Podcast Title: Riff and Rebellion

Host: Mike “The Bard” Tanner

[INTRO MUSIC FADES]

Mike Tanner: “Welcome back, headbangers and riff-seekers, to another episode of Riff and Rebellion, your go-to podcast for all things underground, heavy, and supernatural. Today, we’ve got a real treat for you all. Joining us are the founders of the enigmatic and electrifying band Ghost Riff Riders, Ryder Mason and Vera Carter. They’ve been shaking up the scene with their unique blend of metal, magic, and a whole lot of mystery. Ryder, Vera, thanks for being here!”

Ryder Mason: “Hey, Mike, thanks for having us.”

Vera Carter: “Yeah, it’s great to be here!”

Mike Tanner: “So, let’s start from the beginning. How did you two meet and decide to form Ghost Riff Riders?”

Ryder Mason: “Well, it’s a bit of a wild story. Vera and I actually met at this underground metal show in Austin in like 2019 and hit it off and started messing around. Musically I mean. We were both there to see different bands but ended up talking about how music and the supernatural could be more intertwined. It was one of those deep, late-night conversations that just spiraled into something more.”

Vera Carter: “Yeah, Ryder was already messing around with some pretty out-there ideas, and I had my own experiences with, let’s say, the darker side of life. We both felt like the world was missing something—music that not only sounded powerful but had the energy to actually do something, you know? So, Ghost Riff Riders was born from that mix of ideas.”

Mike Tanner: “What inspired you to blend music and magic in your performances?”

Ryder Mason: “For us, music is magic. There’s this primal energy in music that’s been around forever. Think about how certain songs can change your mood, make you feel invincible, or bring you to tears. We wanted to take that a step further—use music as a real tool to fight back against the dark forces in the world.”

Vera Carter: “Exactly. Our music isn’t just about entertaining people; it’s about channeling something deeper. When we play, we’re not just performing—we’re tapping into that energy, shaping it, and sending it out into the world with purpose. It’s intense, but that’s what makes it real.”

Mike Tanner: “Speaking of intense, can you share some of the most memorable experiences you’ve had while touring and fighting evil?”

Ryder Mason: “Oh man, there’ve been so many. One that stands out was when we played a gig in a small town called Mirage, Texas. We didn’t realize at first, but the town was… let’s just say, it wasn’t on any map for a reason. We ended up facing some pretty gnarly spirits that night, but the music we played, it was like a shield—something that pushed back the darkness. Then we got out of there as quick as possible.”

Vera Carter: “Yeah, that was a crazy night. But it’s not just about the big, flashy moments. Sometimes it’s the quiet, eerie places that really stick with you. Like, when you’re alone in a dark room after a show, and you can still feel the echoes of something that was there, but isn’t anymore.”

Mike Tanner: “Sounds intense. How do you find and select individuals to join your cause and learn your musical or magical techniques?”

Ryder Mason: “We don’t take just anyone. The people we bring in are those who’ve faced their own demons—literally or figuratively—and come out the other side ready to fight. It’s not about how good you are at playing an instrument; it’s about what you’ve got inside. If you’ve got that fire, that drive to stand up against the darkness, then you’re someone we want to work with.”

Vera Carter: “It’s also about trust. The people we train need to be in it for the right reasons. They have to understand that this isn’t just about making music—it’s about channeling something much bigger than themselves.”

Mike Tanner: “What challenges have you faced in balancing your musical careers with your supernatural responsibilities?”

Ryder Mason: “Balancing the two isn’t easy. There are days when we’re in the studio, trying to lay down tracks, and we get called out to deal with some supernatural threat. It’s a constant juggling act. But at the same time, the two feed into each other. The experiences we have fighting evil often inspire our music, and vice versa. Last night even, we were working late in the studio and we got a call from a friend of a friend. Needed help with a shadow spirit thing that got into their house and was messing with them the whole time. They thought it was funny at first and put it on Insta or something – tiktok making viral clips and stuff they actually enjoyed it… well last night they were trying to sleep and the thing attacked them cut his wife and him and they freaked out. So who else do they call? Police will just call the funny farm to pick them up.”

