Richard Swift (musician)
Encyclopedia
Richard Swift is an American singer, songwriter
, multi-instrumentalist
, producer
and short-film maker. He is the founder, owner, and recording engineer of National Freedom, a recording studio
located in Oregon
, and has worked as producer
for such acts as Damien Jurado
, The Mynabirds, Kissing Cousins
and Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab
fame. Swift is now a member of indie rock band The Shins
.
to pursue his solo recording career. He recorded Walking Without Effort but, unsure as to how it should be released, shelved it. In 2002–03 Swift recorded The Novelist, selling home-made copies at shows in and around Los Angeles
. Later in the year he went on to release a small pressing of "properly manufactured" versions via Velvet Blue Music
. As well as the first 4 Richard Swift 7"s. In 2004, Swift combined The Novelist and Walking Without Effort to create the double-disc The Richard Swift Collection Vol. 1. He signed to indie label Secretly Canadian
, who then re-released the Collection in 2005. After touring in the US and Europe and releasing half a dozen 45s/EPs, UK major label Polydor signed Swift, and yet again the double disc was re-released in hopes of introducing Swift to the UK. In 2007, Polydor/Secretly Canadian
issued his proper follow-up "Dressed Up For the Letdown". Fans and critics praised the record as Swift's greatest work to date. Later in the year Swift met Wilco
-frontman Jeff Tweedy
during a taping of the BBC
program "Later...with Jools Holland". Tweedy
asked Swift to support Wilco
on their Sky Blue Sky
US tour. During the tour Tweedy
invited Swift to record at their Loft in Chicago, IL. In October 2007, Swift started his 4th LP at the Wilco
Loft. The year ended with Richard canceling a string of November shows with friends Cold War Kids
due to a wrist injury. In late February 2008 the Secretly Canadian
website announced the future release of a double EP named "Richard Swift As Onasis". This album was released on 04/08/08. In August 2008, Swift released an EP entitled "Ground Trouble Jaw" as a digital download. In April 2009, Secretly Canadian released "The Atlantic Ocean" which saw the return of Swift's pop-centric song writing. The album featured special guests such as Pat Sansone
(Wilco
), Casey Foubert (Sufjan Stevens
, Crystal Skulls, Pedro the Lion), Sean Lennon
, producer Mark Ronson
, and singer/songwriter Ryan Adams
.
recording artist Damien Jurado
's record "Saint Bartlett". In 2010, Swift also produced The Mynabirds' "What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood" and co-produced Laetitia Sadier's album "The Trip". Swift is known to often provide hefty contributions as a multi-instrumentalist to the albums he produces. In a 2007 interview, Swift commented on his techniques as a producer and engineer, stating "Most of my recording techniques come from looking at photos on the inside of Sly & The Family Stone or Beatles LPs, or from watching 'Sympathy for the Devil' and thinking, 'Oh! That's where they put the mike!'."
In addition to the music recorded under his own moniker and producing work, he was also briefly a keyboardist in the band Starflyer 59
in 2003, playing live shows and contributing to their 2003 album "Old". He also currently fronts his own ambient-electronic-outfit-side-project, Instruments of Science and Technology.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, multi-instrumentalist
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
, producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and short-film maker. He is the founder, owner, and recording engineer of National Freedom, a recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
located in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, and has worked as producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
for such acts as Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado is an American indie rock singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Over the years he has released albums on many labels; today, his primary label is Secretly Canadian.-Music career:...
, The Mynabirds, Kissing Cousins
Kissing Cousins
Kissing Cousins may refer to:* Kissing Cousins , an American comedy film* "Kissing Cousins" , an episode of the television series Full House* Kissin' Cousins, a 1964 musical comedy film that stars Elvis Presley...
and Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab
Stereolab
Stereolab are an alternative music band formed in 1990 in London, England. The band originally comprised songwriting team Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier , both of whom remained at the helm across many lineup changes...
fame. Swift is now a member of indie rock band The Shins
The Shins
The Shins are an American indie rock band comprising singer, songwriter, and guitarist James Mercer, guitarist/bassist Dave Hernandez, Eric Johnson of Fruit Bats, drummer Joe Plummer and bassist Ron Lewis. Their sound draws on several musical genres, including pop, alternative rock, indie rock,...
.
Early life
In his youth, Swift moved frequently with his family, spending time in rural locations in Northern Minnesota and Southeastern Utah. He started performing and singing in a variety of churches around the age of fourteen. As a teenager, he was known to make movies on the family's handheld video camera, and soon started experimenting with a 4-track cassette recorder. He began writing and recording original material at home.As An Artist
In 2001, Swift moved to Southern CaliforniaSouthern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
to pursue his solo recording career. He recorded Walking Without Effort but, unsure as to how it should be released, shelved it. In 2002–03 Swift recorded The Novelist, selling home-made copies at shows in and around Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Later in the year he went on to release a small pressing of "properly manufactured" versions via Velvet Blue Music
Velvet Blue Music
Velvet Blue Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by Jeff Cloud . They are a label that has prided itself on a completely independent nature and DIY ethics while also living up to these same qualities...
