Um, it's my name.

R I C H has played live for 15 years or more in all kinds of genres: jangly-guitar-pop, musical comedy, retro-rock, crappy-covers-bands and all-orignal or mixed covers-originals bands. Gigs played vary from the all-time low turn-out of 6 (great gig though, actually) to 3,000 at the Dunedin Town Hall in NZ with Neil Finn (formerly of Crowded House).

The most significant change is that it gives me the chance to have my music heard by so many more people than before. Great for the 'little guys,' like me. On the down side it means anybody - any idiot with a hard disk and a sample - can make 'music'. That is, 'little guys' like me.

Yes, but I'm not holding my breath.

'R I C H' as a individual entity has always existed (duh) and has been a strong influence on any group he's been involved with. I've been part of 3 albums.

'Music from the Back Garden' by the Back Garden (independent release in the early 90s, can't remember when exactly). