Erik Ritland isn't so Bad

"The songs seem to have multiple layers, but are uncomplicated to the ears. They glide smoothly, despite the fact that they take the listener over some bumpy terrain. The songs are catchy, but smart. They make you tap your toe and bob your head, but you feel smarter and informed when the song is over, the lyrics resonating as does the beat. A wonderful work of art."- Mike Coenen, author of The Apocalypse of Marlon Brando, on the new Erik Ritland album A Scientific Search

A Scientific Search, Erik Ritland's NEW ALBUM, was on Sunday, August 16th. It was scheduled to only be available digitally THAT DAY ONLY, but we've added an additional week due to the high demand.

In the latest episode of Erik Ritland isn't so Bad, a podcast for creative types, songwriter and Music in Minnesota editor Erik Ritland discusses and performs two tracks from A Scientific Search, "First Things Last" and "The Past is Never Dead."

Erik Ritland is a songwriter, editor, and journalist. He's released over 12 albums and EPs. Currently, he is editor and writer for popular culture website Music in Minnesota and a journalist for new music app Hear.By. He also founded music, sports, and culture website Rambling On in 2012.

"The songs seem to have multiple layers, but are uncomplicated to the ears. They glide smoothly, despite the fact that they take the listener over some bumpy terrain. The songs are catchy, but smart. They make you tap your toe and bob your head, but you feel smarter and informed when the song is over, the lyrics resonating as does the beat. A wonderful work of art."
- Mike Coenen, author of The Apocalypse of Marlon Brando, on the new Erik Ritland album A Scientific Search

A Scientific Search, Erik Ritland's NEW ALBUM, will be released on Sunday, August 16th. It'll be available digitally THAT DAY ONLY, in addition to a special Collectors Edition CD (which features an additional CD of material). Pre-order this very special album here before it's too late.

In the latest episode of Erik Ritland isn't so Bad, a podcast for creative types, songwriter and Music in Minnesota editor Erik Ritland discusses and performs three tracks from A Scientific Search, "Jerusalem," "To the Pure Life," and "Driving Wind." He ends with a performance of his songwriting mentor Erik Brandt's "Who Am I Making the Bed For."

Erik Ritland is a songwriter, editor, and journalist. He's released over 12 albums and EPs. Currently, he is editor and writer for popular culture website Music in Minnesota and a journalist for new music app Hear.By. He also founded music, sports, and culture website Rambling On in 2012.

"The ironic thing is that your song proves rock and roll actually isn’t dead. Only rock and roll would eulogize it’s own death, and do it with such tongue-in-cheek indifference. Well done." 
- Author Mike Coenen on Erik Ritland's new single, "Rock n' Roll is Dead"

It's been said many times before, but at some point it has to be true: is rock n' roll dead?

We're living in a completely unique time in history, and its effect on music and musicians in unprecedented. Any musician with any amount of talent can record and release their music digitally for free or cheap. Record labels are superfluous, radio is dead or dying, and there's so much out there that nothing really picks up steam. It's harder and harder to stand out from the pack.

"Rock n' Roll is Dead" is local songwriter and Music in Minnesota editor Erik Ritland's exploration of this topic. It's the lead single from his new album, A Scientific Search, due out August 16.

In the latest episode of Erik Ritland isn't so Bad, a podcast for creative types, he discusses the song and the quarantine-influenced album that it comes from. After playing the track in its entirety, he features another song from the new record, "Goodbye to Old Times," and the lead single from his 2019 album For An Empty Theater, "Long Gone Days."

If you're a creative type who loves music, songwriting, literature, history, philosophy, and ideas big and small, Erik Ritland isn't so Bad is for you.

Erik Ritland is a songwriter, editor, and journalist. He's released over 12 albums and EPs. Currently, he is editor and writer for popular culture website Music in Minnesota and a journalist for new music app Hear.By. He also founded music, sports, and culture website Rambling On in 2012.

Erik Ritland is a songwriter, editor, and journalist. He's released over 12 albums and EPs. Currently, he is editor and writer for popular culture website Music in Minnesota and a journalist for new music app Hear.By. He also founded music, sports, and culture website Rambling On in 2012.

On each ERisB podcast, Erik answers some questions from the mail bag, talks about his songwriting process and features one of his songs, and gives a short final thought about any ol' topic.

On this episode:

- Big news! Erik is coming out with a special new album that will only be available digitally for 24 hours on August 16. An extremely limited run of CD copies, handmade by Erik himself, will also be available. More information to follow.
- Erik is also re-issuing his 2008 alternative rock album Floating Bridge in September. Lead double A-sided single "Promises"/"Help Me Tonight" came out last Friday. Buy it now for the low, low price of $2.
- Mailbag question #1: bands that have no bad songs?
- Mailbag question #2: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Godfather
- Mailbag question #3: the greatest presidents
- Mailbag question #4: the best songs to play on electronic juke boxes at bars
- Erik Ritland songwriting feature: "Help Me Tonight." Erik gives a deep dive into the Floating Bridge track that was recently released as a single.
- "Help Me Tonight" in its entirety
- Creativity Tip #4: be influenced, but don't copy

Thanks for listening!

Erik Ritland isn't so Bad is sponsored by the Midwest Metropolitan Music Association (MMMA), your #1 source for creative Midwestern music and beyond. It's impossible to sift through all the chaff on websites like ReverbNation, SoundCloud, and BandCamp to find the best music around. So luckily for you, Midwest Metropolitan Music Association has done the heavy lifting, serving you the best independent rock, Americana, country, folk, blues, and more.

Erik Ritland's 2008 album Floating Bridge will be re-issued September 2020! The first single, "Promises," will be released 7/24/20. Visit erikritland.com for more info.

