Weekly Pull Request
Well, it’s been a minute, but we are so back, chat.
(that’s what my daughter tells me the cool kids are saying)
Ok, enough of that. What’s up friends? How are we doing? I’m so stoked to be at my desk writing this.
I’m not going to lie, writing is one of the only times I feel like my thoughts slow down and I can actually think about what I want to say before releasing it to the world. My brain moves at 1000 mph all the time…undiagnosed ADHD? Maybe.
If you’re new here, my name is Shawn — but my friends (that means you!) can call me “Paps”. I’m among many things, but notably a music producer, photographer, and a creative just like you.
This newsletter is all about navigating life as a creative entrepreneur, how to build on our creative lives with technology, and me making mistakes so you don’t have to!
Reflections
What’s Next for Riffs. Code. Coffee?
I love this photo. Captured near Old Port in Montreal, QC.
Before we get into the Weekly Pull Request, I wanted to reflect a bit on where Riffs Code Coffee has been, and where it’s going in the latter half of 2025.
Can y’all believe it’s already halfway through the year? Time needs to slow down.
I started Riffs Code Coffee as a way to entertain and inform tech-savvy creatives on the latest in tech news, tips, and opinion articles, and selfishly hoped that I might be able to build a following, and some business in the process.
But what I failed to see is that this newsletter doesn’t represent wannabe tech bros or the next linkedin bot trying to shill how they can 100x your business using the next big thing in AI
(which I already know this industry disrupting slop is a chatGPT wrapper that was vibe coded after slamming two cortados, a cold brew, and half a can of zyns. I know you brother…for I am you….. lol jk 😆)
This newsletter represents the creative — you and me — and how technology affects our lives. Given my tech background, as well as the many years I’ve spent in the studio, being both a performer and a spectator in the music scene, and my most recent ventures behind the lens, there are plenty of stories to tell and more knowledge to learn than any LLM can fathom to consume, and I want to share what I’ve learned with you.
All I ask is that you subscribe if you haven’t yet 😉
So with that, Riffs Code Coffee is a newsletter by creatives for creatives. I am grateful for you tuning in to my perspective on life as a creative, and look forward to this newsletter being a part of your creative journey.
Welcome to the Weekly Pull Request, where I share cool tech, music, and other interesting things I find throughout the week.
WPR 07/18/2025
Music
DISSOLVE - INTERLINKED
The Texas Metalcore outfit is back and in a big way. Dissolve immediately smacks you with a riff similar to Blueprints-era Wage War. Gosh, I’ve missed this style of metalcore.
Full of groovy riffs and soaring guitar leads, Interlinked really gave us a sonic punch to the face on this single.
I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of the album, titled RECEDE//COPE, when it drops on September 5th.
TEXAS - BIGXTHAPLUG
AYE!
Bet yall didn’t know I’m a hip hop fan too! X is my favorite right now, and this is my hype up track right now. I may not be from Texas, but this track is a whole vibe, and ironically is giving Florida energy too. Blast it on your stereo and tell me you don’t feel ready to conquer the world. I dare you.
WPR 07/18/2025
Modern & Massive 2
This is by far my favorite drum library that I’ve ever used. GGD rebuilt the juggernaut classic plugin from the ground up — it’s even a standalone plugin now!
There is one reason that I’m recommending this plugin. It’s not the samples, although they are very nice captures of some very nice drums.
It’s the workflow.
MM2 is a drum workstation in a plugin. Right out of the box, you get full track routing including bussing, a MIDI groove library, and processing options for EVERY track and bus — before it outputs to the track in your DAW.
Music makers, especially guitar music makers, this is a downright gamechanger for songwriting. No more fussing with post-processing, or even track routing in your pre-pro sessions. This plugin handles it for you.
I’m going to be making a youtube video on how to get the most out of Modern & Massive 2, so be sure to be on the look out for that.
WPR 07/18/2025
YOUTUBE
If you’ve been keeping up with my life outside of RCC, you’ll know that I started a youtube channel.
You’ll also know that I haven’t posted in 2 months.
Welllll, that changed yesterday. Here’s the latest video on my channel, where I take you through my new studio, as well as the goals for the channel, which are to be an extension of this newsletter, providing deeper insights into the tools and tech that I use as a creative.
WPR 07/18/2025
Closing Notes
That’s all i have for this week’s pull request. Let’s go ahead and push to main.
I will see you on Wednesday for the article of the week, and then Friday for the WPR.
We are so back, chat.
Paps.
Build Stuff. Break Stuff. Have Fun.