RIFF WOOD: The Butterfly Takes Flight

Highwire Daze Interview with Carson Groves, Asher “Shredder” Winegar, and Hyrum Russon

Debut Album Butterfly in Black and White arrives this Friday

There’s a spark in Riff Wood — the kind that feels like a band catching fire in real time. Fresh off a sold‑out UK run, a hometown triumph, and a landmark night at The Troubadour, the Utah‑based trio is gearing up to release their debut album Butterfly in Black and White this Friday.

Carson Groves, Asher “Shredder” Winegar, and Hyrum Russon sat down with Highwire Daze to talk touring, songwriting, spilled milk, donuts, and the surreal moment when one of their songs neared four million streams. What follows is a conversation full of humor, heart, and the raw honesty that defines their music.

THE INTERVIEW

We’re here with the three members of Riff Wood. First, introduce yourselves and tell me what you do in the band.

Shredder: I’m Shredder, and I play the drums.

Carson: I’m Carson Groves. I play guitar, sing, and write songs.

Hyrum: I’m Hyrum. I also play guitar, sing, and write songs.

Utah Roots

Where are you guys based out of, and what’s your local music scene like?

Carson: We’re based out of Davis County, Utah. The scene is pretty good — lots of bands, lots of shows. It’s a fun place to play.

Hyrum: It’s definitely a live‑concert‑centered scene. People here love indie rock, especially younger crowds.

Tour Highlights

You just wrapped up a tour. What were some highlights?

Carson: Selling out rooms in the UK was surreal. Hearing people in another country sing our songs back to us… that was wild. And our hometown show at the end — biggest crowd, friends, family — that one meant a lot.

Hyrum: Honestly, just being on the bus with my boys for a month. Super lit. Video games, hanging out — the best.

Shredder: Toronto was a huge highlight. We’d never been to Canada, and that show shocked me. It was amazing.

The Troubadour

You played the world‑famous Troubadour here in Los Angeles. What was that like?

Carson: Awesome. We had a film crew documenting everything, the crowd was great, and the venue’s history made it feel legendary.

Shredder: We had a lot of friends there too, which made it even better.

Hyrum: Legendary.

Working with Rob Cavallo

Speaking of legendary — what was it like working with Rob Cavallo?

Hyrum: Rob is the coolest. Amazing producer, amazing person. He’s funny, great to hang out with, and he gave us advice we’d never thought of. One big thing was staying raw — keeping the authenticity in our takes. He gets the best out of us without over‑polishing.

Carson: The best.

Butterfly in Black and White

Your debut album Butterfly in Black and White drops this Friday. What’s the story behind that title?

Carson: Funny story — Hyrum loves milk. He spilled some at my house, and it looked like a butterfly. I snapped a picture, messed with filters, and it silhouetted perfectly. We Googled what a black‑and‑white butterfly symbolizes — in some cultures it’s positive change, in others misfortune or death. That yin‑yang duality inspired the song and eventually the whole album.

Hyrum: So who really made the album happen — me spilling the milk or you taking the picture?

Carson: Chicken or the egg.

Shredder: It was me. I wasn’t even there, but I manifested it.

Songwriting Spotlight: “Punk”

Let’s talk about the first track, Punk.

Shredder: The drum part came to me in the shower. I tapped it out, ran downstairs, played it, and later realized it fit perfectly with a riff the guys had.

Hyrum: It was wild — three separate ideas that weren’t meant to be one song. But when we put them together, it clicked. Super collaborative.

“Manufactured Tragedy”

Tell me about Manufactured Tragedy.

Carson: My friend Dan came up with the title and told me to write a song called that. The whole thing — melody, lyrics — came from that idea of how we sometimes create our own tragedies by focusing too much on the negative. It sat unfinished for a year until I found the melody that became the last third of the song. Then the band added harmonies, guitars, drums — and it became one of my favorites.

“Beyond a Tree”

Beyond a Tree was just released — awesome song. What inspired it?

Hyrum: Thank you. This one was personal. It’s about having a chance with something, missing it, but still having hope. The guitar part came instantly — I sat down, put my fingers on the fretboard, and the first thing that came out became the foundation.

Four Million Streams

Your song Blur is nearing four million streams on Spotify. What does that mean to you?

Carson: It blows our minds. Four million times people have listened — and that’s just Spotify. That song was the soundtrack of the most exciting time in our lives when things first started picking up. I’ll always have a soft spot for it.

Dream Opening Slot

If Riff Wood could open for any band, past or present, who would it be?

Hyrum: Green Day. We’ve loved them forever, and our sound fits.

Carson: Green Day was the catalyst for us getting into rock. Opening for them would be unreal.

Shredder: I’d pick The Police. It wouldn’t fit as seamlessly, but it would be fun.

Carson: Imagine opening for The Beatles. We’d get booed off.

Hyrum: Or Michael Jackson.

If Riff Wood Were a Donut…

If the music of Riff Wood were a donut, what kind would it be?

Carson: That’s a great question. We’ve never been asked that before. I like it.

Hyrum: A sprinkled donut. We don’t have just one sound. Our first album has a more consistent vibe, but even then there are slower songs and different moods. And the second album has even more variety — sad songs, happy songs, upbeat jump‑around songs. So yeah, a sprinkled donut feels right.

Carson: Either a sprinkled donut or a jelly‑filled donut. There’s so much greatness on the outside, but once you get to the jelly in the middle, you’re like, “What’s this? I wasn’t expecting that.”

Hyrum: Once you get to the core, there’s a surprise.

Shredder: Or like a half‑chocolate, half‑glazed donut — the whole Butterfly in Black and White vibe.

Hyrum: Honestly, I don’t even like jelly‑filled donuts. I love donuts, but not jelly — except in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

The Road Ahead

With the new album dropping this Friday, what’s next?

Hyrum: Keep touring.

Shredder: Keep doing what we’re doing.

Carson: Keep getting better every day.

Shredder: Share our music with the world. That’s the goal.

Message to the Fans

And do you have any messages for your fans who are reading this now?

Hyrum: We love you guys. We would not be where we are without you. Tell your friends — we’re Riff Wood, and we’ve got an album coming out on September 18th. We’re very proud of it. Have a good one.

Shredder: We hope you enjoy it. And again — we love you.

Carson: Yeah!

In Conclusion

Riff Wood stands at the edge of something big — the kind of moment bands dream about, where the songs sharpen, the crowds grow louder, and the future starts to take shape. Butterfly in Black and White arrives this Friday, carrying all the raw honesty, humor, hope, and heart these three musicians pour into their work.

If the past year was the spark, this album is the ignition.

Riff Wood is ready. And the world is starting to listen.

(Interview by Ken Morton – Live Photos by Jack Lue)

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