LOS ANGELES | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE

Richard E is an American (L.A.) based composer/producer for recording artist Annabel (lee). In November 2023 he talked about being brought up in North East England and watching bands at Newcastle City Hall.

“I still miss the people, pubs and beautiful countryside of the North East!” said Richard (link to interview below).

He also talked about his solo album featuring David J, founding member and bassist with UK post-punk masters Bauhaus. David J appears on four songs including stand out track Satellite Night “he got the vibe spot on” and Mike Garson (David Bowie’s pianist) on The Great Showing.

If you haven’t heard Bauhaus why not tune in to feel the apocalyptic power of ‘In the Flat Field’ with vocalist Pete Murphy spitting lyrics like Leonard Cohen on speed.

I first heard Bauhaus in 1984 after loaning their album from the sound and vision department of my local library. From that day on music tastes entered a dark and enigmatic phase, but let’s get back to the solo album Richard released in 2023….

“Opening Scene’ in the cinematic/theatrical sense felt right for the title of my first solo album, where I begin to tell my own story. The phrase also conjures up the idea of a society that is becoming wiser and more enlightened” explained Richard.

After the release a number of positive reviews from mags and webzines dropped into Richard’s inbox….

“It’s doing quite well, I just found out the album has entered the NACC (North American College & Community Radio) Top 200 Chart at #164!” added Richard.

Echoes and Dust said “Richard E comes up with nine coherent, fluid musical pieces that have so much to offer. Eventually, with Opening Scene Richard E created an album that promises so much more to come.”

This from RocDaFuqOut… “Through his post-punk roots and contemporary sounds and influences, Richard E has created his own masterfully introspective pandemic record. A seamless and effortlessly fluid record that blends rock, post punk, electronica, and psychedelic influences into one harmonious whole.”

First single ‘To the Moon’ put a shine on the album.

Click Roll Boom said…“Psychedelic and transfixing, ‘To the Moon’ immerses the listener in a dreamy, hypnotic soundscape. A truly mesmerizing auditory journey, featuring soft, gentle guitars, subtly percussive drums, well-placed keys that add a sparkling touch, and occasional electrifying, yet still tranquil, moments”

Pan M 360 said…“The track feels a bit like the more exploratory work of The Beatles but under a more new wave lens. A love letter to chilled-out psychedelia”.

Richard added…“I hope the album creates enough interest for the live band to be booked for some serious gigs. I’m really looking forward to presenting the songs live! I’ve got an amazing group of musicians on board, including guitarist Eric Klerks from the Captain Beefheart Magic Band, and jazz guitarist Jon Dalton, who started out playing rock music”.

For further info contact >

https://furtherout.bandcamp.com/album/opening-scene

‘Opening Scene’ album stream and buy links > https://kud.li/FUR017

interview from November 2023 >

TO THE MOON with L.A. composer/producer Richard E | ALIKIVI UK : NORTH EAST CULTURE (garyalikivi.com)

Alikivi February 2024

“I’ve been living in Los Angeles since 2010 after marrying my LA woman, Sheila. I was born in Yorkshire but from the age of 10 grew up in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. Then went to art college in Newcastle where I spent a good portion of my grant on seeing as many bands as I could at the City Hall”.

***Richard E, Newcastle City Hall tickets.***

“1979 was a great year for me. Finally getting out of small town Newton Aycliffe to live in Newcastle for a year doing a foundation course in art and design. I just dived right into the music scene and saw as many bands as I could”.

“Penetration I loved, Pauline was my punk crush! And they were local heroes who lived in a town 5 miles down the road. Roxy Music were supported by a band called The Tourists featuring a certain Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox! “

“The Jam were the only band to force security to let the kids actually dance in the aisles. They were usually very strict at the City Hall, but Weller took them on, mid set, and somehow made it happen”.

“I wish Punilux had done more. I bought Puppet Life when it came out. I included it in one of my recent radio shows, it still sounds so fresh. I also got to be at an epic concert that year that wasn’t in Newcastle. Led Zeppelin at Knebworth!”

Richard is composer/producer for award winning band Annabel (lee), which he created with his American wife, singer, lyricist and composer Sheila Ellis.

Their debut album released in 2015 on Ninja Tune Records won the UK’s Dead Albatross Music Prize, chosen from over 700 releases in the UK and Eire.

“During lockdown I had the time to record my first solo album harking back to my roots fronting a post punk, indie rock band in London in the late 80s” said Richard.

***Hoochmongers press shot*** ***1990.***

“I was moved to start writing my own songs again to express my discontent with world events over the past few years, encompassing rock, post punk, electronic and psychedelic influences”.

“The album features bass guitar on four tracks by David J ex- Bauhaus / Love & Rockets who became a friend after hearing a track by Annabel (lee) on LA’s independent radio station KCRW. I was also lucky enough to get David Bowie’s pianist Mike Garson to play on The Great Showing.”

Richard added “The video for my debut solo single was officially released on November 17th. Some people have said it has a Floydian vibe, and I felt myself once it was finished it made me think of George Harrison jamming with the Floyd”.

“ Jon Dalton, who you have previously interviewed on this site plays on the track and will be in my live band. I’m also producing his new album. Jon can be seen in the video playing his spacey guitar part in a very interesting way!”

Richard E – To The Moon

Contact >

https://annabel-lee.bandcamp.com/album/if-music-presents-by-the-sea-and-other-solitary-places

Alikivi November 2023