Richard Walters
Richard Walters is ready to release his super delightful single, True Love Will Find You In The End, as well as a glorious debut album The Animal, later this year.
But before he is thrust into the dazzling lights of celebdom, we caught up with Richard for a little chat.
Hello there, how are things going in your lovely world?
Everything is good, I'm very happy with the world right now.
To anyone who hasn’t heard of you yet, how would you describe your sound?
Its like the end of a party, in a good way...everyone's in the garden, 6am, the suns coming up, birds are singing, you've got that fuzzy warm feeling before the hangover sets in.
Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind your new record…
I wrote the record over a three or four year period, which was bit bumpy for various reasons - matters of the heart, illness, pure bad luck...and I came to record it at a real turning point for me personally...its like an account of a stormy crossing, written on dry land.
If you were going to give us just one song of yours to listen to so that you would become our new favourite singer, what would it be?
There's a song on the album called 'Weather song' which I think gives you the perfect opening to the rest of the record - it explains what to expect. If I'm allowed to have a favourite song on my own Cd, thats it.
And can you sum up your good self in just five words?
Awful at questions like this
You know we’re having a bit of an economic crisis here at the moment, if people wanted to spend their last £10 on a CD this weekend, why should they buy yours?
It'll ease minds and worries, its very gentle and swelling...it will put people in a place far away from Gordon Brown and money, or lack of money.
What three bands would you have to headline your dream festival?
If death, arguments and incapability are not issues...The Doors on the Friday night, with just enough Jim Morrison antics to make it historic but not enough to ruin the gig. The Smashing Pumpkins playing Siamese Dream, the original line-up, free of the blown up egos and pretensions. Sunday night...I'd love to see Curtis Mayfield.
What has been your favourite musical memory to date?
Recording the title track for the album, 'The Animal', I was very lucky to have the cellist Izzi Dunn record a part. It was just amazing to watch her feel her way through the song and find her place, I was utterly floored by what she brought to the song.
Who do you think is the greatest artist around at the moment?
Bon Iver is pretty incredible for the young team, but Leonard Cohen is still the captain...watching him at Glastonbury last year was so moving, a real life changing moment for me, simply because I never thought I'd get to see him play live.
If you could only listen to one CD for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ohhh so difficult...maybe 'Dummy' by Portishead. I haven't gotten bored of that record yet, so chances are it could last me another 20 years. Its so intricate and brave, I never get bored of those songs.
Okay, now we want to ask you some random questions;
Name an experience which features an animal that you will never forget.
I was attacked by a pheasant when I was 7. We were at a garden centre and it just landed on my head and dug its talons in. I'm sure I drove the poor thing to it. I looked a bit like Carrie, blood running down my face, screaming. I am as a result terrified of big birds and garden centres.
What one thing did you always want as a child but never get?
I wanted a keytar so so so much. I thought they looked like the greatest musical instrument in the world. My parents refused and bought an upright piano instead. In hindsight it worked out well, but at the time I just couldn't understand it.
FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison