Widetrack began in 2006 as a deeply personal turning point for Michigan-based musician Ron Tippin. After years spent behind the drum kit, quietly writing songs in the background, the sudden loss of his father at age 57 served as a wake-up call; a moment that made it clear life is too short to keep your passions hidden. That realization led Ron to step out from behind the kit and launch Widetrack as a solo creative outlet; a space to finally give voice to the music he’d been carrying inside for years.

The result was Widetrack’s self-titled debut, released in 2007 - a fiercely independent project that Ron poured everything into. Drawing from years of songwriting, he selected a dozen tracks that captured the emotional and creative urgency of his vision. With support from close collaborators, the album came to life under Ron’s multi-instrumental direction: he performed the drums, guitars, bass, and all vocals himself. The process was guided and co-produced by longtime friend Andy Patalan (of ‘90s alt-grunge band Sponge), whose experience and insight helped shape the final product. A few other trusted friends contributed to individual tracks, rounding out the sound with personal touches.

“That first album was, without a doubt, the hardest I’d ever worked on a musical project in my life,” says Ron. “I had written a lot of songs over the years leading up to that point, and finally had 12 that I felt really good about. Andy was instrumental in helping bring it all to reality, and I’ll always be grateful to the friends who generously lent their time and creativity to help bring the music across the finish line.”

That same year, Widetrack earned a slot on the second stage at New Orleans’ Voodoo Music Experience, marking their debut on a nationally recognized platform. They returned again in 2008, further cementing their early momentum and gaining invaluable live experience. Over the course of those two years, they shared the festival grounds with legendary acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, and Stone Temple Pilots — a surreal and defining moment in the band’s early journey.

“Playing those two shows at Voodoo Fest was such an eye-opener,” says Ron. “It really pushed me to figure out what I wanted to project to an audience; not just musically, but emotionally and energetically. It gave me a whole new sense of purpose and set the bar for everything that came after.”

A new chapter began during the making of Widetrack III, when Ron’s son Zach joined the project at just 12 years old to record bass parts. What began as a meaningful gesture quickly revealed itself as a spark of genuine creative chemistry. The album’s reception confirmed what fans and critics alike would soon recognize: this was far more than a family collaboration; it was the beginning of a powerful musical partnership.

That synergy deepened with 2020’s The Unwakening, a co-written concept album that marked a bold evolution in the band’s sound. As Zach’s skills rapidly grew, so did his influence on the creative process. By the time they began work on Monoliths, Widetrack’s fifth album, Zach had graduated high school and emerged as a formidable musical force in his own right, challenging Ron to expand and adapt in ways he hadn’t expected.

“It took everything I had to do justice to some of the parts Zach was coming up with,” Ron says. “But the growth that came from that process was the most fulfilling I’ve ever experienced as a musician.”

Their sixth and latest album, Galatea, is the culmination of that shared journey: a darkly cinematic concept record exploring obsession, trauma, and redemption. It captures the full creative arc of their partnership; just as Zach embarks on a new chapter of his own at Berklee College of Music, studying recording engineering and performance.

“My dad’s always been unconditionally supportive of me spreading my musical wings,” says Zach. “It’s meant a lot to know I can follow my own path while still being part of what we’ve built together.”

“I’m so proud of what Zach’s doing,” Ron adds. “Even with him away, we’re finding time to keep Widetrack alive. And there’s still so much we want to explore.”

More than just a band, Widetrack is the evolving story of a father and son whose bond continues to fuel a creative force — one that defies generational lines, genr1 Columne boundaries, and expectations.