It’s been over 5 years since I sent out a newsletter and many things have happened in my life.
My stepmom, Nancy, passed away from cancer in 2022. It’s never easy losing a parent. Nancy was an extraordinary person who understood real common sense, and she taught me so much about how to be honest, fair, and kind. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without such a great role model. I am lucky to still have my Dad, whom I’ve always been very close to.
I couldn’t make it for the family picture so my parents let me photoshop myself into the Christmas card.
I’ve been making great strides with my understanding of mixing and mastering music, spending countless hours working on a song, then tearing it down and building it up again. With the technology we have available now, it can be challenging to sift through all the noise and focus on an objective.
I released an EP in 2022 called Strange Emotion, where I used an early version of AI to master the mixes. I was in a rush to release new music so I put it out without really being sure about the sound. I understand now that this particular AI mastering software made my mixes sound quiet and dull. I’ve been working on a new album for the past few years, but I’m currently taking a break from that to remix and remaster Strange Emotion, which is finally sounding closer to the way I imagined it. I’m hoping to re-release the EP before the end of the year.
I’m finally getting paid for my YouTube videos, which took many years to achieve. My channel is mainly focused on music gear reviews and tutorials but it also includes my albums and music videos. I’ve always had a keen interest in video production and filmmaking, and YouTube is my outlet for that. I’ve tried a couple of times to make a “gaming channel” which didn’t work out, but I think I’ve found my niche now. I am helping people make better use of their music gear, having fun, and showcasing my quirky personality and sense of humour. From what people tell me, I am the most funny when I’m not trying to be funny. It’s a delicate balance.
This is a Blog post from my website, so you are able to “like” and comment, which is pretty cool. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you for being a part of my life!
Roman Riccio 
Excellent!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLike
Congratulations my brother. Keep up the good work. I’d love to hear it someday and see it as well. I’m sure it’s changed quite a bit since I was there last. I’m sorry you lost a parent. That’s a very difficult thing to go through in life. I have lost quite a few loved ones and it hurts. Give me a call should you ever need me for something. I’ve been adding guitar tracks to other people’s tracks with much success over the last number of years. Maybe we’ll work together sometime? Until then, May God bless you and keep you happy and healthy
Danny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Danny. It’s great to hear from you!
LikeLike
Good morning Roman,
I am just sifting through some emails here, trying to clean a few things up, and realized I hadn’t opened this one. First off, let me say that I am so sorry to hear that you lost your stepmom to cancer, it’s never easy losing a loved one. I’m not sure if you would remember my son Mike who worked at Universal in the mailroom for a short time. I lost Mike this past November at 46, also to cancer. It’s not supposed to happen this way – you are not meant to outlive your children.
As you can appreciate, I am still in a bit of a fog but slowly sifting through things that have fallen by the wayside, hence the delay in checking this message. I will have a listen to some of your work when I can sit down and give it some attention.
I’m glad to hear you are still working on your music and…..finally getting some compensation for your videos. It’s so clear to see how passionate you are about the things you love.
Stay well and keep showcasing that quirky personality and sense of humour, it’s what makes you who you are. Stay true to yourself and enjoy the things that you are passionate about and what drive you. Life is far too short to waste precious time on the small stuff.
Best regards,
Pam
LikeLike
Hi Pam,
Thanks for reaching out, it’s great to hear from you. I remember seeing posts from Mike when he was sick and it was heartbreaking to watch. He was indeed way too young to pass away, and cancer is a frustrating thing. It makes you feel helpless and all you can really do is try to be there to comfort your loved one. I appreciate what you are going through and I hope that you can heal in time. And thank you for your kind words of encouragement. 🙂
With Love,
Roman
LikeLike