Richard Swift (musician)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Richard Swift | |
|---|---|
| Origin | California, America |
| Genres | Alternative |
| Labels | Polydor / Secretly Canadian / Velvet Blue Music |
Richard Swift is an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and short film maker. From late teens to yearly twenties Swift found himself providing for his family by doing an assortment of jobs... as a KFC cook, a carpenter, and at one point performing at large Fundamental Christian gatherings, such as Promise Keepers (the only highlight for Swift being that he got to sing "Amazing Grace" with the legendary Smokey Robinson). The experience left Swift with a bad taste in his mouth, and he moved on and began focusing on supporting himself and family by recording his own music as Richard Swift instead of the many pseudonyms he was hiding behind. He started honing his skills as keyboardist in the band, Starflyer 59 and in his own ambient-electronic outfit, Instruments of Science and Technology. Swift and his live band, The Sons of National Freedom, have earned a cult following through frequent touring in the US and Europe, alongside My Morning Jacket,Two Gallants and The Walkmen. His big break came at a performance at the 2006 South by Southwest festival. Swift's influences span Bob Dylan to early seventies dub acts including the Congos and Lee Perry, whilst his latest material has drawn comparisons to Burt Bacharach, Van Dyke Parks, Paul McCartney , Rufus Wainwright and Elliott Smith amongst others.
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[edit] Press Quotes
Little short of magnificent. The onset of a major talent Uncut Magazine
Swift fashions music that thrills with new shapes… a difficult and surprisingly rare achievement Sunday Times
"It's not stringently retro, more a Tin Pan Alley of the Imagination. Four stars." - Mojo
"Connoisseurs of grand American pop will love Richard Swift. Four stars." - Uncut
"Swift's adherence to what is essentially bygone rises above contrivance to further reveal him as a worthy descendant of the approach to which he aspires." - Under The Radar
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Dressed Up for the Letdown - US & UK (2007)
- The Novelist - US (2005)
- Walking Without Effort - US (2005)
[edit] EPs and Singles
- The Novelist - US (2003)
- You're Lying - US (2004)
- Buildings in America - US (2004)
- Nothing to Do with Foxy Boxing - US (2005)
- P.S. It All Falls Down - US (2005)
- Beautifulheart - UK (2006)
- Kisses for the Misses - UK (2007)
[edit] Box Sets
- The Richard Swift Collection, Volume 1: The Novelist / Walking Without Effort - US (2005), UK (18/09/06)
