Richard Swift (musician)
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Richard Swift (born Ricardo Ochoa; March 16, 1977 – July 3, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and
short-film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...
maker. He was the founder, owner, and recording engineer of National Freedom, a recording studio located in
Oregon Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...
, and worked as producer, collaborator, muse and influencer for acts including
The Shins The Shins is an American indie rock band formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1996. The band is the project of singer-songwriter James Mercer, who has served as the band's sole constant member throughout numerous line-up changes. The band's cu ...
,
Damien Jurado Damien Jurado is an American singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington, United States. Over the years, he has released albums on Sub Pop, Secretly Canadian, Loose, and is currently on his own label Maraqopa Records. Music career Jurado's solo ...
,
David Bazan David Bazan (; born January 22, 1976) is an American indie rock singer-songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona who now resides in Seattle, Washington. Bazan is the lead singer and creative force behind the band Pedro the Lion and was the lead singer ...
(of
Pedro the Lion Pedro the Lion is an American indie rock band from Seattle, Washington, United States. David Bazan formed the band in 1995 and represented its main creative force, backed by a varying rotation of collaborating musicians. In 2006 Pedro the Lion wa ...
),
Foxygen Foxygen is an American indie rock duo from Westlake Village, California, formed in 2005. The band consists of multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Rado and vocalist Sam France. They have released six albums and a number of self-released EPs. History R ...
,
Jessie Baylin Jessica Baldassarre, known as Jessie Baylin, is a Nashville-based singer/songwriter. Career Her album ''Firesight'' was written by Baylin, Jesse Harris, Mike Daly, Mark Goldenberg, Greg Wells and Danny Wilde, and was produced and engineered by ...
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,
Lucius Lucius ( el, Λούκιος ''Loukios''; ett, Luvcie) is a male given name derived from '' Lucius'' (abbreviated ''L.''), one of the small group of common Latin forenames ('' praenomina'') found in the culture of ancient Rome. Lucius derives from ...
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Lonnie Holley Lonnie Bradley Holley (born February 10, 1950) sometimes known as the Sand Man, is an American artist, art educator, and musician. He is best known for his assemblages and immersive environments made of found materials. He was born the 7th of 27 c ...
,
The Mynabirds The Mynabirds are an American indie pop band founded by singer-songwriter and pianist Laura Burhenn, who was previously one half of the Washington, D.C. indie duo Georgie James. Burhenn formed The Mynabirds in 2009, and shortly after signed t ...
,
Wake Owl Wake Owl is an indie pop band based in Vancouver, British Columbia and Portland, Oregon. The band's core members are singer and songwriter Colyn Cameron and multi-instrumentalist Aiden Brant-Briscall. History Following several years of internati ...
,
Laetitia Sadier Laetitia may refer to: Mythology and religion * Laetitia (goddess), a minor Roman goddess of gaiety * One of the 16 geomantic figures, primary symbols used in divinatory geomancy Other uses * Laetitia (given name) * 39 Laetitia, an asteroid ...
of
Stereolab Stereolab are an Anglo- French avant-pop band formed in London in 1990. Led by the songwriting team of Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier, the group's music combines influences from krautrock, lounge and 1960s pop music, often incorporating a repeti ...
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Gardens & Villa Gardens & Villa is an American indie rock band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2008. The band consists of members Chris Lynch (guitar, flute, vocals), Adam Rasmussen (synthesizer), Shane McKillop (bass guitar), Levi Hayden (drums) and ...
,
Cayucas Cayucas, previously Oregon Bike Trails, is an American indie pop band from Santa Monica, California. The group includes Zach Yudin and his twin brother Ben Yudin on guitar. The band signed to Secretly Canadian in 2012. History 2011: Oregon Bike ...
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Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes is an American indie folk band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2006. The band consists of Robin Pecknold (vocals, guitar), Skyler Skjelset (guitar, mandolin, backing vocals), Casey Wescott (keyboards, mandolin, backing vocals), ...
, Mango Safari and
Guster Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel began practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, and ...
. Swift was a former member of indie rock band
The Shins The Shins is an American indie rock band formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1996. The band is the project of singer-songwriter James Mercer, who has served as the band's sole constant member throughout numerous line-up changes. The band's cu ...
and
The Arcs The Arcs are an American garage rock band formed by Dan Auerbach, the guitarist and vocalist of the Black Keys. The band consists of Auerbach, Leon Michels, Nick Movshon, Homer Steinweiss, and formerly Richard Swift, who died in 2018. They rel ...
. He was also a part of
The Black Keys The Black Keys are an American rock duo formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums). The duo began as an independent act, recording music in basements and self-producing their ...
' live band during their 2014–2015 tour, performing as their touring bassist and backing singer.


