The Aaron Clift Experiment

The Aaron Clift Experiment The Aaron Clift Experiment is a progressive rock project focused on albums as complete works. https://linktr.ee/aaroncliftmusic

Built around long-form songwriting, cinematic structure and narrative cohesion, each release is conceived as a unified system. Band Members:

Aaron Clift: vocals, keyboards
Anthony Basini: guitar
Clif Warren: bass
Pablo Ranlett-López: drums and percussion

Bio:

The Aaron Clift Experiment is a dynamic progressive rock band based in Austin, Texas. The band’s multi-faceted sound blends influences fr

om classic rock (Rush, Pink Floyd, King Crimson), modern rock (Porcupine Tree, Opeth), jazz, and classical - all anchored by a dedication to high-quality songwriting and musicianship. Progradar has described the group as "one of the most impressive progressive acts currently on the scene." Formed in 2012 as the solo project of Aaron Clift, the band has since blossomed into a powerful live group enriched by the extensive musical background of its members. The soaring vocals of classically-trained singer and keyboardist, Aaron Clift, are grounded by the powerhouse guitar of Anthony Basini and rhythm section of Clif Warren (bass) and Pablo Ranlett-López (drums, percussion). In the last few years, the band has carved out a significant worldwide following. The Aaron Clift Experiment’s last album, 2018’s “If All Goes Wrong,” was a critically-acclaimed progressive rock achievement, landing on several year-end best album lists. In 2017, the band had a star-making performance at RosFest, one of the largest progressive rock festivals in the world, and followed it up with an impressive outing at 2018 at Chicago’s Progtoberfest, and in 2019 with a hometown concert that was recorded for the band’s second live EP, “Live at One-2-One Bar.”

The Aaron Clift Experiment continues to move its dynamic sound forward in its latest release, “The Age of Misinformation” – a conceptual work about the destructive power of lies and the search for truth in the face of overwhelming odds. Band founder, Aaron Clift, explains: "During the COVID lockdown of 2020 - 2021, my friends, colleagues, and country went through an incredibly challenging time, and I knew that I had to say something about it. ‘The Age of Misinformation’ is The Aaron Clift Experiment’s document of that era.”

In addition to its lyrical ambition and emotional resonance, the album marks a high point for the band’s creativity - featuring everything from explosive, hard rocking songs, to gorgeous ballads, to multi-layered vocal writing that would make Queen blush! Two songs explore symphonic music with a guest string quartet, and the album’s lead single, “Bet on Zero,” is an epic big band jazz/blues fusion collaboration with 7-piece Austin horn ensemble, Big Wy’s Brass Band. Aaron notes: “For ‘The Age of Misinformation,’ we wanted to do more of everything: record music that was more intricate, more melodic, and more diverse than anything we had done before. I’m really happy with how we pulled it off, but above all, I love how the album explores a concept that reflects the events of our current world. There are songs all about frustration with the crazy state of politics, but there's also a renewed sense of optimism in other songs - knowing that there's always a light at the end of the cave."

06/15/2026

Seven years ago this week, ACE played what would become our final show at One-2-One Bar in Austin.

At the time, we had no idea it would be the last. The venue closed the following year, and looking back now, this show feels like the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

This clip is from our performance of "High Tide." Watching these old videos has reminded me how much I love playing live—and how excited I am about what comes next.

A lot of people have been asking whether ACE is working on new music. The answer is yes. We're nearing the end of the writing phase for our next album, and one of the things I'm looking forward to most is getting back on stage once the record is ready.

I shared the full story in this week's newsletter.

Newsletter subscribers are also getting:
🎵 A free download of our *Live at One-2-One Bar* EP (through 06/22 with a special coupon code)
🎵 Our *Live at RosFest 2017* EP

That's nearly a full album's worth of live ACE music for free.

Join the experiment:
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

06/08/2026

Last week, after I shared our cover of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter," one of our readers asked a great question:

"What songs would you want ACE to cover in the future?"

That got me thinking.

The best cover songs aren't necessarily the most famous songs, the most technically difficult songs, or even the songs you love the most.

They're the songs that somehow fit your band's artistic DNA.

Back in 2013, we performed King Crimson's "In the Court of the Crimson King" live in Austin. It's one of those songs that felt like a natural fit for ACE because it creates a complete musical world—something I've always admired in both music and storytelling.

You can watch the full performance on our YouTube channel.

I also shared some thoughts in this week's newsletter about what makes a song feel like it belongs in the ACE universe.

👉 Join here (free EP included):
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

Now I'm curious:

If you could hear ACE cover any song, what would it be?

06/01/2026

Thirteen years ago this week, ACE played our longest show to date at One-2-One Bar in Austin.

Part of that show included a cover of Led Zeppelin's "No Quarter," which we had only rehearsed once before taking on stage.

A lot of the performance depended on improvisation, which was a little terrifying at the time. Looking back now, I'm amazed at how well it came together.

Here's a clip from that performance.

