John Richards (musician)
Encyclopedia
John Stephen Richards is a musician and composer working in the field of electronic music
. Since 1999, he has predominantly explored performing with self-made instruments and creating interactive environments for composition.
In the mid 1990s, Richards’ works began to be recognised amongst the electroacoustic
community. He received a mention at the Institut International de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges in 1997, and in the same year had a work performed at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
. In 1996, along with Nick Fells, Dylan Menzies, Gabriel Prokofiev
, and Timothy Ward, Richards formed nerve8: an experimental sound diffusion group.
Richards’ work with the post-punk
group Sand (Soul Jazz Records
) and kREEPA
has also received international recognition. kREEPA was formed in 2000 with Hilary Jeffery, who Richards met at Dartington International Summer School in 1990. Key contributors to the work of kREEPA have been British saxophonist Paul Dunmall
and contra-bass recorder player Cesar Villavicencio. Since 2004, the group has also worked closely with Nicholas Bullen
(founder member of Napalm Death
and Scorn
), and have released material on Bullen’s label Monium. Whilst working with kREEPA, Richards developed the kreepback instrument: an assemblage of self-built sound generating devices and discarded analogue audio hardware patched together to create a feedback labyrinth. His connection with Gabriel Prokofiev
has continued, and he released in different guises pieces on Prokofiev’s nonclassical
label, the most notable of these being a work for piano and electronics performed by GéNIA
with re-mixes by Vex'd
and Max De Wardener amongst others.
John Richards coined the terms dirty electronics and punktronics to describe an approach within electronic music that shirks working with corporate technology and virtualness and focuses on a do-it-yourself ethos, found objects and the physical in relation to the human body. Richards also began to explore these ideas through workshops and performances. In 2003, he formed the Dirty Electronics Ensemble, a large group that is often made-up of workshop participants where making things and performances are intrinsically linked. The group have performed specially commissioned pieces by Merzbow
, Pauline Oliveros
, Howard Skempton
(founder member of the Scratch Orchestra
), Gabriel Prokofiev
and Nicholas Bullen
(ex-Napalm Death
and Scorn
). Other notable collaborations have included working with Rolf Gehlhaar
(original Stockhausen group), Chris Carter
from Throbbing Gristle
, Keith Rowe
and STEIM
(Amsterdam). As Dirty Electronics, Richards has explored the intersection between artwork/copper etching and printed circuit board in a number of touch instruments. In 2011, Dirty Electronics collaborated with graphic designer Adrian Shaughnessy to create a specially commissioned hand-held synth for Mute Records
. Dirty Electronics workshops and performances have taken place internationally including Japan, United States, Europe and Australia.
John Richards studied at Dartington College of Arts
and the University of York
where he completed a PhD in electroacoustic music in 2002. In 1999, he joined Andrew Hugill
and Leigh Landy
as part of the Music, Technology and Innovation Research Group, now MTIRC, at De Montfort University
where he helped initiate the Music, Technology and Innovation, and Music, Technology and Performance degrees. He has written a number of academic papers and articles on contemporary electronic music that in particular cover postdigital
theory, new modes of performance and hybridity
.
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
. Since 1999, he has predominantly explored performing with self-made instruments and creating interactive environments for composition.
In the mid 1990s, Richards’ works began to be recognised amongst the electroacoustic
Electroacoustic music
Electroacoustic music originated in Western art music during its modern era following the incorporation of electric sound production into compositional practice. The initial developments in electroacoustic music composition during the mid-20th century are associated with the activities of composers...
community. He received a mention at the Institut International de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges in 1997, and in the same year had a work performed at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
The Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival is held in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. It has a repertoire of cutting-edge jazz, orchestral, choral and electroacoustic performances, along with film, dance and music theatre...
. In 1996, along with Nick Fells, Dylan Menzies, Gabriel Prokofiev
Gabriel Prokofiev
Gabriel Prokofiev is a composer and record producer based in England. He was born to an English mother and Russian father, and is the grandson of Sergei Prokofiev...
, and Timothy Ward, Richards formed nerve8: an experimental sound diffusion group.
Richards’ work with the post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
group Sand (Soul Jazz Records
Soul Jazz Records
Soul Jazz Records is a British-based record label. The label started in the 1990s, releasing compilation albums of predominantly black music, including reggae, soul, ska, Dub and jazz...
