. I will say, too, that my thoughts are genuine. I actually did wonder these things as I walked along the streets tonight.

What’s funny is about 10 seconds later, after passing the man in the sleeping bag, a voice called out faintly, “Riley… Riley… Riley.” Yes, three times. I scanned to my left and to my right, and left again as I centered on a figure directly across the street. I was standing in front of my favorite sandwich shop, moments away from entering! I was so hungry. As the dark figure approached I recognized that it was a friend from high school. A friend I actually was not friends with in high school. We aren’t really friends now either, except that we are friendly when we see each other. You know the kind. So we talked for a short while. He asked about my music. I thought that was cool. I should have said, yes! But have you read my blog?”

Okay, enough of that for now. Let’s talk about my weekend of music. I rehearsed on Friday night with friends. It was fine. I think that coming from recording sessions, where my sound has been dialed in, it felt difficult to coordinate a first rehearsal like this. I also have not been playing with a full band very much lately so that added to what I felt were challenges. But all in all, it was fun to hang with friends and play music. We did some covers too. Playing songs you already know is a good way to get started. I realize now we should have done that so we could get our dynamics going. Like I said, it was fine. I am just happy that people are interested to play these songs!

On Saturday I walked from my house to meet Tim and John for a late lunch at Nick’s on 2nd. We walked from there to John’s studio and played music for a lil while. Same place as the night before. It was fun! We just fiddled around a bit, and I shared a couple of new song ideas. We regrouped later that night during the 2nd Street Christmas Parade to play some more.

I got to play on Sunday too! My cousin had a surprise party for his wife at our venue, At The Top. I only played at the end of the party. My uncle let me use his black and white telecaster. It was nice to mess around and play my tunes in front of family. My cousin is a full time musician and my uncle has been playing in the same band since high school. Him and I played a few covers and originals and it was cool to have him take interest and give me positive feedback. I want to keep this rhythm going. Maybe I should play a local gig? Hmmm. Yes, I should. But right now all I can think about is how thirsty and tired I am.

I have a lot of work to do this week (non-music). Also, my cat keeps waking me up super early so I need to get to bed at a reasonable hour. I want to take advantage of my very real and relentlessly loud pussycat alarm clock. It’s a burden and a blessing.

P.s. How do I keep this blog from sounding like a journal? Does that matter? How much entertaining shit do I need to throw into this so that people want to read? Do people want to read my trials, tribulations, and triumphs? Who fucking cares? Someone must…

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Friday Rehearsal

As I was having lunch today in the quiet of my home, I thought to ask my Echo, “Play 89.9 FM.” Whether question or command, my Echo always does what I say. So I wondered how lucky I am, to casually command, while others fight for their lives half a world away. What does this mean for me?

I think the best thing is to remind ourselves how fortunate we are. Relatively speaking, we are all fortunate to be alive, to be breathing. Actually, many may not agree with that. But this is my blog, and perhaps we’ll touch more on that topic later (being and non-being). So as I was saying, because of the challenges that life can present to each of us, I should be wary in saying that I am as fortunate as the next person. Of course I am not! But what I find interesting is that I think having gratitude can bring joy despite one’s circumstances. In other words, finding positivity in life just feels good. Of course, we all know this! At least we should…

Taking it a step further, I am making moves toward living a life of minimalism. We’ll see how that goes! What I’m really after is a form of decluttering that I hope will bring more appreciation for the things I cherish and use most often. In other words, I’m going to get rid of the shit that gets in the way of shit I like more! Hmm… I will be keeping my Echo.

With that said… I’ll be rehearsing with friends tonight!!! The goal is to rehearse the songs I have recorded and also to develop more tracks that will complete my upcoming album. I’ve been meeting with my friend, Tim Bullock, on Fridays for the past couple of weeks. He plays bass on the newly recorded songs. It’s been really fun! We’ve been meeting at my place, but tonight we’ll meet at my friend John Capito’s studio. Our friend, Dallas, will join us on drums.

Rebecca Gurnee will join us as well. She’s been working on songs of her own and playing gigs recently, so we’ll probably mix up the content. But! I want to try out an idea for a vocal duet with her on my song, Maybelline. We’ve already recorded this track with her singing backing vocals during the chorus, but I think taking it a step further will be worth it in the end. She has such a nice voice!

Also, as I was winding down to sleep last night, an idea struck me for another song that I recorded, Coming Home. First off, I’m not totally satisfied with how I sang vocals on that song. When I recorded them, I wasn’t feeling my best. So part of the pondering here comes with the territory. But also, I’ve always thought the song lacked something. It has kind of a rootsy-rock vibe with pedal steel. The idea that I have is to add choral Oooh’s and Ahhh’s, blended with Gospel choir gusto and Rock psychedelia that brings to mind elements similar to The Beatles’ Because.

Yes, that sounds easier said than done. But what I am hearing in my head feels attainable.

If you’re reading this, thank you for reading. Please feel free to comment and interact with me. I like interacting!

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Thinking Deeply

I woke up today thinking deeply. Sucking in air as if I was coming back from the dead, I stumbled out of bed thinking, “Oh my… I am still sleepy.” My feet touched the ground with a soft thud on my old tongue-and-groove flooring, and all that I could muster was a hobble as I made my way to the kitchen.

Coffee. As I primed my reusable K-cup with 2 spoonful’s of Peet’s Major Dickson’s Deep Roast, I thought, “Why would anyone want to destroy their Keurig?” The simple answer is that they’re fucking stupid. The less than simple answer is they’re fucking stupid. Also, what is less than simple? If something is more than simple, I assume that is probably really fucking easy to figure out.

Back it up for a moment because I forgot to mention The Jeep. My cat, Jeep, likes to wake me up between 5AM and 7AM so he can go outside. He is very vocal and has a way with words in the early morning. When we talk it’s as if I’m talking to myself if I were totally drunk and standoffish, like how you might act if you wanted to order food at the nearest Jack in the Box. It’s the only place open late at night that will accept you in this drunken state of mind with your words crisscrossing into phrases that only a fast food clerk can understand. If this were Blackjack, you’d have equal buying power and assured losses. However, this being Jack in the Black, gimme a Jack’s Spicy Chicken with Curly Fries and Chocolate Shake please, you’re in for assured palatial serenity. This is what dreams are made of.

By now you may have discovered that this blog has lots of direction. The question is where shall we go? I have a path in mind.

I have recently been writing and recording music… There are 5 new songs and 1 previously recorded song that has been remixed. This blog, at least for a while, will be about my experiences during this process. My goal is to release this new music so that it has a positive impact on listeners.

So as I write, and learn, and search for discovery within myself, I hope to share with you the interesting parts of my experience in making music.

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