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Richard Swift (born Ricardo Sigilfredo Olivarez Swift-Ochoa) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and short-film maker.

[edit] Biography

Swift began performing and singing in Quaker churches around the age of fourteen and began writing and recording his material at home not long after. His first album, released in 2000, was an eponymous one under the name "Dicky Ochoa", followed by another eponymous record under the name "Company". In 2001, Swift moved to Southern California to pursue his solo recording career. He recorded Walking Without Effort but, unhappy with the record, shelved it. In 2002–03 Swift recorded The Novelist, selling home-made copies at shows in and around Los Angeles. Later in the year he went on to release a small pressing of "properly manufactured" versions via Velvet Blue Music. In 2004, Swift combined The Novelist and Walking Without Effort to create the double-disc The Richard Swift Collection Vol. 1. He signed to indie label Secretly Canadian, who then re-released the Collection in 2005. After touring in the US and Europe and releasing half a dozen 45s/EPs, UK major label Polydor signed Swift, and yet again the double disc was re-released in hopes of introducing Swift to the UK. In 2007, Polydor/Secretly Canadian issued his proper follow-up "Dressed Up For the Letdown". Fans and critics praised the record as Swift's greatest work to date. Later in the year Swift met Wilco-frontman Jeff Tweedy during a taping of the BBC program "Later...with Jools Holland". Tweedy asked Swift to support Wilco on their Sky Blue Sky US tour. During the tour Tweedy invited Swift to record at their Loft in Chicago, IL. In October 2007, Swift started his 4th LP at the Wilco Loft. The year ended with Richard canceling a string of November shows with friends Cold War Kids due to a wrist injury. In late February 2008 the Secretly Canadian website announced the future release of a double EP named "Richard Swift As Onasis". This album was released on 04/08/08. In August of 2008, Swift released an EP entitled "Ground Trouble Jaw" as a digital download. In April of 2009, Secretly Canadian released "The Atlantic Ocean" which saw the return of Swift's pop-centric song writing. The album featured special guests such as Pat Sansone (Wilco), Casey Foubert (Sufjan Stevens, Crystal Skulls), Sean Lennon, producer Mark Ronson, and singer/songwriter Ryan Adams.

He was a keyboardist in the band Starflyer 59 for most of 2003, and currently fronts his own ambient-electronic-outfit-side-project, Instruments of Science and Technology.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

• Library Catalog Music Series: Music for Paradise Armor - Released under the name Instruments of Science & Technology (2010)
• The Atlantic Ocean (2009)
• Richard Swift As Onasis - US (2008)
• Music From the Films of R/Swift - Released under the name Instruments of Science & Technology - US (2008)
• Dressed Up for the Letdown - US & UK (2007)
• The Novelist - US (2005)
• Walking Without Effort - US (2005)
• Company - Released under the name Company - US (2002)
• Dicky Ochoa - Released under the name Dicky Ochoa - US (2000)

[edit] EPs and Singles

• 3" CD EP as a part of the Laminar Excursion Monthly - US (2010)
• Ground Trouble Jaw - Digital (2008)
• The Songs of National Freedom - UK (2007)
• Kisses for the Misses - UK (2007)
• Beautifulheart - UK (2006)
• Nothing to Do with Foxy Boxing - US (2005)
• P.S. It All Falls Down - US (2005)
• You're Lying - US (2004)
• Buildings in America - US (2004)
• The Novelist - US (2003)

[edit] Box Sets

• The Richard Swift Collection, Volume 1: The Novelist / Walking Without Effort - US (2005), UK (18/09/06)

[edit] External links

• Official Site
• MySpace Page
• Secretly Canadian