Hiya Scott, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
Thanks for joining us today… Tell us bit about where you are from and how you got into music?
I’m from Rhode Island—born in Central Falls and now living in East Providence. I’ve always enjoyed mucking about with technology and instruments, and honestly, this is the greatest time to be writing music. It’s more accessible and affordable to produce and own equipment than at any other point in history.
My background is a bit of a hybrid; I was a graphic artist for years and I’m currently a systems engineer. I feel like the music I write is a collision of those two careers—art and technology. Because of that, I see Blacklight Beat Patrol more as “art” than just “music,” which makes total sense when you look at my professional path.
What’s the live music scene like in East Providence/Providence right now?
Admittedly, I’m not playing out like I used to, so I don’t know every single in-and-out of the current scene, but we have always had a very strong, DIY-focused community. There has always been an underground vibe here that remains pretty dominant.
At the same time, we’re known for legendary Folk and Jazz festivals. That’s the beauty of living in such a small state—we have it all, from dance to death metal to punk. It’s always been a very diverse scene.
Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
Check out Thee Phibbs. They have a great folk-punk sound and they’re just a lot of fun to listen to.
Do you think its easy to become a victim of our surrounds sometimes?
I think it’s easy to be a victim to a lot of things if we aren’t cognizant of our own patterns and the people we choose to surround ourselves with. There are obviously things out of our control, but I believe we don’t have to be victims; a lot of the time, we allow ourselves to be by not staying aware of those influences.
What are your ambitions for the band?
I’d like to expand the fanbase, obviously, but I’d also love for the music to be an inspiration to someone who eventually goes on to do some really great stuff. That would be my greatest ambition—to inspire other musicians. Not for the sake of ego, but just to know I contributed to something that helps music grow as an art form.
Whats your favourite social media platform to use and why?
Honestly, I’m not great with social media. I enjoy talking to people, but the current model feels forced and “always on.” If I’m being honest, I don’t really like any of them, but if I had to pick, I’d lean toward something more decentralized like Bluesky or Mastodon.
We believe its essential to have a presence on Facebook, Instagram and X to introduce yourself to all the different types of audiences out there, what’s your thoughts on that?
For me personally, that’s just not who I choose to be. I try to do what I can when I can, but maintaining balance in my life is a necessity. My personality type just won’t ever really allow me to be constantly pumping out social content. Between writing music, working, and managing life’s responsibilities, it’s a heavy lift that feels like a guaranteed recipe for burnout. I’d rather focus on the work itself than the performance of promoting it.
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
It’s great to see so many home producers making a large impact and “bedroom producers” finally getting their due. However, streaming services need to do a much better job with fair wages. The current pay scale is pretty dismal, especially for indie artists. It needs to be sustainable.
Whats your thoughts on AI generated music?
I have mixed feelings. As a tech lover, I’m amazed by it. But the companies creating these tools need to respect the artists they are learning from by allowing them to opt out or paying them for the use of their content.
On the other hand, it can be a tool for people who might not have the budget to access certain sounds. I’m also concerned about the environmental impact and the massive infrastructure required to support it.
Whats the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
The biggest realization is that I will probably never learn all the tricks of the trade. I’ll always be a student of the craft, and that’s what keeps it interesting.
What’s currently in your ears and on rotation at the moment?
I’ve been listening to Nine Inch Noize, which is a Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize collaboration. I’ve also got the last Deftones release and the new Sevendust single on repeat, along with some Björk and The Prophet back in rotation.
What was your worst experience on stage? Any funny stories to share?
I haven’t had any truly “bad” experiences, but definitely some awkwardly funny ones. I was playing bass in a previous band and a woman came in from a venue across the street, clearly under the influence. She was pretty aggressive and started shouting at my bandmates, “Shut up! I want to hear the bass!” It was a weirdly flattering compliment, but also incredibly awkward when the room went so quiet you could hear a pin drop while my bandmates just stared at me.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
The new single is called “Dumpster Fire” from the upcoming album, It Gets “Better”. I was struggling to put things together between some health issues and the toxic state of affairs in the U.S. lately. It was wearing me down and I fell into a bit of a depression. The title reflects that feeling—it’s like everything around me is a big flaming dumpster fire and everyone is just standing there watching it happen.
What was the recording process like?
Like my other work, the process is very fluid. I carve out time in my home studio and just start. Sometimes it starts with a melody or a specific tone I like, and a song takes shape from there. Other times, I’ll go digging through my “idea library” and rework old fragments until something clicks.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
The album is still in the works, but for the single, I wouldn’t change a thing. You have to eventually reach a place of “good enough,” let it go, and move on to the next project or you’ll never release anything.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Remember. It Gets “Better”
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