Vera Carter: “Exactly. Sometimes it’s exhausting, but the music keeps us going, we came back and wrote Shadow Rider early this morning. It’s a release, a way to process everything we’re dealing with. Plus, there’s a responsibility that comes with what we do. We can’t just walk away from the fight—it’s part of who we are now.”

Mike Tanner: “Are there any particular myths or legends that have influenced your music or magical practices?”

Ryder Mason: “Definitely. We draw from a lot of different sources—everything from ancient mythology to modern urban legends. There’s this deep well of stories out there that tap into universal fears and desires. Those stories are like roadmaps for the kind of energy we want to channel in our music. For the record the new album – if I can plug it – yes? Ok Cryptids is going to have a track about Bigfoot. We did not find Bigfoot. We did go looking it was a late night hike in the woods for about a week and we saw nothing and heard nothing. But the song is still in there and it covers the overall vibe of his legendary status as a cryptid.“

Vera Carter: “And it’s not just about the legends themselves, but what they represent. Every myth has a grain of truth in it, something that resonates with people on a deep level. We try to capture that in our songs—whether it’s the idea of battling monsters or finding light in the darkness. If someone ends up just listening to our tunes while studying and zoning out – or if it helps them fight their own inner or outer demons and fights – then its worth it.”

Mike Tanner: “How has your approach to songwriting and storytelling evolved over the course of your albums?”

Ryder Mason: “I think we’ve become more focused. In the beginning, it was a lot of experimenting, trying to find our sound and what we wanted to say. Now, with each album, we’ve honed in on the stories we want to tell and the emotions we want to evoke. It’s like each album is a chapter in this ongoing saga.”

Vera Carter: “Yeah, very much like that, and we’ve also gotten better at weaving the magic into the music. It’s not just about the lyrics anymore—it’s about how the entire composition comes together to create a certain feeling or atmosphere. We’ve learned a lot about how to use different styles and genres to tell different parts of the story.”

Mike Tanner: “What kind of training and preparation goes into becoming a Ghost Riff Rider?”

Ryder Mason: “It’s not like anything you’d experience in a traditional band. It’s part musical training, part mental and spiritual preparation. We focus a lot on developing the ability to channel the energy we’re working with. That means intense practice sessions, but also rituals, meditation—things that help you tune into the right frequencies. My wife and spiritual advisor Luna could answer that better but the current generation is all taught about manifesting and dream boards and crap like that. The truth is that you have to make the stuff happen, you have to get your hands dirty and work to get anything out of life. Making our type of music is no different but it is much more involved than just chanting in the morning and strumming at night. It is deeply personal and real.”

Vera Carter: “And you have to be willing to push yourself, both creatively and physically. We put a lot of emphasis on endurance, because when you’re out there, facing something dark and nasty, you need to be able to keep playing, no matter what. “

Mike Tanner: “Have you encountered any especially dangerous or powerful adversaries during your adventures?”

Ryder Mason: “More than we can count. We’ve faced everything from malevolent spirits to creatures that defy description. There was this one time in New Orleans where we got tangled up with a group of vengeful spirits that were more powerful than anything we’d faced before. It was a battle of wills, and we had to pull out all the stops to get through it. That event will likely never be in a song. Some dark stuff that night. ”

Vera Carter: “Yeah, and then there are the things that don’t make themselves known until they’re right on top of you. Sometimes it’s not the big, obvious threats, but the subtle, creeping ones that catch you off guard. You have to stay on your toes. Like house hold sprites that are there to mess with you may seem cute but damn if those things dont turn nasty quick if you have something good going on in your life.”

Mike Tanner: “Can you give us a glimpse into what fans can expect from your upcoming album and live shows?”

Ryder Mason: “The new album, Cryptids, is going to be something special. We’re diving deep into the idea of hidden monsters—both literal and metaphorical. Expect a mix of heavy riffs, haunting melodies, and some surprises in terms of our sound. As for live shows, let’s just say we’re pulling out all the stops. It’s going to be a full-on sensory experience. Sam our techie has some great effects planned to scare and chill the audience and we will add to it as we go.”

