Welcome to the enlightening tête-à-tête between jazz journalist Morgan Enos and none other than the illustrious Greg Rahn—a man who boldly juggles jazz, funk, blues, R&B, and maybe even cake-baking on the side! His latest masterpiece, Side Hustle, features an ensemble of talented musicians ready to blow your socks off, assuming you still wear any with all that toe-tapping. Released on January 16 via Harmony Pacific Records, this album is as essential as your morning coffee. Links to purchase the album are sitting at the end of this article, waiting for you like a needy houseplant.
Greg Rahn has done it all and then some. In the vibrant Bay Area, he’s a perpetual performer and bandleader steeped in all things musical. His experience ranges from jazz and funk to Latin music and New Orleans piano traditions, all while balancing a vibrant career in the video game audio industry. Yes, you heard that right. Imagine crafting soundscapes for epic tales of adventure while also tickling the ivories at midnight jazz jams. The man’s multitasking skills must rival those of octopuses.
Recorded at the very chic Total Immersion Recording in American Canyon, California, and the equally fancy Studio D in Sausalito, Side Hustle encapsulates a moment where Rahn’s dedication to music has come back in full, glory-infused technicolor, much like the 80s. This conversation chronicles the winding paths that led Rahn to this marvelous convergence, diving deep into the musical dialect that unites his two worlds. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t involve extraterrestrial communications…. yet.
UK Jazz News: What’s the deal with the title Side Hustle?
Greg Rahn: Well, I decided to hit pause on my independent musical endeavors while I immersed myself in the thrilling realm of video games and being a parent—because clearly, life wasn’t busy enough! Now that I’m semi-retired, it’s time for the side hustle to step out of the shadows and start charging for its hard-earned limelight.
UKJN: What major titles did you work on?
GR: Oh, you know, just some insignificant titles like Riven: The Sequel to Myst. This limited sleeper hit was part of my deep dive into audio at Brøderbund back in the ‘90s. I mean, who hasn’t poured hundreds of hours into that title? Obviously, I didn’t save the world, but I sure made it echo beautifully.
UKJN: And how did your illustrious video game career wind down?
GR: Ah, the classic tale of corporate consolidation and layoffs—like a Shakespearean tragedy but with slightly fewer existential dialogues. After decades of jumping from company to company like a musical bedbug, I found myself back focusing on music, which had always been my first love, right after pizza and naps, of course.
UKJN: What about your debut album, Rent Party?
GR: Ah, yes! The solo piano project that took a year longer than anticipated because apparently, I needed to spread my wings and fly off to various pianos and locations. Did I mention it’s an homage to rent parties? Because that’s what all the cool kids were doing to pay their sky-high rents. Who knew jazz could also be so economically savvy?