Newsletter subscribers are getting the full video, plus an additional exclusive live video from the same show that I've never shared publicly before.

Join here (free EP included):
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

Eleven years ago this week, ACE was recording *Outer Light, Inner Darkness* during the massive Memorial Day floods that ...
05/26/2026

Eleven years ago this week, ACE was recording *Outer Light, Inner Darkness* during the massive Memorial Day floods that hit Austin in 2015.

While we were safely tucked away at Orb Recording Studios out in the Hill Country, my wife Mica got caught in some of the worst flooding on Lamar Blvd while trying to drive out and photograph the sessions. Thankfully she made it home safely, but it turned what should’ve been a normal studio day into a pretty stressful memory.

A couple days later, she made it back to the studio and captured this photo of producer Matt Noveskey and me in the control room while Joe Resnick recorded drum tracks.

Funny how albums become tied not just to songs, but to entire moments in your life.

I shared the full story in this week’s newsletter.

👉 Join here (free EP included):
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

Some rhythms don’t just support a song.They *drive* it.Lately I’ve been writing new ACE material built around rhythmic m...
05/18/2026

Some rhythms don’t just support a song.

They *drive* it.

Lately I’ve been writing new ACE material built around rhythmic momentum — the kinds of grooves that physically pull music forward.

That got me thinking about why certain songs hit so hard emotionally, and how rhythm shapes the character of a piece long before lyrics or melody enter the picture.

This week’s newsletter dives into that creative process, along with a special extra for subscribers.

👉 Join here (free EP included):
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

What song has a rhythm or groove that instantly pumps you up?

10 years ago this week, I attended RosFest for the first time.At the time, ACE had just released Outer Light, Inner Dark...
05/11/2026

10 years ago this week, I attended RosFest for the first time.

At the time, ACE had just released Outer Light, Inner Darkness, and RosFest founder George Roldan invited me to come to Gettysburg, PA to sell ACE merchandise and check out the festival.

What I discovered there was much bigger than a concert weekend.

RosFest introduced me to an entire community of progressive rock musicians and fans who loved the same kind of adventurous music that inspired me to start ACE in the first place.

And during that festival, George told me he wanted ACE to perform at RosFest the following year.

That show became one of the biggest turning points in our history.

I’m sharing the full story in this week’s newsletter.

👉 Join here (free EP included):
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

Have you ever attended a festival or concert that changed your life or musical perspective?

May the Fourth be with you.Star Wars has been a huge influence on me for as long as I can remember — not just the story,...
05/04/2026

May the Fourth be with you.

Star Wars has been a huge influence on me for as long as I can remember — not just the story, but the mythology and especially the music.

John Williams’ score for The Empire Strikes Back was actually my gateway into composers like Stravinsky, Holst, and Orff… which had a massive impact on how I approach writing music.

In fact, I released our album If All Goes Wrong on May 4, 2018 as a small tribute.

This week’s newsletter is all about that influence — and I’m sharing a live performance of “Last Crash” from RosFest 2017.

👉 Join here (free EP included):
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

Curious — what piece of music first made you feel like you were stepping into another world?

04/27/2026

A lot of people have asked me lately if new ACE music is in the works.

The answer is yes.

Last week, Anthony came over and recorded guitar parts for a new 9+ minute epic I’m working on, and I put together a short teaser from one section of the song.

When he asked what I was going for in the solo, I told him:

“Tortured and mournful.”

He delivered.

Very strong Fripp/Belew energy in places, which makes me very happy.

(Also my dog Georgia makes a cameo.)

I’m sharing a short preview here, and newsletter subscribers get the longer unedited clip, plus updates as this new record takes shape.

👉 Join here (free EP included):
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

Would love to hear what you hear in the clip.

Last week I opened things up for a Q&A…And you all came through.So this week, I’m answering questions about:music I didn...
04/20/2026

Last week I opened things up for a Q&A…

And you all came through.

So this week, I’m answering questions about:

music I didn’t appreciate at first
a full-on live show disaster
how ACE songs are built in the studio
and the story behind “Bet on Zero”

This photo is from a show we played 10 years ago — right around the same time as one of those “train wreck” moments I talk about in the email.

I’m sharing all of it in this week’s newsletter.

👉 Join here (free EP included):
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

If you could ask me anything about music or songwriting, what would it be?

10 years ago at Sahara Lounge.Low ceiling. Oversized keyboard rig.And a band still figuring things out in real time.I’ve...
04/13/2026

10 years ago at Sahara Lounge.

Low ceiling. Oversized keyboard rig.
And a band still figuring things out in real time.

I’ve been revisiting that era this week, and it reminded me how many stories and moments are tied up in this band’s history.

So… it’s time for another Q&A.

I’ll be answering your questions in this week’s newsletter — anything about songwriting, live shows, influences, gear, or the history of The Aaron Clift Experiment.

👉 Join here (you’ll also get a free EP when you sign up):
http://www.aaronclift.com/signup

What would you want to ask?

Address

Austin, TX

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