Mario Plays Riffs
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marioplaysriffs.bsky.social
Mario Plays Riffs
@marioplaysriffs.bsky.social
Chicago, IL based guitarist and musician
I play guitar in @btmbrkt.bsky.social
Let's talk if you wanna rock
linktr.ee/marioplaysriffs
Been messing around with a new one for @btmbrkt.bsky.social that features this wild riff, made even wilder by the Count to Five ✋

#guitarriff #diymusic #chicago #diymusician #illinois #riffoftheday #twinkledaddies #riff #midwestemo #mathrock
July 16, 2025 at 10:41 PM
One of the most difficult riffs to nail down from the new Parachute Day album was this 4-finger tapped, 7-over-4 metric mod in Smooch. I’m not sayin how many takes it took for this video…😒 but it does sound cool as hell tho 😤
July 9, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Missed a few weeks but we’re back from tour and back to riffin’ baby! Here’s another section of IKYKWIM that uses a really fun combo of rhythmic palm mutes and harmonics. To me, the first part sounds like what the inside of a watch looks like, I will not be elaborating further.
July 2, 2025 at 10:51 PM
New riff I’ve been messing around with, what y’all think?? 👀
June 4, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Here’s a little run from a song that didn’t make the cut on the latest @btmbrkt.bsky.social album. We’ve had this riff in the bank since 2020 but haven’t found the right way to package it in a song. Maybe we’ll drop it one day 🤷‍♂️😏
May 28, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The EQD Rainbow Machine may be a crazy pedal, but it’s also a sneaky snapback delay. I use one in the bridge of “Rainbow in the Rear View” by @btmbrkt.bsky.social and it makes it sound like the storm overhead is passing and the clouds are parting.

🌈 ⛈️ ⛅️
May 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
This super chill & groovy section of “Propeller” by Parachute Day is caked with beautiful layers. I utilize a Count to Five on the lead part and it sounds beautiful! There’s also some E-Bow action in there 🎻
May 14, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I doubt anyone asked for this but here’s my emo version of a “wee-woo” riff. I’d also like to introduce the internet to my Danelectro Longhorn bass, which has become a staple of my at-home demoing process. My dog Leo also makes an appearance, and yes, he is a paid actor.
May 7, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I already posted this one to the @btmbrkt.bsky.social account a while back, but this guitar solo from “IKYKWIM” is probably my most favorite solo I’ve ever written. It’s so juicy 🧃

BB is announcing some pretty awesome shows this week, stay tuned and see where we’ll be hopping around this summer!
April 30, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Whammy 🆙

This little lick in “A Confrontation” by @btmbrkt.bsky.social uses one of my favorite effects, a simple addition of an octave up. The DigiTech Whammy was one of the first pedals I ever acquired. I can’t picture myself not having it at this point tbh 😅
April 23, 2025 at 5:54 PM
This is the 2nd solo in “Mijito” by Parachute Day - it has so many textures and frills throughout it that make for an incredibly fun challenge.

Played on my CME Exclusive Reverend Double Agent OG 🥑😤
April 16, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Tapping on guitar requires a lot of concentration at lower gain stages to get notes to sound clear, making this riff from Cellar Doors by @btmbrkt.bsky.social deceptively difficult. It’s still hella fun to play though, and the Tele middle position sounds perfect with it.
April 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
When you’re listening to “Great Lake Jumper” off the latest @btmbrkt.bsky.social album, you might notice there’s a few extra guitar layers in the end. Here’s a collage of everything going on, all played on my beautiful blue Tele.

Come see us at SubT this Sunday!!

linktr.ee/marioplaysriffs
April 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Home from tour with Parachute Day, but still loving playing this solo from “Microburst”.

You can’t see it in the video, but towards the end I hit a note and pitch-shift up 1 octave using a DigiTech Whammy. 🦶

Catch us at our album release show this Friday at Gman Tavern in Chicago!!
March 26, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Is it cool if I do some more riffposting? 😏

This is a sick solo from “You’re Finally Awake” off the new Parachute Day record. So much fun to play.

linktr.ee/parachutedayil
March 12, 2025 at 8:54 PM
The show tonight is sold out, but if you’re there come say hey!! ☺️
March 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
It was an absolute dream getting to share the stage with Calicoloco last month at Metro. Can’t wait to do it again at Schubas tonight. What can I say, I love rock n roll

📸: Kennedy Cottrell
March 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Next up on the riff schedule - Bottom Bracket plays this heater in Chicago next Friday with so many amazing emo bands!!

Tix here:
www.etix.com/ticket/p/456....
February 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Next up on the riff schedule - rocking with Calicoloco TOMORROW at Metro!! I can't believe I get the opportunity to play on the Metro stage. Come hang and say hey 😎
February 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Tonight at Cobra Lounge ☺️ come hang, @btmbrkt.bsky.social goes on last!!
January 31, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I will be playing riffs at Cobra Lounge this Friday with @btmbrkt.bsky.social

Tix: linktr.ee/marioplaysriffs
January 29, 2025 at 8:58 PM