A Journey Through Sound
I have been singing funny tunes and tapping on the table since I was a young boy. Although I was homeschooled, I found my way to playing drums through a local school band, then discovered my voice singing in high school choir. For five years, I played drums and guitar in church band—weekly live performance that taught me how to listen, lock in, and serve the song.
But the real excitement happened outside. I co-founded "Everything for Everyone," a regular jam session in the park (amongst other titles) that drew musicians from all across the Bay. No setlists, no auditions, just people showing up with instruments and seeing what happened. That spirit of open collaboration became the foundation for everything that followed.
Songwriter & Band Builder
Sometimes I'm a songwriter but not always! Even in my youth I wrote songs with friends and formed bands to play them. The Bitter Romantics Society for the folk rock ballads. Broth Band for pop, brass and personality. And of course all my own solo stuff. I also write songs designed for video games! In my heart, I prefer to let the music lead the way, and see where it takes me. My best material, in my opinion is spontaneous!
North Indian Classical Music
For roughly six years, I studied North Indian classical music under Tim White, a student of the legendary Ali Akbar Khan. The rigor and mystique of the raga system, the meditative focus required, the way time stretches and bends with ease, this majestic musical heritage rewired how I approach all instruments.
Studio & Production
I studied audio production under former Fantasy Studios engineers at Diablo Valley College. The skills I learned there were invaluable to me and I put them to great use throughout the years, whether for producing for friends, family or myself. After I met my business partner Tom, while working at Academy of Art University in SF, we founded SF Audio Guild to produce sound design for games and media. I also engineered sessions at Studio Carquinez with my friend Brian, working with vintage tape machines and analog outboard gear, and built audio software like TapeSim.
These Days...
These days I play drums for the experimental jazz trio Majik Tea. Although I have sat in with pop punk bands (Daily City Symphony), Motown cover groups (GT Groove), psychedelic rock projects, and folk ensembles across the Bay, I would rather keep it close to the heart. I perform a gig every now and again, usually with my brother Jaidon Ranieri.