The Aaron Clift Experiment

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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 from 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."

10/05/2026

Here's a teaser of a demo recording of brand-new Aaron Clift Experiment music. 👀

For this song, I wanted to create something that feels mystical and beautiful on the surface—but with something mechanical and sinister moving underneath.

One of the keys was Anthony's baritone guitar, which gave us this low, tectonic sound to contrast with the airier synth textures.

This is only a small taste.

This week's email subscribers are getting a nearly 10-minute behind-the-scenes video where I share much more of the song, break down some of the individual parts, and explain how we created the sound you're hearing here.

Want the full experience?

Join my free email newsletter and you'll also get a free ACE EP when you sign up:
https://www.aaronclift.com/signup

09/28/2026

11 years ago, ACE released "Outer Light, Inner Darkness."

The album's final song, "Bathed in Moonlight," has an unusual origin story involving a mysterious world from the video game "Myst," Greek mythology, Björk, Type O Negative, and a song about spiritual transformation.

And that world is hiding in plain sight on the album cover.

This week, I'm telling the story of how all those pieces came together—and how something I encountered as a kid eventually resurfaced years later as an ACE song.
Have you ever returned to a book, game, movie, or album years later and discovered that it affected you completely differently?

For the full story, join my free email newsletter (and get a free gift when you sign up):
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09/21/2026

I grew up obsessed with Nintendo games like Mega Man, Zelda, Metroid, Mario, and Final Fantasy.

What I didn't realize at the time was that they were also giving me a musical education.

Those old video game soundtracks exposed me to sounds and ideas that I would later discover in progressive rock, metal, classical music, jazz, and more. Eight-year-old me didn't know why this music sounded so exciting. I just knew it sounded HUGE.

A recent replay of Final Fantasy VI—and, strangely enough, a U.K. drum cover—got me thinking about just how much those games shaped the musician I eventually became.

And without giving too much away, some of those lessons are finding their way into the new ACE music I'm writing today.

This week's newsletter is all about how Nintendo became one of my gateways to progressive rock.

And yes, the Nintendo shirt in this 2020 photo is completely appropriate. 😁

Was there a movie, TV show, video game, or other unexpected place that introduced you to music you eventually came to love?

For more stories like this, join my free email newsletter and get a free gift when you sign up:
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09/14/2026

This week, I’m remembering my friend Christina Burbano-Jeffrey, who recently passed away.

I first met Christina when I attended ProgStock for the first time in 2024. She happened to be sitting right behind me and was one of the first people I met at the festival.

We immediately had plenty to talk about as fellow musicians, but what I remember most was her warmth. I was new to ProgStock and a community where many people had known each other for years, and Christina immediately made me feel welcome and like I belonged.

Christina was an incredibly talented violinist, a passionate music teacher, and an important part of the progressive rock community. But beyond everything she accomplished, she was simply a genuinely kind and caring person.

I’ve talked a lot recently about how progressive rock has become a worldwide community. Christina reminded me that communities ultimately aren't built by festivals, bands, or geography. They're built by people who make others feel welcome.

Christina was one of those people, and I’m grateful I had the chance to know her.

My deepest condolences go to her husband Jim, her family, friends, bandmates, students, and everyone whose life she touched.

This photo is of me with Christina and Jim at ProgStock in 2024.

I’ll miss you, Christina.

09/08/2026

10 years ago, The Aaron Clift Experiment played Voyager Festival, an Austin progressive rock festival built around local prog and prog-adjacent bands.

Looking at this photo from our 2016 set got me thinking about how much the idea of a “local” prog scene has changed since then.

Just recently, Built for the Future from San Antonio and Digital Life Project, whose members are spread around the U.S., were announced for Prog on the Ranch in Florida next year.

Texas bands. A Florida festival. Fans coming from everywhere.

That’s increasingly what prog looks like to me. The local scene hasn’t disappeared—it’s become part of something much bigger.

Austin is still ACE’s home, but over the past decade I’ve met prog musicians and fans from all over the world.

What about you? Do you have a prog scene where you live, or have you found your musical community elsewhere?

For more stories like this, join my free newsletter (and get a free gift when you sign up):
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08/31/2026

Dr. Dre, prog festivals, and fake bass guitars.

What could those possibly have to do with The Aaron Clift Experiment? 😁

Last week, I asked fans to send me their questions, and this week I'm answering them. We get into how I create the sounds behind ACE, whether we'll be playing live and outside Texas in 2027, and an influence you probably wouldn't guess from listening to our music.

The answers are in this week's email newsletter. It's free to subscribe, and you'll also get a free gift when you sign up.

Join the experiment here:
https://www.aaronclift.com/signup

08/24/2026

ASK ME ANYTHING!

It’s been a few months since my last Q&A, so let’s do another one.

Got a question about ACE? The new music I’m working on? Songwriting? Prog? Performing? Something from the band’s history? Or something completely unexpected?

Leave your question in the comments below, and I’ll answer as many as I can next week!

One catch: the answers will be exclusive to my email newsletter. It’s free to join, and you’ll also get a free gift when you sign up:

www.aaronclift.com/signup

And yes—you can absolutely ask about the new ACE album. I’ll tell you whatever I can without spoiling the surprises. 😁

08/17/2026

New ACE music... and this one gets HEAVY.

Think Metallica meets Devin Townsend-style prog/thrash metal...
..with a banjo?!

Yes, there's a reason. No, I'm not telling you why yet. 😁

Here's a 30-second sneak peek from one of the completed demos for the next Aaron Clift Experiment album, which we'll be recording and releasing next year.

Want to go deeper? This week's ACE newsletter includes an exclusive 7-minute video where I open the actual Ableton session, isolate the instruments, and show you how I built the arrangement.

Join the experiment to watch it:
https://www.aaronclift.com/signup

08/10/2026

One of the biggest reasons ACE's last two albums sound the way they do is because of our recording engineer, Russell Tanner (third from the left wearing a polo plaid shirt in this photo).

This past weekend, I had the honor of attending Russell's wedding, and it reminded me how fortunate I've been to work with someone who is not only an outstanding engineer, but also a gifted songwriter, musician, and friend.

Russell helped guide the recording sessions for If All Goes Wrong and The Age of Misinformation. During If All Goes Wrong, we had guest guitarists, strings, and guest keyboardists all rotating through the studio, and Russell somehow kept everything running smoothly while bringing out the best in every performance.

I've shared more about Russell's role in ACE's journey in this week's newsletter. If you'd like to read the full story—and get exclusive behind-the-scenes updates on the new album—you can sign up here:

https://aaronclift.com/signup

08/03/2026

I've never wanted to sound like Peter Gabriel.

But I have spent years asking myself a different question:

"What would Peter Gabriel do here?"

Not musically—but emotionally.

His music taught me that songs don't have to start with riffs or chord progressions. Sometimes they can begin with a question like:

"What does obsession sound like?"

That simple shift has had a huge impact on the way I've been writing the next Aaron Clift Experiment album.

I talk more about Peter Gabriel's influence—and the songwriting lessons I've learned from albums like Peter Gabriel III, So, and I/O—in this week's newsletter.

Join the experiment here:
https://www.aaronclift.com/signup

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Website

https://www.aaronclift.com/, https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FpajOhE9y3zUEdMQxb41L, https://www.youtube.com/aaroncliftm

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