Vera Carter: “We’re also bringing more of the magical elements into our performances. The energy is going to be off the charts. We want people to feel like they’re part of something bigger when they come to our shows—like they’re stepping into our world for a while. Luna has been working on the idea of GRR gear people can wear to keep with them all the time like a braclet or a necklace that will warn people about evil, or help guide them to the light better.”

Mike Tanner: When you say guide them to the light? Have you had issues with religious people shouting at you about the message of your music or the fact you say you use magic in the shows?

Vera Carter: Oh yeah, we’ve had our fair share of that. There’s always going to be people who don’t understand what we’re doing or misinterpret our message. But we’re not here to preach; we’re here to create. Our music isn’t about pushing any kind of agenda—it’s about exploring themes that resonate with us and with our audience. Our lyrics are literally about kicking the evil crap in the nuts and fighting back with the light of love and life and music and they just don’t care they are looking for their soapbox to stand on and shout and we get it.

Ryder Mason: We’ve definitely encountered some pushback, but we’re not out there casting spells or anything. When we talk about magic, we’re talking about the energy in the room, the vibe we create with our music. Some people see the word “magic” and think it’s something dark or evil, but it’s really just about harnessing the power of music to create a positive experience. If someone wants to take it in a different direction, that’s on them. We know where we stand, and so do our fans.

Mike Tanner: “How do you hope your music and message will impact listeners and inspire them to face their own struggles?”

Ryder Mason: “We want our music to be a source of strength for people. Life’s full of challenges, and we all face our own demons. If our music can help someone feel less alone, give them the energy to keep fighting, then we’ve done our job. Music has a unique power to connect with people on a deep level, and we want to use that to make a difference.”

Vera Carter: “It’s also about empowerment. We’re not just telling stories—we’re showing people that they have the power to shape their own narratives, to fight back against the things that try to drag them down. If our music can help someone realize their own strength, that’s the best reward.”

Mike Tanner: “Are there any plans to expand the Ghost Riff Riders beyond the core members, perhaps creating a network of magical musicians?”

Ryder Mason: “That’s definitely something we’re thinking about. We’ve already started training a few people, and the idea of creating a network of musicians who can do what we do is pretty exciting.

Mike Tanner: Now, I have to ask—there’s been some talk online, especially in underground forums, questioning if Ghost Riff Riders is a real band or if it’s all just computer tones, synth, and overproduced reverb. Some even say you’re AI-generated. What do you say to that?

Ryder Mason: [Laughs] The music is real. It comes from someplace deep in the soul. Are we using magic to fight off evil spirits and dark forces? Maybe. But when it comes to music, it always has a goal—inspiration, focus, drive. Music is magic, it has energy. We’re not trying to be purists or anything. We use the tools available to us—computers, technology—but at the end of the day, it’s all about the emotion, the drive behind the music.

Vera Carter: Yeah, we’re not living in the Stone Age. We use modern tools to create our sound, but it’s still our sound. Every note, every lyric, it’s all us. We’re just using what we have to bring that vision to life.

Mike Tanner: Do you guys have any vinyl releases planned, or are you sticking with digital?

Ryder Mason: Not yet. We started in a garage in 2020, and who knows, maybe one day we’ll put something out on vinyl. But that’s not the goal. We’re not trying to be Zeppelin or Floyd or even Metallica. We’re just trying to be us—Ghost Riff Riders—making music about adventure, supernatural events, love, and the things that go bump in the night.

Mike Tanner: That’s awesome. Thanks so much for your time, Ryder and Vera. It’s been a blast talking with you. I’m sure our listeners are going to be hyped for Cryptids and the live shows coming up.

Vera Carter: Thanks for having us, Mike. It was fun.

Ryder Mason: Yeah, man. Thanks for having us. Stay metal.

Mike Tanner: [Laughs] Always. This is Mike Tanner, signing off from The Metal Underground. Keep it heavy, folks.

[Outro Music]