Rich Cupolo

Rich Cupolo is a guitarist, keyboardist, and producer best known as a founding member of The American Dollar. He also records as a solo artist under the name City Society and performs live sets using a custom-configured Monome.

Cupolo’s musical foundation began with classical piano training, followed by a self-taught path into guitar during high school, where he also began experimenting with home recording. That early interest in production deepened over the following years, running parallel to his development as a multi-instrumentalist across guitar, keyboard, and studio work.

He met longtime collaborator John Emanuele in high school, and the two continued playing together through the eventual formation of The American Dollar. Cupolo went on to earn an undergraduate degree from SUNY Albany and a graduate degree from Rutgers University, working as an educator for a stretch before committing to music full-time following the release of the album A Memory Stream.

Beyond his work as a musician and producer, Cupolo handles much of the technical design and artwork for The American Dollar, a skill set he developed under the mentorship of his father, a professional graphic designer. His production and instrumental work continues to draw on a wide range of musical influences, from classic rock to electronic music.

Equipment

Guitar Equipment:

Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Fender Standard P-Bass
Gibson Les Paul Electric Guitars
Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitars
Guild M-20 Acoustic Guitar
Fender Bassman Amp
Carvin Bel Air 2×12 Amp
Fender Blues Junior Amps
Fulltone Fulldrive 2 Pedal
Barber Tone Press Pedal
DD-20 Pedal
Boss RV-6 Pedal
Boss CS-2 Pedal

Keyboard Equipment:

M-Audio & Akai Midi Triggers
Monome 64
Roland A-80 Keyboard