) and kREEPA
KREEPA
kREEPA are a group that perform electronic music and musical improvisation founded by John Richards and Hilary Jeffery in 2000. The group performs a type of industrial jazz and electro-noise.-Career:...
has also received international recognition. kREEPA was formed in 2000 with Hilary Jeffery, who Richards met at Dartington International Summer School in 1990. Key contributors to the work of kREEPA have been British saxophonist Paul Dunmall
Paul Dunmall
Paul Dunmall is a British jazz saxophonist who plays tenor and soprano saxophone as well as the baritone and the more exotic Saxello and the Northumbrian pipes.He has a long discography on the Duns Limited Edition label....
and contra-bass recorder player Cesar Villavicencio. Since 2004, the group has also worked closely with Nicholas Bullen
Nicholas Bullen
-Biography:He is one of the founding members - with Miles Ratledge - of Napalm Death, the band credited with creating the Grindcore genre.The duo had collaborated on fanzines and played together in a number of 'bedroom' bands from 1980 onwards and formed the first line-up of Napalm Death in May...
(founder member of Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
and Scorn
Scorn
Scorn is a feeling of contempt or disdain for something or somebody; to despise.Scorn may also refer to:Music* Scorn * Scorn of the Women, an album by Weddings Parties Anything* Scorn Defeat, an album by Sigh...
), and have released material on Bullen’s label Monium. Whilst working with kREEPA, Richards developed the kreepback instrument: an assemblage of self-built sound generating devices and discarded analogue audio hardware patched together to create a feedback labyrinth. His connection with Gabriel Prokofiev
Gabriel Prokofiev
Gabriel Prokofiev is a composer and record producer based in England. He was born to an English mother and Russian father, and is the grandson of Sergei Prokofiev...
has continued, and he released in different guises pieces on Prokofiev’s nonclassical
Nonclassical
Nonclassical is an independent record label and club-night founded in 2003 by the composer Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of Sergei Prokofiev.The name 'Nonclassical' is derived from the label's approach to classical music...
label, the most notable of these being a work for piano and electronics performed by GéNIA
Génia
GéNIA is a London-based Russian virtuoso concert pianist. She was born in the former Soviet republic of Ukraine into a family of musicians and scientists...
with re-mixes by Vex'd
Vex'd
Vex'd are a British Dubstep duo signed to Planet Mu Records consisting of Jamie Teasdale and Roly Porter. As of 2010 they have released 2 full albums, as well as several EPs and singles.-Singles:* "Function" * "Lion/Ghost"...
and Max De Wardener amongst others.
John Richards coined the terms dirty electronics and punktronics to describe an approach within electronic music that shirks working with corporate technology and virtualness and focuses on a do-it-yourself ethos, found objects and the physical in relation to the human body. Richards also began to explore these ideas through workshops and performances. In 2003, he formed the Dirty Electronics Ensemble, a large group that is often made-up of workshop participants where making things and performances are intrinsically linked. The group have performed specially commissioned pieces by Merzbow
Merzbow
is the main recording name of the Japanese noise musician , born in 1956. Since 1979 he has released in excess of 350 recordings.The name "Merzbow" comes from German artist Kurt Schwitters' artwork, "Merzbau”. This was chosen to reflect Akita's dada influence and junk art aesthetic...
, Pauline Oliveros
Pauline Oliveros
Pauline Oliveros is an American accordionist and composer who is a central figure in the development of post-war electronic art music....
, Howard Skempton
Howard Skempton
Howard Skempton is a British composer and accordionist. Since the late 1960s, when he helped organize the Scratch Orchestra, he has been associated with the English school of experimental music...
(founder member of the Scratch Orchestra
Scratch Orchestra
The Scratch Orchestra was an experimental musical ensemble founded in the spring of 1969 by Cornelius Cardew, Michael Parsons and Howard Skempton....
), Gabriel Prokofiev
Gabriel Prokofiev
Gabriel Prokofiev is a composer and record producer based in England. He was born to an English mother and Russian father, and is the grandson of Sergei Prokofiev...
and Nicholas Bullen
Nicholas Bullen
-Biography:He is one of the founding members - with Miles Ratledge - of Napalm Death, the band credited with creating the Grindcore genre.The duo had collaborated on fanzines and played together in a number of 'bedroom' bands from 1980 onwards and formed the first line-up of Napalm Death in May...
