Richard Swift
b. 1977, California, USA. Lo-fi folk pop singer-songwriter Swift moved to a farm in rural Minnesota with his mother and grandfather at a young age. During his formative years he discovered his craft by self-imposed bedroom exile, learning how to use a four-track recorder and computer to record his early compositions. After years perfecting his trade and working as a producer, Swift moved back to Orange County, California and began playing in the Christian rock band Starflyer 59, creating Beach Boys-tinged music as a showcase for his ever improving keyboard skills. Swift finally released his debut album Walking Without Effort in 2002, on indie imprint Velvet Blue, although it was very difficult to get hold of owing to limited production numbers. 2003 saw the release of The Novelist, again on Velvet Blue; the haunting title track was particularly notable with Swift singing "I am New York, tired and weak" over an off-kilter piano arrangement, influences of Tom Waits and Bob Dylan shining through. It took another two years before Swift gained widespread distribution of both albums under the guise of The Richard Swift Collection Volume One on Indiana-based label Secretly Canadian, also home to Antony And The Johnsons and the Earlies. Also in 2005 Swift released Instruments Of Science And Technology, the self-titled debut by his ambient electronic side project. The album demonstrated a versatile and gregarious interest in different forms of music.
Listen to Richard Swift
at Finetune.
Albums
Top Tracks
- The Songs Of National Freedom
- Kisses For The Misses
- As I Go (Walking Without Effort)
- Dressed Up For The Letdown
- Buildings Of America
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