Introducing... Oliver Richards

A lot of hard work can get someone far in life, and this philosophy has slowly but surely allowed local singer-songwriter Oliver Richards to begin breaking out into a broader music scene. His efforts in Aberdeen include the organisation of a fair few of the city’s acoustic sets and open mic nights, at which he has often been part of the bill alongside other local talent. These events have led to Richards deservedly becoming more well-known throughout Aberdeen’s music scene, as well as to a wider audience.

Richards began writing music at the young age of fifteen, having grown up in a somewhat musical family, accustomed to using instruments from an early age. Since then he has moved on to play local Aberdeen gigs and stepped it up to support Scottish acts such as Dave Arcari. Possibly one of the biggest achievements in Richards’ career is his being asked to support Midge Ure in 2011 and once again in 2012: experiences he humbly says he was ‘lucky’ to have had.

In addition to these great support roles, Richards has been featured on the radio as “Artist of the Week” on local station Shmu FM, and has had music from his new EP broadcast by DJ Jim Gellatly (“the voice of new music in Scotland”), the man responsible for the first broadcast of great Scottish artists such as KT Tunstall and Twin Atlantic. Hopefully, this tells something of where Richards’ career could be heading next.

Most recently, Richards released his debut EP, Kick and Pull, in July 2012. Within it can be found an enjoyable mix of pop, electro, rock and folk sounds. It is music from this record that led to Richards’ radio attention, so it has been a very important step in his quest to become a nationally recognised artist. The music on Kick and Pull is varied, with the best track and the one to watch being the folksy 19^th July. This is Richards’ own favourite track, and he promises that there is another EP in the pipeline that will lean towards this brilliant folk/rock sound.

All in all, Oliver Richards’ career is becoming more exciting every day. Opportunities to be seen and heard nationally are coming in thick and fast, and one can only hope that if he takes off big-time, he won’t forget his Aberdeen roots!

EW