Bellefonte native’s new EP shows evolution, ‘more upbeat and energetic’ sound

Bellefonte native Cole Rigg is back on the scene with “Characters Living in Screen,” a new EP that promises to be a departure from his previous work.

The EP, due out in the near future, is a Philly-rocking, electric guitar-laden departure from his somewhat darker earlier work, and is a sign of Rigg’s evolution as an artist, with sonic influences form modern rock bands like Band of Skulls and the Black Keys, classic rock bands like The Doors and Black Sabbath, and even music from spaghetti Western film scores.

“This EP is a real step in the direction of something I’ve always wanted ... a rock band,” Rigg wrote in an email. “I had the inspiration, people and drive to do something that was more upbeat and energetic, with that thump I’ve always loved from listening to rock ‘n’ roll.”

Rigg is joined on the project by the Ridge Runners, which includes Zach Kaeser on lead guitar, Sam Zettell on bass and Nick Thomas on drums.

“All of those guys are great musicians, and even better people,” Rigg wrote. “Zach is one of the easiest musicians I’ve ever played with. Sam brings a ‘riffy’ melodic approach as well as knowing how to hold down the low end. Nick brings a welcome burst of energy to the songs.”

Rigg’s latest single, “Too Close,” is an example of what the music on the EP sounds like. It’s a crunchy, riff-based, groovy song with Rigg on lead vocals and intermittent harmonies. The sense is, Rigg has settled in a bit, perhaps finding his voice outside of the intensity and linear tendencies of rockabilly, the genre within which he was previously situated.

“It came to fruition from a few different directions,” Rigg wrote. “First, there was a huge influence from forming a whole band. Second, I started to think about my last release, and really wanted to do something different and new, but also was closely related to it. Third, I aimed to write more impactful lyrics and tell more meaningful stories.”

Rigg’s evolution as a writer resulted in him focusing on topical issues as opposed to more personal topics on his debut EP, and the content has specific relevance to the strange times we are collectively living through.

“I’ve been thinking deeply and writing a lot about self-identity in the wild time of the social media age,” Rigg wrote, “all of those components can quite frankly make life confusing for folks, myself included.”

Part of the process of creating the EP had to do with a type of visualization Rigg had, or perhaps even a fantasy. Rigg created a myth in which the songs and the Ridge Runners already existed, but the music was created by a fan of Rigg’s who could not escape his mundane life. Rigg even imagined the character playing gigs at a dusty bar called The Ridge Inn. With all of this fantastic imagery, Rigg started filling in the words to complete the music he imagined.

“It’s all sort of imaginary, but was so inspiring,” Rigg wrote. “I looked to other artists who did similar things with their music during this time ... and it stuck with me and I couldn’t stop making music in this other place.”

The EP was recorded in Philadelphia at Miner Street Recordings in Philadelphia by in collaboration with Producer Brian McTear and Engineer Matt Poirier.

“Matt and Brian are one hell of a one-two punch,” Rigg wrote.

In the future, Rigg hopes to keep evolving and to keep growing with the band involved in this music.

“I’ve always made my music in service to the music,” Rigg wrote, “so the vision of mine is to be able to continue to make music that I like and feel good about, and importantly push the music forward and uncover something new each time ... whatever that looks and sounds like.”