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The slogan I came up with when I first started this page was, “Watch me make music”. It’s sorta accurate. It’s nearly impossible to keep a healthy lifestyle, make music, and document my music production all at the same time. I tried.

So, the original intention of this substack has changed a bit. I’m still documenting my songwriting journey, but its not going to be as regular or comprehensive as I’d planned.

If you subscribe, I will send out an email (about every 2 weeks) with some links to key posts from this exclusive fan-zone. It’s also a great way to learn about major events, as they come up (album releases, show dates, video releases, etc)

Behind the Lights is still THE backstage pass to my songwriting workshop. I hope everyone understands and can bear with me. I care deeply about making my music more accessible to everyone (family, friends, and new fans). It’s not always easy to do everything as planned - as you may know.

For those who don’t know me

First and foremost, I am a songwriter. Making songs is easy as pie. Yes, it gets complex, but it’s always fun, so it feels easy. All that being said, the real work lies in the recording of the songs. This is ultra-rewarding, but takes time. I do it all myself. From 2013-2021, I wrote songs without sharing. So I’m sitting on a mountain of tunes - not yet recorded - while still making new ones.

Albums

I have multiple albums planned. My first one is well in hand. I’m learning that I love to make a collection of songs into one idea, which means I do a lot of re-writing of songs, evolving them into more than good neighbors. Some call this concept albums. Ok, whatever you want. Personally, I like singles, but a collection of songs is a better mirror for life - with it’s ups and downs.

Keeping up with the algorithm

By subscribing here, you beat the crap out of algorithms. Just like that. You are with me, off the grid. You may notice there are no advertisements here. I will leave if this happens. So, it’s important to subscribe so I can find you if I have to move.

This publication is my answer to my reluctance to create a ton of disposable social media content and teasing up a robot to stay connected. It’s me, in my garage (of sorts) building and sharing. I hope you will enjoy. Thanks for being my friend.

Biographical Stuff

Hi, I’m Ryno, aka 라이노. That non-english bit is my name, written in Hangul (Korean). I just made you read my name twice. In 2022 I left Long Island City, NYC, after 16 years, to live in Seoul. My wife and tiny dog (Sunny) are here too. I’m just getting started (with a new home and language). Luckily, I’m not new to songwriting, so I’m doing that too.

Songin’

I’m always making songs. I’ve done this as a hobbyist since 1993. I’ve had some success. One of my songs was featured in The Walking Dead (S10xEp21) in 2021, for example.

*If you want to hear my music, please visit my website (top of page navigation), or click here. There’s also a truckload of links in the Index 목차 page of this site.

For the most part, I write songs to get rich, and stay rich. It’s that easy.

The ♫ Pretty City Lights name

A pessimist might think that ‘new music’ is a dead sport. Well, there’s still wonder in discovery. I changed the band name to Pretty City Lights for a number of obvious reasons. I’m super proud of what I made before, but I changed a lot in the 10 year gap where I didn’t share new music - so I changed the name

Amateur Blonde (old band name)

The new band name is called Pretty City Lights. I used to make music as Amateur Blonde. Most would say my songs could be classified as: Alternative Rock. I struggle with this label, but it’s pretty close. I’d add the term ‘Psychedelic’ to that genre classification, much as one would when describing David Bowie (Psychedelic Rock).

My Creation Process

My creation process is specific and full of procedure. I’m doing all things for these songs myself. Studios are expensive–drums especially. I love the sound of real drums and cymbals, played by a human. I make elaborate demos with single mic sketch-drums before going into a professional recording studio. In the studio, the goal is to capture final (huge) drum recordings, with 17 mics. Following the studio, I take the final drum sessions home and build out songs over the top of them. This takes time.

What I’m doing here.

Initially, my idea for Behind the Lights was a simple fan-club/newsletter for people who like my music. But Substack’s vloggy nature seduced me into expanding the scope of my endeavor. I’m now trying to bring it back down to earth. It’s a newsletter. Subscribe here (free) and I will email you links to these posts (from music@prettycitylights.com). Substack is really just a piece of land - a fairground - where I’m hosting this little circus. I email from outside of it, and you can reply back to me directly.

Behind the Lights is something I’ve always wanted.

It’s a place for whereby…

• I am releasing all my music first.

• I’m creating/sharing exclusive, one-of-a-kind content that dives deep into the fabric of my songs.

“Freemium” (and Types)

This is a dumb new word, but it means that I’m sharing for free. YOU CAN BECOME A PAYING SUBSCRIBER. It really helps.

Before when I said I make music to get rich, I was joking. Please know that I’m not saving up for a yellow corvette. All funds go back into the music. All sales from our store do too. *In the future, some posts might be paywalled, but for now, your kind attention is my reward.

Post Types: To learn about various types of posts I make, please visit my very 1st post, called “Listen to the Lights” here.

Live Shows

We perform my songs live here too! Want to book Pretty City Lights? go here.
Live Streaming may happen at some point.

Band Members

I collaborate with anyone who wants to. For now, I’ve been rocking with these young men:

Drummer 진수용 - Instagram here.
Bassist 방성광 - Instagram here.

BTL Target Audience:

• People who wanna watch Pretty City Lights make songs from scratch

• People who are exhausted by 'rockstars'

• People who enjoy listening to albums

• People who lift weights while listening to classical music

• Songwriters, DIY recording artisans, musicians, camera people, and home studio gear heads–or people just starting out

• Those who need real drums in their lives, played by a human

• People dying of middle age

• People who need a break from headlines and politics

• Those who agree, music is THE ultimate magic

Final Note: ‘About’ page:

Music making can get lonely.

I consider this place a chill spot where readers can relax from political talk, pop-culture drivel, and shocking news headlines–and watch me focus on the pleasure of building something unexpected and full of emotion. I’m making my adventure in music discovery–plain and vulnerable. Sharing like this gives me the feeling of leaving my cave. I hope you like what you find.

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Emails

Please note that Behind the Lights occasionally sends emails to you from our band email: music@prettycitylights.com