Get lost in the ethereal waters of Green Ring’s “Adrift.” The New Hampshire-based artist and producer, also known as Robby, delivers melodic shimmer and flawless harmony atop a mesmerizing and brain-relaxing house beat in his new song “Adrift,” the third track from HIGH FREQUENCY Volume 2.
Using his “walk in nature” vibe check, Green Ring says the song passed with flying colors. And we couldn’t agree more. The floaty, whimsical instrumental is the perfect companion for an autumn stroll. “That's usually my test,” says Green Ring. “I love going for walks in nature, so I’ll put on a song and see if it passes the vibe.”
Nature is a theme present in the narrative and work of Green Ring, the moniker Robby chose on account of its association with the power to transport worlds–an effect he hopes his music can accomplish. Referring specifically to the key required by magic portals found in “the Wood”–a place between worlds in The Chronicles of Narnia, a book series that captured Robby’s imagination as a kid–Green Ring represents the power to transcend.
Infusing his music with this childlike wonder, Green Rings takes a playful approach to his production process. “The music comes out from playing around with samples and different sounds–-melodies, chord progression, harmonies–and just seeing what grabs me.”
The ease embedded in the melodies and movement of “Adrift” is indicative of Green Ring’s instinctual ability to find the sweet spot while experimenting with sound. Made while taking a break from a track that was giving him some trouble, “Adrift” embodies the flow in which it was created. “I hit a point one day where I was just like, ‘Let me take a break from grinding on this other one, and write a new idea for fun. “Adrift” came out in like the next two hours,” says Green Ring. “Listening back right after I finished working on it, it just really connected with me. I think it's going to be my favorite thing I've put out so far.”
Green Ring’s musical journey began as a kid, playing a friend’s piano whenever he got the chance. His love of skiing and nature led him to Denver, Colorado for college where he discovered the world of electronic music while attending shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. “Going to a bunch of shows at Red Rocks sent me into the electronic music realm. Seeing folks like Odesza or RUFUS DU SOL at Red Rocks was mind blowing and sent me down the whole rabbit hole.”
Inspired by an interview where Kygo talks about starting his career with simply downloading Logic and messing around in his free time, Green Ring began experimenting on the DAW, making music as a hobby. When met with the choice whether or not to renew a lease in Colorado and continue working at a job in real estate finance, he chose to move back home to New Hampshire and pursue music as a career instead.
Finding joy in the ability to invest his time and attention towards fueling his passion by making music, he encountered a challenge all too familiar to independent musicians, one that ultimately led him to web3. “As we all know, the money isn't immediate or easy to come across as a small independent musician. That's been the most challenging part. What brought me to the whole web3 world was trying to figure out the business side and how to actually make music a full-time living.”
Since 2021 Green Rings has teamed up with heds, cornerclub, Ziggy Ziggy, and LNRZ on various projects and drops. He was part of cornerclub’s “Dance Music for Introverts Volume 1” and won LNRZ’s SATELLITES remix competition with his track “Humming.” When he first encountered NFTs he says his priority was connecting with the music community and finding ways to contribute. “I'm just like, ‘What's going on with music communities in the space? And where can I make music, because that's how I want to tap in.”
Currently working on new music with half a dozen demos in the queue, he recently performed a virtual set during the Polygon Music Festival in Decentraland and is looking forward to getting his feet wet with future live events. Green Ring also curates “Drifting Off,” a Spotify playlist he has grown to over 17,000 followers, another avenue in which he connects with fellow musicians and fans to bridge connections around his musical niche. Dedicated to melodic, emotional, and mostly instrumental house music, Green Ring continues to find ways to transport us to otherworldly places.
****
Collect Music NFTs from HIGH FREQUENCY Volume 2. “Adrift” is the third track to be released from HIGH FREQUENCY Volume 2. “Adrift” is dropping via Sound at 2pm PST on October 12, 2023.
Collect and add HIGH FREQUENCY writing NFTs to your digital library.
Article by Wallace Morgan for HIGH FREQUENCY, NOISE’s weekly newsletter. Subscribe for more.