If you're a creative type who loves music, songwriting, literature, history, philosophy, and ideas big and small, this podcast is for you.

Erik Ritland is a songwriter, editor, and journalist. He's released over 12 albums and EPs. Currently, he is editor and writer for popular culture website Music in Minnesota and a journalist for new music app Hear.By. He also founded music, sports, and culture website Rambling On in 2012.

On each ERisB podcast, Erik answers some questions from the mail bag, talks about his songwriting process and features one of his songs, and gives a short final thought about any ol' topic.

On this episode:

- Mailbag question #1: is it worth having arguments online?
- Mailbag question #2: best and worst Beatles albums
- Mailbag question #3: as a kid, what did I want to be when I grew up?
- Mailbag question #4: favorite poets
- Erik's first major rock n' roll success: "Promises" from the 2008 album Floating Bridge
- The studio version of "Promises" in its entirety
- Final thought: just do it

Thanks for listening!

Erik Ritland isn't so Bad is sponsored by the Midwest Metropolitan Music Association (MMMA), your #1 source for creative Midwestern music and beyond. It's impossible to sift through all the chaff on websites like ReverbNation, SoundCloud, and BandCamp to find the best music around. So luckily for you, Midwest Metropolitan Music Association has done the heavy lifting, serving you the best independent rock, Americana, country, folk, blues, and more.

Erik Ritland is a songwriter, editor, and journalist. He's released over 12 albums and EPs. Currently, he is editor and writer for popular culture website Music in Minnesota and a journalist for new music app Hear.By. He also founded music, sports, and culture website Rambling On in 2012.

On each ERisB podcast, Erik answers some questions from the mail bag, talks about his songwriting process and features one of his songs, and gives a short final thought about any ol' topic.

On this episode:

- The important Value Our Venues fundraiser helping Twin Cities music venues at Music in Minnesota
- Two special announcements! This Friday, Erik begins a weekly article series on Music in Minnesota. The topic for the first: a songwriting legend's late-era masterpieces, including two special playlists of material.
- Second announcement: Erik is re-issuing his 2008 album Floating Bridge in September! The album, which features his popular alternative rock band from the '00s, will feature newly recorded versions of songs and extensive liner notes. Expect singles and songs from the album to be featured on the ERisB podcast in the near future!
- Mailbag question #1: how to love country music
- Question #2: great foods from tuna to meatloaf
- Question #3: unforgettable Minnesota sports moments
- Question #4: the Mount Rushmore of 70s guitarists
- Erik explains a turning point in his songwriting, "Stay Inside." Its main theme: appreciate being alive, because the future's uncertain and the end is always near.
- Full version of "Stay Inside" from the Firelight EP.
- Songwriting insight #2: listen seriously to those who do it best

Thanks for listening!

Erik Ritland isn't so Bad is sponsored by the Midwest Metropolitan Music Association (MMMA), your #1 source for creative Midwestern music and beyond. It's impossible to sift through all the chaff on websites like ReverbNation, SoundCloud, and BandCamp to find the best music around. So luckily for you, Midwest Metropolitan Music Association has done the heavy lifting, serving you the best independent rock, Americana, country, folk, blues, and more.

Resources: - Erik Ritland's songwriting - A previous article Erik wrote about Bob Dylan

Erik Ritland is a songwriter, editor, and journalist. He's released over 12 albums and EPs. Currently, he is editor and writer for popular culture website Music in Minnesota and a journalist for new music app Hear.By. He also founded music, sports, and culture website Rambling On in 2012.

On each ERisB podcast, Erik answers some questions from the mail bag, talks about his songwriting process and features one of his songs, and gives a short final thought about any ol' topic.

On this episode:

- What is Erik Ritland isn't so Bad?
- Mailbag question #1: Rock n' roll hall of fame: why?
- Mailbag question #2: There's something about the morning
- Mailbag question #3: Genius authors you need to know
- Mailbag question #4: Sports, sports, sports, is your whole life just sports?
- Commentary on "Long Gone Days" from the 2019 album For An Empty Theater. Possibly his most accessible song, hear Erik discuss how he wrote it, what went into its recording, and the importance of nostalgia.
- "Long Gone Days" in its entirety
- Final thought: The hidden secret of creativity

Thanks for listening!

Erik Ritland isn't so Bad is sponsored by the Midwest Metropolitan Music Association (MMMA), your #1 source for creative Midwestern music and beyond. It's impossible to sift through all the chaff on websites like ReverbNation, SoundCloud, and BandCamp to find the best music around. So luckily for you, Midwest Metropolitan Music Association has done the heavy lifting, serving you the best independent rock, Americana, country, folk, blues, and more.

Resources: - Erik Ritland's songwriting - More on G.K. Chesterton - More on Ernest Hemingway - More on Willa Cather - More on Jorge Louis Borges - More on William Faulkner - Rambling On, Erik's sports writing and more (NFL, NBA, MLB, Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild) 

Erik Ritland is a songwriter, journalist, and writer from the Midwest. He's released 12 albums and EPs, around a hundred podcasts, and over 1,000 articles. Currently, he's editor and writer for popular culture website Music in Minnesota and an author at new music startup Hear.by. He began his popular website and podcast Rambling On in 2012, and was also Head Staff Writer for culture blogs Curious North and Hometown Hustle. 

Erik Ritland isn't so Bad is sponsored by the Midwest Metropolitan Music Association (MMMA), your #1 source for creative Midwestern music and beyond. It's impossible to sift through all the chaff on websites like ReverbNation, SoundCloud, and BandCamp to find the best music around. So luckily for you, Midwest Metropolitan Music Association has done the heavy lifting, serving you the best independent rock, Americana, country, folk, blues, and more.