Behold your February Stage Presence Newsletter designed to offer up some fun and support to our global community of artists. Here we share ideas, discuss new products, honor members of our community, learn from one another and find inspiration in our craft of bringing music to the world.
This month we are proud to announce a significant expansion to our product line through a strategic partnership with DEVOS, marking StompLight's 10th anniversary of revolutionizing stage lighting solutions for performing artists. The partnership introduces the LightRanger series to StompLight's established lineup, expanding our reach into overhead lighting solutions.
This partnership represents a natural evolution for StompLight, transforming the company from an innovative lighting pedal manufacturer into a comprehensive stage lighting solution provider. The centerpiece of this expansion is the LightRanger 2000®, a military-grade portable lighting system that delivers up to 2,000 lumens of LED illumination with three color temperature options. Weighing just 5 pounds and extending from 3' to 10', the system features a 67-watt Li-ion battery providing up to 45 hours of runtime and Bluetooth app control for precise adjustments.
With the addition of the LightRanger 2000® StompLight is introducing a new line of premium bundles, including the Deluxe Soloist and Duo Bundles, which pair the StompLight Pro Stage Lighting Pedal with the LightRanger 2000®. This combination offers performers a complete lighting solution that can be deployed in under 60 seconds, ideal for venues ranging from intimate coffee shops to outdoor festivals. If you already own a StompLight you can purchase a LightRanger2000® separately.
Learn more about the LightRanger 2000® Overhead Stage Light
Also included in this SP are a couple StompLight Fantasy LP album covers, Words of Wisdom from the StompLight Bunker Boys and an opportunity to share your StompLight Experience via a short StompLight Survey link where any and all feedback helps us build gear that makes musician's lives better.
This month we are stoked to celebrate Southern New England based Corey Rieman, as our StompLight Artist of the Month and recipient of a coveted "StAy LiT" Flask.
StompLight Artist of the Month: Corey Rieman
Corey is one of the hardest working and active professional musicians on the East Coast. Corey performs both solo or with Corey Rieman and the Dilemma Band a Rock-Party Fusion band currently rated the #1 cover band on The Bash with a 5-star rating. Corey and his bandmates have built a large following with over 18,000 likes and followers on Facebook and are a great choice for corporate events, College functions and themed parties including weddings (at locations like the Peabody Museum Dinosaur Hall in New Haven, CT and The Eisenhower House in Newport Rhode Island). In between travel and gigs they continue to work at their newly updated studio, SohnoStudios, recording new material. This summer they will be back joining the Bike and Beer Tour for a summer full of adventure. On top of the Band, Corey and his father Craig run a web show, Dilem-Monday, expanding onto Podcasting platforms. We are honored to know Corey and Craig and thankful for their support and contribution to the arts! https://thedilemmaband.com/ https://linktr.ee/Dilemmaband
We asked Corey some questions about his musical world. Enjoy!
What is something you have learned along the way as a working musician that has helped you succeed?
The performance matters, period. No one is coming to your show to sit with their eyes closed and just listen. That’s what a stereo and a pair of headphones are for. Why take yourself from the comfort of your home, that fine tuned hi-fi to go to a venue filled with other people of other preferences and tastes. I don’t want to ever loiter on stage, and I don’t want the crowd to loiter in the audience. Lights, colors, and yes, even apparel do manner! In my opinion StompLight was a next step for us in looking the part. When you look the part, you and the audience feel it. Being encompassed by bright color flashing in time with the music makes for a powerful experience.
If you could see any artist perform, living or dead, who would it be?
With the Super Bowl fever in mind, I would have killed to have seen the Prince halftime show. He commanded the audience in the stadium and at home, his band was perfection, he was perfection. Let’s put it this way, I forget who was playing the game… that was Prince’s night. He was a notorious hard-ass to his band and all of the groups under his umbrella (Like The Time and The Apolonia 6), but it showed. In a world of Kings, he was a Crown Prince.
Favorite piece of gear?
Man, that is a loaded question! In the Dilemma Band, I play guitar, sing, play harmonica, keyboards, on top of usually run the sound, set up the stage, so It’s had to give a solid answer. My Eminent Technologies Custom 22 is a flat amplifier like anything I have ever used, providing me with an easy way to play my guitar with a mic as well. (for either solo performances or with the band). With that in mind, I’m a Lee Oskar Supported artist, and love my Carbon Fiber KLOS Acoustics and electrics on stage. All of these things allow me to travel and set up with more ease than ever without sacrificing tone and quality. With that in mind, Stomp light follows that ethos as well. Plug in your power source, place it at your feet, and you’re ready to go!
What attribute do you look for in musicians you collaborate with?
My band being called The Dilemma Band makes us the most aptly named band in the world. With that in mind, be ready to go with the flow. The guys in the Grateful Dead and their roadies used to joke that “the situation is in charge, man.” Be ready to move, take risks, follow the vibe and know how to get out of a rut. Be hungry, strive for greatness… One of my best friends dad’s told me “You never know who’s watching and hearing you the first time.”
What are your passions outside of music?
I was a history guy before I got into music, even considered being a history teacher before rock and roll stole me away. I love our national parks, and putting in efforts to help preserve our night skies. I saw the stars over Zion, Bryce, Sedona, and The Grand Canyon which was life changing. My other love and passion is Hockey. I love my New York Islanders, and have used my StompLights to perform for the Bridgeport Islanders (the blue and orange look great on the StompLights!!!). I also coach beer league hockey. Shout out to my boys on The T-Birds. I go full Herb Brooks, suit and tie, keep track of goalie saves, plus minus, track penalties, yell loud, and of course drink beer!
How has StompLight had impact on your creative experience?
Stage lighting makes a good performance great. The world of lighting can be intimidating, StompLight can be as much or as little as you want it to be. If you want it worked in via DMX in a full stage set up, you can make it happen. On the other hand, If you simply need something to make a little extra ambience (which makes a huge difference!!), that’s finally in the cards with limited set up. A durable easy to operate stage light able to just fit in a backpack and be ready to work out the bag is phenomenal!
Watch Corey's StompLight Testimonial Video!
If you would like to be featured as a StompLight Artist of the Month and a StompLight StAy LiT! Flask recipient, send us an email with a picture of you holding your StompLight, a description what you are doing musically and a link to your musical universe. info@stomplight.com
Words of Wisdom For Working Musicians
Many a musician dreams of making a career playing live music. In the next several editions of the Stage Presence newsletter StompLight President and working musician/talent buyer Michael John Ahern www.MJAmusic.com offerssom e wisdom learned from his 47 years of writing, band leading, promoting, buying talent and performing around the world. If you would like some support or have specific questions Michael provides complimentary musical career counseling to our valued StompLight customers. hello@mjamusic.com See previous Part 1&2 Words of Wisdom HERE
"As a working musician for over 40 years at times I found myself a prisoner of my own style. I became comfortable in the genre and with the players I was creating with becoming lazy and closed minded to other genres and to other artists efforts outside my circle. To battle this tendency in myself I make a practice to see live music and support other artists including different styles of music and cultural musical experiences that vary greatly. I find this inspiring and enriching. Music heals. I encourage you to join me in this practice" - Michael