(ex-Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
and Scorn
Scorn
Scorn is a feeling of contempt or disdain for something or somebody; to despise.Scorn may also refer to:Music* Scorn * Scorn of the Women, an album by Weddings Parties Anything* Scorn Defeat, an album by Sigh...
). Other notable collaborations have included working with Rolf Gehlhaar
Rolf Gehlhaar
Rolf Gehlhaar in Breslau , is an American composer.Gehlhaar is the son of a German rocket scientist, who emigrated to the United States in 1953 to work at a rocket-development research centre in New Mexico...
(original Stockhausen group), Chris Carter
Chris Carter
-Sports:* Cris Carter , former American football All-Pro wide receiver* Chris Carter , British middle distance runner* Chris Carter , American hurdler...
from Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle
Throbbing Gristle were an English industrial, avant-garde music and visual arts group that evolved from the performance art group COUM Transmissions...
, Keith Rowe
Keith Rowe
Keith Rowe is an English free improvisation tabletop guitarist and painter. Rowe is a founding member of both the hugely influential AMM in the mid-1960s and M.I.M.E.O. Having trained as a visual artist, Rowe's paintings have been featured on most of his own albums...
and STEIM
STEIM
STEIM is a center for research and development of new musical instruments in the electronic performing arts, located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Electronic music in STEIM's context is always strongly related to the physical and direct actions of a musician...
(Amsterdam). As Dirty Electronics, Richards has explored the intersection between artwork/copper etching and printed circuit board in a number of touch instruments. In 2011, Dirty Electronics collaborated with graphic designer Adrian Shaughnessy to create a specially commissioned hand-held synth for Mute Records
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
. Dirty Electronics workshops and performances have taken place internationally including Japan, United States, Europe and Australia.
John Richards studied at Dartington College of Arts
Dartington College of Arts
Dartington College of Arts was a specialist arts institution near Totnes, Devon, South West England, it specialized in post-dramatic theatre, music, choreography, Performance Writing and visual performance, focusing on a performative and multi-disciplinary approach to the arts. In addition to this,...
and the University of York
University of York
The University of York , is an academic institution located in the city of York, England. Established in 1963, the campus university has expanded to more than thirty departments and centres, covering a wide range of subjects...
where he completed a PhD in electroacoustic music in 2002. In 1999, he joined Andrew Hugill
Andrew Hugill
Andrew Hugill is a British composer, performer, writer, professor and researcher.-Biography:Andrew Hugill studied composition with Roger Marsh at the University of Keele between 1976 and 1980, and in 1983 he founded the ensemble "George W. Welch"...
and Leigh Landy
Leigh Landy
Leigh Landy is a composer and musicologist of Dutch and American citizenship. He holds a Research Chair at De Montfort University where he directs the Music, Technology and Innovation Research Centre....
as part of the Music, Technology and Innovation Research Group, now MTIRC, at De Montfort University
De Montfort University
De Montfort University is a public research and teaching university situated in the medieval Old Town of Leicester, England, adjacent to the River Soar and the Leicester Castle Gardens...
where he helped initiate the Music, Technology and Innovation, and Music, Technology and Performance degrees. He has written a number of academic papers and articles on contemporary electronic music that in particular cover postdigital
Postdigital
Postdigital is a term which has recently come into use in the discourse of digital artistic practice. This term points significantly to our rapidly changed and changing relationships with digital technologies and art forms. It points to an attitude that is more concerned with being human, than with...
theory, new modes of performance and hybridity
Hybridity
Hybridity refers in its most basic sense to mixture. The term originates from biology and was subsequently employed in linguistics and in racial theory in the nineteenth century. Its contemporary uses are scattered across numerous academic disciplines and is salient in popular culture...
.
External links
- www.jsrichards.com John Richards website
- www.dirtyelectronics.org Dirty Electronics website
- www.souljazzrecords.co.uk Sand releases
- www.mute.com Mute Synth
- www.nonclassical.co.uk nonclassical records
- www.mti.dmu.ac.uk MTIRC, De Montfort University, Leicester