Ritchie

Story

I have been making music as half of the Rec for a few years. We met at school and formed a band, split up, went our separate ways in London and LA, reformed after the internet was invented and the rest is history as they say. The music is here if you would like to hear some of it: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0UCn18XUsGJYNnmjF5pFsb?si=_1dE8f1jQ5-ZrcxvvVkmPg

Profile

Instruments

Genres

Influences

Languages

What is music to you? What does it give you?

It's my happy place and I try to visit it every day. A secret portal where I can escape from all of the bad stuff going on in the world.

What is your music dream?

Continue making music, become more proficient, and hope that the music I make moves people in the same way that I am moved when I listen to other people's music.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

Where to start?? What we have now clearly doesn't work so I would like to see a new political and economic system which benefits everyone, where everyone is genuinely equal, which respects the planet we all live on and the people who live here. Not too much to ask!

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Wild Mountain Thyme. I can remember my Scottish grandmother singing it when I was very young. A bit later on I was delighted to find that the Byrds have done a version of it.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

Too many to name. All of the great artists/musicians from the mid 60s to mid 70s (e.g. the Beatles, the Byrds, the Who, Motown/Stax etc); singer-songwriters like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell etc; punk and post-punk was and still is a huge influence (the Jam, Specials, the Clash etc.); jangly literate 80s guitar music (e.g. REM, Go-Betweens etc.). Even some contemporary stuff (Big Thief, Weyes Blood etc).

What inspires you to make music?

I want to leave something tangible behind for my kids to enjoy so there is still a part of me left after I gone.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

If I can make music anyone can. So go ahead and do it!

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

I don't perform in front of an audience due to anxiety and stage fright.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

I think it's great that the internet has provided an outlet for independent musicians but it is very difficult to get your music heard unless you are willing to spend loads of time and money on promotion and marketing.

What do you think of Drooble?

Great idea - its good to be able to connect with like minded people.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

emails /messages from bogus people and scammers who promise fame and fortune but in reality are just after my money.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

I don't think the bit of London I live in has a 'scene' as such but if it does probably not as much as I should.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Luck I think sadly. There are loads of talented people out there who don't get the exposure they deserve.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

Well obviously my band the Rec: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0UCn18XUsGJYNnmjF5pFsb?si=OnE5nTBNQqS2S5O-S0LtJg. You will have heard of Carole King, but you may not have heard her band the City which made one really great record in the late 60s: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7sGn2EJElyIPoxp6aWVg5O?si=R2a1nKIYQhKq95zppZ4uww Grant Lee Buffalo - should have been huge but weren't grunge enough for the times they existed in: https://open.spotify.com/album/5Pmgla2yq5xYytLXMzfBs2?si=09QBEoagRzSmWtuqJPxizg Mick Head - one of the greatest living English songwriters: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2A4cbjEFrxEhWty486HXh4?si=a39171aa810b47f1 you're welcome!!