Pittsburgh indie folk artist Reliable Child just dropped a barn-stormin', soul-stealin' and revival stompin' anthem for folks with a quiet disdain for Election Day.
Reliable Child recently spoke with WYEP's Joey Spehar.
What’s your musical history up to this point?
I've always loved recording my own songs, beginning in my adolescent years when I used my parent's HP Desktop computer to multi-track ideas. On my 15 year musical journey, I've met key people that have encouraged me to express my ideas in ways now, I never thought imaginable. One footnote conversation that stands out, was with my dorm-mate at Lafayette College who was studying music at the time. They saw me play an open stage at the student union and said, "Whatever your doing keep doing it. Also, ignore music theory if you can!"
How do you describe your sound?
In recording "Election Day Doomscroll", with my collaborator Rob Chiarappa (DIMM Studios) I described a personal fork in the road, in terms of defining my "sound." One path treads lightly in a modern indie-folk direction, with some creative production choices made in studio. The other, is simply tracking the song live with a few keen edits here and there. In exploring Reliable Child catalog, listeners will find a little bit of both approaches!
Tell us more about the song "Election Day Doomscroll." What inspired you to write it and what does it mean to you?
I call this track a: barn-stormin', soul-stealin' and revival stompin' anthem for folks with a quiet disdain for Election Day. I felt it fitting to express my anxiety tied to the general uncertainty of social media age politics, through song.
I had no real choice than to write a song about the challenges we face as country here in the United States, in terms of the polarizing dynamics along political party lines. It's a real shame I can't have meaningful conversations with my own family because of this, in 2025.
What was the first album that really changed your life?
There's been more than a few, but the first one that really changed my life an easy choice for me: "Enema of the State" by blink-182. Cue the boo's and applause!
Who are some other Pittsburgh artists you think more people should listen to?
Lately, the most inspiring music for me has been in the bars, record shops and small venues throughout Pittsburgh, Pa. I have a few favorites and you can find great performances any night of the week at: The Government Center (North Side), Poetry Lounge (Millvale) and Lincoln Avenue Brewery (Bellevue)
Any other super interesting things about you we should know?
Reliable Child's recent modern indie-folk album "Some Blue Imagination" released on Oct. 20th, 2023 has received applause both near and far, most notably from: GemsOnVHS (Nashville, TN), Indie Folk Central (Netherlands), Alexrainbird (United Kingdom) and The Bluegrass Situation (NPR Folk Alley).
"Election Day Doomscroll" credits:
Recorded by Rob Chiarappa at DIMM Studios (Freehold, NJ)
Mixed/Engineered by Rob Chiarappa
Mastered by Garrett Haines at Treelady Studios (Pittsburgh, Pa)
Acoustic guitar, vocals and harmonica - Mike Berginc
Bass guitar, electric guitar - Rob Chiarappa
Drums - Mike Chiarappa
