Pigeon Spins Featuring an Interview with Richard

Richard - arrival

All parts of this project reflect a giant transition going on around life hence the name. It explores the themes of ambiguity, values being challenged, and learning how to embrace newfound success.

Rapper, Singer, songwriter, Richard is setting out to prove that lyricism and subject matter can still produce great music. Richard says, “I want to prove that songs about actual life issues and lessons can be just a big as a viral song".

Richard began writing music at the age of six, but recently decided to pursue his dream of being a musician full time. After completing his primary academic goal of getting a master’s degree, Richard is now hoping to capture the attention of a wide array of fans with sounds that range from electro music to rap.

Richard brings forth effortless delivery of amazing vocal dexterity, punch lines and soulful notes that connects with people from all walks of life. In 2021. Richard release his fist full length album “Diary.” The debut single for the album was “Unstable”, for which he states, “This song serves as a representation of like how quickly things can change in life via death, conflict, etc, which is why the beat undergoes a very sudden change to kind of reference that. Last year has seen sudden change amidst a pandemic hence the name and lyrics being so broad going from sensual to a very serious tone.”

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An immersive sonic journey blending raw emotion, bold visuals, and genre-defying soundscapes capturing the essence of life transitions.

Rising artist Richard is proud to announce the release of his first multi song project in three years titled, "arrival", a bold and unapologetic statement of creative/personal evolution. With a unique fusion of hip-hop and alt-pop, arrival delivers a visceral listening experience that captures Richard’s signature blend of lyrical depth and melodic storytelling.

The EP features 5 tracks, each exploring themes of resilience, self-discovery, love, and rebellion anchored by Richard’s dynamic vocal performance and cutting-edge production from the likes of KeepinitKrill and Arch Guru to name a few. From the anthemic opener paying homage to his personal relationships to the introspective finale, arrival invites listeners into a world where vulnerability meets swagger.

“This project is a reflection of where I am right now—creatively, emotionally, spiritually,” says Richard. “Every track is a snapshot of a moment/mood I have experienced these last couple of years navigating all of the positive and negative shifts in my life”.

Richard is also embarking on a second headlining national fall tour of the US to accompany the release starting in Portland, OR and ending in Long Beach, CA. arrival EP is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. Fans and new listeners alike are invited to experience the EP and join Richard on this next chapter of his artistic journey.

Interview with Richard

(•)> What inspired the themes of ambiguity, shifting values, and newfound success in this project?

I had a lot of changes in my life during the creation of this project and I wanted a time capsule to help capture the essence of change.

(•)> How do you balance lyricism and meaningful subject matter with broad audience appeal?

I am not sure, I think that is why it takes me so long to record, finding that balance is always difficult, sometimes I do not aim for lyricism sometimes I look at certain songs such as a diary entry.

(•)> How has your musical journey, beginning at age six, shaped your current sound?

It does deeply, I listen to so many things so a lot of my material bounces around. It has made me very unpredictable.

(•)> How did completing your master’s degree influence your approach to pursuing music full time?

It was sort of a promise I made to myself a long time ago. I knew I wanted to do two things, get my masters and pursue music. I had seen so much in my life as far as people not living up to their full potential so I did not want to follow suit.

(•)> Can you describe the creative process behind your debut album “Diary” and its lead single “Unstable”?

Diary was a culmination of all of my life experiences I had in my life up until that point. To my earlier point, I was so focused on my academics that I just wrote and never recorded, when I finally did I wanted to be able to give my full focus. Diary is everything that had happened to me up until that point across my whole life. Kind of a words never spoken type of situation. As far as Unstable, that song was the last song to be recorded for the album actually because my brother died in the middle of the creation of the album and I wanted something to reflect that. That is why the song switches so fast, it reflects how quickly things can change.

(•)> How has your collaboration with Ryan Ethos on the experimental trip hop EP expanded your musical style?

Me and Ryan's collab EP shaped me in a major way, there was a confidence on that record I had never had before on others ones and I found my stride. I dont think I have lost it since.

(•)> How has relocating to the greater Seattle area influenced your music or creative perspective?

Seattle is not a very hip hop city, as a result, I have been around a lot of instrumentalists and singers since I have been here. As a result, I feel like I have been making music that aligns more with singing rather than rapping which is why a song like Tour came about.

(•)> What are the key lessons or messages you hope listeners take from your songs?

Be confident and be different. Simple. A lot of my lyrics take a bold approach on everyday issues.

(•)> Looking ahead to your first headlining tour, how do you plan to bring your recorded music to life on stage?

I just finished my second headlining tour, still surreal I get to travel the country.

(•)> That's all, Folks! Check out Richard  on the Pigeon Spins Playlist