Cliff Larson’s life has not been easy and nothing was ever free; he simply tried to do the best he could with no map or compass to guide him. That same raw perseverance defines his music—a masterclass in acoustic scale and technical independence. Anchored by a 15-piece Pearl kit, Cliff’s sound is forged in the world of open-source innovation. From tracking in Ardour on Ubuntu to the intricate sound design of CDP8, UVR5 and SoundThread, he maintains total creative sovereignty over his craft. At 72, Cliff continues to push the boundaries of traditional percussion, delivering immersive, high-fidelity landscapes that reflect a meticulous, tech-forward soul.