. As well as the first 4 Richard Swift 7"s. In 2004, Swift combined The Novelist and Walking Without Effort to create the double-disc The Richard Swift Collection Vol. 1. He signed to indie label Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
, who then re-released the Collection in 2005. After touring in the US and Europe and releasing half a dozen 45s/EPs, UK major label Polydor signed Swift, and yet again the double disc was re-released in hopes of introducing Swift to the UK. In 2007, Polydor/Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
issued his proper follow-up "Dressed Up For the Letdown". Fans and critics praised the record as Swift's greatest work to date. Later in the year Swift met Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
-frontman Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy
Jeffrey Scot "Jeff" Tweedy is an American songwriter, musician and leader of the band Wilco. Tweedy joined rockabilly band The Plebes with high school friend Jay Farrar in the early 1980s, but Tweedy's musical interests caused one of Farrar's brothers to quit...
during a taping of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
program "Later...with Jools Holland". Tweedy
Tweedy
Tweedy may refer to:As a name:*Alex Tweedy*Bob Tweedy*Cheryl Tweedy*George Tweedy*Jeff Tweedy, leader of American band, Wilco*John Tweedy*John Hubbard Tweedy*Samuel Tweedy*Tweedy Bird LocAnimal:*Tweedy's Crab-eating RatShips:*USS Tweedy...
asked Swift to support Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
on their Sky Blue Sky
Sky Blue Sky
Sky Blue Sky is the sixth studio album by Chicago rock band Wilco, released on May 15, 2007 by Nonesuch Records. Originally announced on January 17, 2007 at a show in Nashville, Tennessee, it was the band's first studio album with guitarist Nels Cline and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone...
US tour. During the tour Tweedy
Tweedy
Tweedy may refer to:As a name:*Alex Tweedy*Bob Tweedy*Cheryl Tweedy*George Tweedy*Jeff Tweedy, leader of American band, Wilco*John Tweedy*John Hubbard Tweedy*Samuel Tweedy*Tweedy Bird LocAnimal:*Tweedy's Crab-eating RatShips:*USS Tweedy...
invited Swift to record at their Loft in Chicago, IL. In October 2007, Swift started his 4th LP at the Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
Loft. The year ended with Richard canceling a string of November shows with friends Cold War Kids
Cold War Kids
Cold War Kids are an American indie rock band from Long Beach, California. Band members are Nathan Willett , Jonnie Russell , Matt Maust , and Matt Aveiro .-History:...
due to a wrist injury. In late February 2008 the Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
website announced the future release of a double EP named "Richard Swift As Onasis". This album was released on 04/08/08. In August 2008, Swift released an EP entitled "Ground Trouble Jaw" as a digital download. In April 2009, Secretly Canadian released "The Atlantic Ocean" which saw the return of Swift's pop-centric song writing. The album featured special guests such as Pat Sansone
Pat Sansone
Pat Sansone is a multi-instrumentalist in the rock bands Wilco and The Autumn Defense.Sansone was born in Meridian, Mississippi...
(Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
), Casey Foubert (Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
, Crystal Skulls, Pedro the Lion), Sean Lennon
Sean Lennon
is an American singer, songwriter, musician, guitarist and actor. He is the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. His godfather is Sir Elton John.-Early life and education:...
, producer Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson
Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
, and singer/songwriter Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
.
As Producer
In early 2009, after breaking a finger, Swift began spending more time working with other artists as producer. May 2010 saw the release of fellow Secretly CanadianSecretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
recording artist Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado is an American indie rock singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Over the years he has released albums on many labels; today, his primary label is Secretly Canadian.-Music career:...
's record "Saint Bartlett". In 2010, Swift also produced The Mynabirds' "What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood" and co-produced Laetitia Sadier's album "The Trip". Swift is known to often provide hefty contributions as a multi-instrumentalist to the albums he produces. In a 2007 interview, Swift commented on his techniques as a producer and engineer, stating "Most of my recording techniques come from looking at photos on the inside of Sly & The Family Stone or Beatles LPs, or from watching 'Sympathy for the Devil' and thinking, 'Oh! That's where they put the mike!'."
In addition to the music recorded under his own moniker and producing work, he was also briefly a keyboardist in the band Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59 is an alternative rock band from Riverside, California that was founded in 1993 by Jason Martin, brother of Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric. While Jason Martin has written nearly all of Starflyer 59's songs, the band has included a number of different musicians over the years, including...
in 2003, playing live shows and contributing to their 2003 album "Old". He also currently fronts his own ambient-electronic-outfit-side-project, Instruments of Science and Technology.
Albums
- Library Catalog Music Series: Music for Paradise Armor - Released under the name Instruments of Science & Technology (2010)
- The Atlantic Ocean (2009)
- Richard Swift As Onasis - US (2008)
- Music From the Films of R/Swift - Released under the name Instruments of Science & Technology - US (2008)
- Dressed Up for the Letdown - US & UK (2007)
- The Novelist - US (2005)
- Walking Without Effort - US (2005)
- Company - Released under the name Company - US (2002)
EPs and Singles
- 3" CD EP as a part of the Laminar Excursion Monthly - US (2010)
- Ground Trouble Jaw - Digital (2008)
- The Songs of National Freedom - UK (2007)
- Kisses for the Misses - UK (2007)
- Beautifulheart - UK (2006)
- Nothing to Do with Foxy Boxing - US (2005)
- P.S. It All Falls Down - US (2005)
- You're Lying - US (2004)
- Buildings in America - US (2004)
- The Novelist - US (2003)
Box Sets
- The Richard Swift Collection, Volume 1: The Novelist / Walking Without Effort - US (2005), UK (18/09/06)