Early life

Born in California on March 16, 1977 with the name Ricardo Ochoa, into a musical Quaker family, Swift started performing and singing in churches at an early age. In his youth, his family moved frequently, spending time in rural locations in
Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...
,
Utah Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...
, and
Oregon Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...
. As a teenager, he worked at a farm near
International Falls International Falls (sometimes referred to as I-Falls) is a city in and the county seat of Koochiching County, Minnesota. The population was 5,802 at the time of the 2020 census. International Falls is located on the Rainy River directly acro ...
, Minnesota.


Career


Solo

Ricardo "Dicky" Ochoa released his first solo album under the name Dicky Ochoa on Metro One Recordings in 2000. While in 2002 released an album called ''Company with Frank Lenz and Elijah Thomson''. Also in 2002 he was a musician on the Promise Keepers Live Worship album. In 2001, Swift moved to
Southern California Southern California (commonly shortened to SoCal) is a geographic and cultural region that generally comprises the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. It includes the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the second most populous urban a ...
to pursue his solo recording career. That same year, he recorded ''Walking Without Effort,'' an initially unreleased album with drummer and producer
Frank Lenz Frank Lenz (born 18 June 1967 in San Leandro, California) is a drummer from Southern California who has done work for many bands and artists, including Richard Swift, The Weepies, Everest, Pedro The Lion, Starflyer 59, Lassie Foundation, Duralu ...
. He recorded much of his early music on a four-track cassette recorder. From 2002 to 2005, he released four small pressings of "properly manufactured" 7" vinyl singles via
Velvet Blue Music Weave details visible on a purple-colored velvet fabric Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed, with a short pile, giving it a distinctive soft feel. By extension, the word ''velvety'' means ...
. Swift also released ''The Novelist'' in 2003 and ''Walking Without Effort'' (recorded in 2001) in 2005 and combined the two albums to create the double-disc ''The Richard Swift Collection Vol. 1'' released by Leftwing Recordings in August 2004. In December 2003, American
webzine An online magazine is a magazine published on the Internet, through bulletin board systems and other forms of public computer networks. One of the first magazines to convert from a print magazine format to being online only was the computer maga ...
''Somewhere Cold'' voted ''The Novelist EP'' of the Year on their ''2003 Somewhere Cold Awards Hall of Fame'' list, while a year later, in December 2004, they ranked ''The Richard Swift Collection Vol. 1'' No. 5 on their ''2004 Somewhere Cold Awards Hall of Fame'' list. He signed to indie label
Secretly Canadian Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Secretly Canadian is a label included in Secretly Group, which ...
, who then re-released the ''Collection'' in 2005. In 2007, Secretly Canadian and
Polydor Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States ...
issued Swift's proper follow-up album, ''Dressed Up For the Letdown''. Later in the year Swift met
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 changed frequently d ...
frontman Jeff Tweedy during a taping of the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
program '' Later...with Jools Holland''. Tweedy asked Swift to support Wilco on their
Sky Blue Sky ''Sky Blue Sky'' is the sixth studio album by American 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 ...
US tour. During the tour Tweedy invited Swift to record at their Loft studios in Chicago. In October 2007, Swift started his fourth album at the Wilco Loft studios. In April 2008, Secretly Canadian released a double EP named ''Richard Swift As Onasis''. In August 2008, Swift released an EP entitled ''Ground Trouble Jaw'' as a free digital download. In April 2009, Secretly Canadian released ''The Atlantic Ocean.'' Co-produced by
Mark Ronson Mark Daniel Ronson (born 4 September 1975) is a British-American DJ, songwriter, record producer, and record executive. He is best known for his collaborations with artists such as Duran Duran, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Lady Gaga, Lily Allen, R ...
, the album featured special guests such as
Pat Sansone Patrick Anthony "Pat" Sansone (born June 21, 1969) is an American multi-instrumentalist in the rock bands Wilco and The Autumn Defense. Early bands Sansone was born in Meridian, Mississippi. Upon entering college at The University of South ...
, Casey Foubert ( Sufjan Stevens),
Sean Lennon is an American–British musician, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. He is the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and half-brother to Julian Lennon. Over the course of his career, he has been a member of the bands Cibo Matto, The ...
, and
Ryan Adams David Ryan Adams (born November 5, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, artist, and poet. He has released 23 albums, as well as three studio albums as a former member of alt-country band Whiskeytown. In 2000, Adams lef ...
. In 2011, he released another solo EP entitled ''Walt Wolfman''.


