above me is the main songwriting vehicle for SF based artist Rick Altieri, formerly of Blue Ocean and drummer in Aluminum. A project defined by guitar driven pop songs reinforced with drum machines, sampled beats, dreamy synths and strange sound design treats.

Equally rooted in the realms of shoegaze and sample based electronica, above me doesnt set out to reinvent any particular sound but pays homage to a wide variety of influences from mbv and Chapterhouse to Autechre and OPN.

After a S/T EP on Dandy Boy Records, Soften The Blows marks the first full length LP from above me.