Reese Van Riper Skewer The American Dream With Riff-Fueled Fury

CREDIT: REESE VAN RIPER

We caught up with New Jersey's own Reese Van Riper to dig into their explosive new release, The American Dream. Our conversation hit on everything from the song’s raw, rallying spirit and its swampy, psychedelic grit to the Hunter S. Thompson–inspired chaos fueling the sound. Reese opened up about working with longtime friend Kevin Antreassian to push the record’s intensity, and how director Mike Diebold helped bring a surreal, protest-fueled nightmare to life in the music video. We also got into the band’s relentless creative drive, the difference between crafting this project and their massive 30-song trilogy, and what fans can expect both onstage and in the wild new projects already in motion.

Hey Reese, stoked to connect! “The American Dream” feels like both a rallying cry and a haunting mirror. What first sparked the idea for this song, and when did it feel like it had to be the title track for the album?

I came up with the idea a few years back, I thought it would be great to use that title, poignant, Reese Van Riper The American Dream, The American Dream Reese Van Riper. As the process of writing, then later rehearsing with the band, it really became a rock and roll rallying cry but really fun. There is a lot of division in our country right now, seems the nation is hyper focused on what’s destroying us and completely ignoring what will save us. Friends and family members choosing different sides ruining relationships all while forgetting they’re fanatical over two wings on the same dang bird. A bird that’s methodically poisoning, bankrupting and exploiting them until they toss them in the can or they die. I was sick of being ignored when talking to people about it so i decided to start screaming about it.

The single really blends swamp grit, psychedelia, and that raw rebellious streak you’re known for. Were there particular artists, films, or even real-life moments that fed into that sound and energy?

"The American Dream" definitely has that Hunter S Thompson GONZO vibe, visual and absurd reporting to it. Musically I’d say my love for Every Time I Die really shines through in this one along with the mind of Nick Cave’s Grinderman and the gruff attitude of Tom Waits. Other inspirations- just turn on the news, whether it’s now or 20 years ago there is plenty to they push you to be angry about, plenty of boogymen to fear and ultimately quota’s to meet.

You’ve teamed up with Kevin Antreassian on production. What was it like working with someone who’s got that Dillinger Escape Plan pedigree, and how did he help shape the record’s intensity?

Working with Kevin was a 100% no-brainer for this album. He and I had been friends for a very long time and i have recorded with him for other friend’s albums. So knowing this was his wheelhouse, we knew he would really bring the best out of tracks like "The American Dream" & "Forever." While also doing an incredible job making the country ballads "Alcohol & Women" and "Black & Blue" shine through the mix adding a clean yet rustic finish to the album. It was easy handing the keys of the car over to Kevin and we had a great time recording at Backroom Studios.

The video directed by Mike Diebold has such a surreal, almost grindhouse-meets-protest-film quality. What conversations did you have with him about bringing the “patriotic nightmare” vision to life?

This kind of video is Deebs’ specialty. we briefly discussed a main idea and theme yet he came up with an idea of fat Reese sitting in a room covered in fries and cheeseburgers with like 10 TVs stacked on top of each other and each tv playing something different. Which I believe is absolutely perfect for today’s MKULTRA attention span. Instead of seeing one image, one video on the screen you see about four or five at a time. Each Screen has its own Easter eggs so the viewer can go back and see things they never saw the first time. Which was genius on his end. He’s been the 6th member of RVR for the past couple years and we hope to put out a dvd of all the shows, recording sessions and antics for this holiday season.

There’s some pretty heavy imagery in the video, from poisoned food to media rage to fear. Was there a particular scene or symbol that hit you hardest when you first saw it onscreen?

Yup lot of heavy imagery all truths the mass sometimes doesn’t want to see remember or admit to. from the JFK assassination to bombs dropping over Afghanistan. from ceo assasinations to alf and Ronald McDonald in a classroom teaching kids. In this country and our culture it’s all about ratings. And baby they’re booming. When Deebs (Mike Diebold) played this video for us the first time we were at a band bbq and hadn’t expected the intensity that was gonna come from it. We wound up watching the video about 5 times trying to take in all the images, commercials and seeing just how much we could get away with showing the masses.

Your last massive undertaking was the 30-song trilogy Sinners, Saints & Psychopaths. How did the scale and headspace of The American Dream compare to building that kind of epic saga?

Creating Sinners, Saints & Psychopaths was the most challenging, most fun and most proud I had ever been on any of our projects. Releasing 30 songs within less of a year and have them all be not only good but fit a concise story was a Herculean task. I consider it the band’s Magnum opus. writing and creating The American dream was a literal dream compared. a quick ep with 5 solid songs. With a producer we knew could not only bring our vision to reality but bring out sound to next level. It was fun to record, the song struckers were set up and we were prepared for the studio so it was an easy process. I think that translates thru the listening experience too.

You’ve built a reputation as one of New Jersey’s most prolific bands with seven records and 65 songs through Mint 400 since 2019. How do you keep that creative fire burning without burning out?

Reese Van Riper is my family legacy. there is no stopping or slowing down. I was raised that if I am breathing I am singing, if I am alive i am creating. Not always just relegated to music. other projects like podcasts about an addicted mouse detective named Shrouzberry, to vintage horror radio shows i host and script on radio garden state. All count as creative outlets. The trick is to never put the pencil down. if you’re getting burnt out on one creative outlet, move to another. Start drawing mice, start writing poetry, don’t just stop. It’s hard to get a tractor out of the mud after its been sitting for a few months.

Fans know Reese Van Riper for the live energy. How do you see these new songs translating to the stage, especially with their mix of swamp blues, psychedelic chaos, and straight-up rock anthems?

So far playing these songs live has been absolutely electric. There’s so much energy that comes out of us when we play them. Guitar twirling, head slamming, stick twirling, keyboard blaring, the bass is inside your throat. The response we’ve received from our fans at shows are whats keeping them in the set for quite some time to come. Even the country ones like alcohol and women are connecting with that 10 gallon hat, bourbon sipper at an empty bar in all of us.

Beyond this album, are there other projects or directions you’re itching to explore, whether visually, sonically, or conceptually?

Well beyond this album we are currently compiling a DVD of our shows at Prudential Center, White Eagle Hall and a few others venues, along with an in studio “behind the album” and a bunch of music videos we are starting to shoot for other tracks on the album like Alcohol & Women. We hope to get that out in time for the holidays. We start working on more music and touring in spring of ’26. Other projects we are dabbling with a metal project called “We Are Sick” which are the members of RVR but strictly metal and I hope to have more episodes of my podcast Maple Maurez Shrouzberry: Professional Mouse Detective out in 2026. I’m sure there’s more I’m missing but stay tuned to see.

Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to say directly to your fans as they gear up for The American Dream era?

Strap in, light some fireworks and crank it. You ARE The American Dream! Enjoy!

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