Producer and back-up artist

In addition to the music recorded under his own name and producing work, he was also briefly a keyboardist in the band
Starflyer 59 Starflyer 59 is an American 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 h ...
in 2002 and 2003, playing live shows and contributing to their 2003 album '' Old''. He also fronted his own
electronic music Electronic music is a genre of music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments, or circuitry-based music technology in its creation. It includes both music made using electronic and electromechanical means ( electroa ...
side-project, Instruments of Science and Technology. In December 2005, ''Somewhere Cold'' again listed Swift in their year-end list, ranking ''Instruments of Science and Technology'' No. 9 on their ''2005 Somewhere Cold Awards Hall of Fame'' list. Swift also played on multiple Michael Knott albums, CUSH, Kat Jones, Pony Express, Damien Jurado, and worked with Frank Lenz on Frank's solo material. 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 Sly and the Family Stone was an American band from San Francisco. Active from 1966 to 1983, it was pivotal in the development of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic music. Its core line-up was led by singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi- ...
or Beatles LPs, or from watching ''
Sympathy for the Devil "Sympathy for the Devil" is a song by English rock band the Rolling Stones and the opening track from the band's 1968 album ''Beggars Banquet''. The song is a product of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' songwriting partnership. It is consi ...
'' and thinking, 'Oh! That's where they put the mic!'" Swift is known to often provide hefty contributions as a multi-instrumentalist to the albums he produces. In 2009, he began spending more time working with other artists as producer and band member. May 2010 saw the release of fellow
Secretly Canadian Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Secretly Canadian is a label included in Secretly Group, which ...
recording artist
Damien Jurado Damien Jurado is an American singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington, United States. Over the years, he has released albums on Sub Pop, Secretly Canadian, Loose, and is currently on his own label Maraqopa Records. Music career Jurado's solo ...
's record '' Saint Bartlett''. In 2010, Swift also produced
The Mynabirds The Mynabirds are an American indie pop band founded by singer-songwriter and pianist Laura Burhenn, who was previously one half of the Washington, D.C. indie duo Georgie James. Burhenn formed The Mynabirds in 2009, and shortly after signed t ...
' ''
What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood ''What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood'' is the first studio album by the indie pop band The Mynabirds. It was released by Saddle Creek Records on April 27, 2010 and produced by Richard Swift. Track listing All songs written by Laura Bur ...
'' and co-produced
Laetitia Sadier Laetitia may refer to: Mythology and religion * Laetitia (goddess), a minor Roman goddess of gaiety * One of the 16 geomantic figures, primary symbols used in divinatory geomancy Other uses * Laetitia (given name) * 39 Laetitia, an asteroid ...
's album '' The Trip''. He joined
The Shins The Shins is an American indie rock band formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1996. The band is the project of singer-songwriter James Mercer, who has served as the band's sole constant member throughout numerous line-up changes. The band's cu ...
in 2011 and began touring with
The Black Keys The Black Keys are an American rock duo formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums). The duo began as an independent act, recording music in basements and self-producing their ...
as their bassist in 2014. In 2015, he produced the self-titled album for Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats.


Personal life and death

Swift lived in Cottage Grove, Oregon, where he met his wife, Shealynn. They had three children. On June 19, 2018, ''
Pitchfork A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves. The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to ...
'' reported that Swift had been hospitalized in Tacoma,
Washington Washington commonly refers to: * Washington (state), United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A metonym for the federal government of the United States ** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...
, recovering from an undisclosed "life-threatening condition" and that a
GoFundMe GoFundMe is an American for-profit crowdfunding platform that allows people to raise money for events ranging from life events such as celebrations and graduations to challenging circumstances like accidents and illnesses. From 2010 to the be ...
had been set up to help cover his medical expenses. He died on July 3, 2018 in Tacoma. Six days later, Swift's family released a statement confirming that he had suffered from alcohol addiction throughout his life, and that his death was ultimately caused by related "complications from hepatitis, as well as liver and kidney distress."


Discography


As a solo artist


Albums

*''The Novelist'' – US (2003) *''Walking Without Effort'' – US (recorded in 2001, released 2005) *''Dressed Up for the Letdown'' – US & UK (
Secretly Canadian Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Austin, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Secretly Canadian is a label included in Secretly Group, which ...
and
Polydor Polydor Records Ltd. is a German-British record label that operates as part of Universal Music Group. It has a close relationship with Universal's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, which distributes Polydor's releases in the United States ...
, 2007) *''Music From the Films of R/Swift'' – Released under the name Instruments of Science & Technology – US (Secretly Canadian, 2008) *''Richard Swift As Onasis'' – US (Secretly Canadian, 2008) *''The Atlantic Ocean'' (Secretly Canadian, 2009) *''Library Catalog Music Series, Vol. 7: Music for Paradise Armor'' – Released under the name Instruments of Science & Technology (
Asthmatic Kitty Asthmatic Kitty is an American independent record label founded in 1999 by a community of musicians from Holland, Michigan led by Sufjan Stevens and his stepfather Lowell Brams. Some were Holland natives, and others had come to attend local coll ...
, 2010) *''The Hex'' (Secretly Canadian, 2018)


