Richard Swift (musician)

For the American composer and music theorist, see Richard Swift (composer).

Richard Swift
Swift at the mac, Birmingham, England, in 2007
Swift at the mac, Birmingham, England, in 2007
Background information
Born(1977-03-16)March 16, 1977
California, U.S.
DiedJuly 3, 2018(2018-07-03) (aged 41)
Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Genres
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • bass guitar
  • vocals
  • keyboards
  • drums
Years active2000–2018
Labels
Websiterichardswift.us

Richard Swift (born Ricardo Ochoa; March 16, 1977 – July 3, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and short-film maker. He was the founder, owner, and recording engineer of National Freedom, a recording studio located in Oregon,[1] and worked as producer, collaborator, muse and influencer for acts including the Shins, Damien Jurado, David Bazan (of Pedro the Lion), Foxygen, Jessie Baylin, Nathaniel Rateliff, Lucius, Lonnie Holley, the Mynabirds, Wake Owl, Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab, Gardens & Villa, Cayucas, Fleet Foxes, Mango Safari and Guster.[2][3][4] Swift was a former member of Starflyer 59, the Shins, and the Arcs.[5] He was also a part of the Black Keys' live band during their 2014–2015 tour, performing as their touring bassist and backing singer.

  1. ^ Lannamann, Ned (July 3, 2018). "Oregon Musician and Producer Richard Swift Has Died". The Stranger. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  2. ^ Benson, Thor (December 4, 2013). "A Whiskey-Soaked Interview with Richard Swift". Noisey. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  3. ^ Benson, Thor (July 3, 2018). "Richard Swift Is Gone, But His Songs Are Still Here". The Daily Beast. Retrieved July 4, 2018. Over the years I've met countless musicians who worked with Swift or encountered him in numerous ways. The way they described him always felt like they were describing a mystical figure or a muse who had forever changed them.
  4. ^ Aswad, Jem (July 3, 2018). "Richard Swift, Singer-Songwriter and Black Keys Collaborator, Dies at 41". Variety. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  5. ^ Nelson, Phil (April 18, 2016). "Richard Swift's Sprawling Musical World". 1859. Retrieved July 3, 2018.