EPs and singles

*''Buildings in America'' (2004) *''You're Lying'' (2004) *''P.S. It All Falls Down'' (2005) *''Nothing to Do with Foxy Boxing'' (2005) *''Beautifulheart'' (2006) *''Kisses for the Misses'' (single, 2007) *''The Songs of National Freedom'' (single, 2007) *''Ground Trouble Jaw'' (2008) *''Lady Luck'' (single, 2009) *''The Atlantic Ocean'' (2009) *''Walt Wolfman'' (2011) *''Kensington'' (2014)


Box-sets

* The Richard Swift Collection, Volume 1: The Novelist / Walking Without Effort – US (2005)


As producer

*
The Mynabirds The Mynabirds are an American indie pop band founded by singer-songwriter and pianist Laura Burhenn, who was previously one half of the Washington, D.C. indie duo Georgie James. Burhenn formed The Mynabirds in 2009, and shortly after signed t ...
– ''
What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood ''What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood'' is the first studio album by the indie pop band The Mynabirds. It was released by Saddle Creek Records on April 27, 2010 and produced by Richard Swift. Track listing All songs written by Laura Bur ...
'' (2010), '' Generals (album)'' (2012) *
Foxygen Foxygen is an American indie rock duo from Westlake Village, California, formed in 2005. The band consists of multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Rado and vocalist Sam France. They have released six albums and a number of self-released EPs. History R ...
– '' We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic'' (2013) * Pure Bathing Culture – Moon Tides (2013) * Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – '' Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats'' (2015), '' Tearing at the Seams'' (2018) *
Damien Jurado Damien Jurado is an American singer-songwriter from Seattle, Washington, United States. Over the years, he has released albums on Sub Pop, Secretly Canadian, Loose, and is currently on his own label Maraqopa Records. Music career Jurado's solo ...
– '' Saint Bartlett'' (2010), ''
Maraqopa ''Maraqopa'' is the tenth studio album by American rock musician Damien Jurado, produced by Richard Swift. It was released on February 21, 2012, on Secretly Canadian Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomingto ...
'' (2012), ''
Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son ''Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son '' is the eleventh studio album by American rock musician Damien Jurado. It was released January 21, 2014, by Secretly Canadian. The album was announced in the middle of October with a short trailer and an ...
'' (2014), ''
Visions of Us on the Land ''Visions of Us on the Land'' is the twelfth studio album by American rock musician Damien Jurado. It was released on March 18, 2016, by Secretly Canadian Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indian ...
'' (2016) *
Guster Guster is an American alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Founding members Adam Gardner, Ryan Miller, and Brian Rosenworcel began practice sessions while attending Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, and ...
– ''
Evermotion ''Evermotion'' is a studio album by the American alternative rock band Guster. It was released on January 13, 2015, on both Ocho Mule, the band's own label, and Nettwerk Records. It was their first album in five years, following '' Easy Wonderful' ...
'' (2015) *
David Bazan David Bazan (; born January 22, 1976) is an American indie rock singer-songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona who now resides in Seattle, Washington. Bazan is the lead singer and creative force behind the band Pedro the Lion and was the lead singer ...
– '' Care'' (2017) *
Born Ruffians Born Ruffians are a Canadian indie rock band based in Toronto. Officially founded in 2004 in the Georgian Bay town of Midland, Ontario, the band is composed of frontman Luke Lalonde, bassist Mitch DeRosier, and drummer Steve Hamelin. During the ...
– '' Uncle, Duke & The Chief'' (2018) *
Matt Hopper Matt Hopper (born 29 January 1985) is a rugby union player for Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership. He primarily plays as a Centre but can also cover Fullback. Hopper started playing mini rugby at age 10 and continued through school and in t ...
– '' Jersey Finger'' (2010) *
Kevin Morby Kevin Robert Morby (born April 2, 1988) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. A former member of Woods and the Babies, Morby has released seven solo studio albums: ''Harlem River'' (2013), '' Still Life'' (2014), ''Singing Saw'' (20 ...
- '' City Music'' (2017)


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Swift, Richard Place of birth missing 1977 births 2018 deaths 21st-century American musicians The Shins members American rock keyboardists Deaths from hepatitis Starflyer 59 members The Arcs members Secretly Canadian artists Polydor Records artists Singer-songwriters from California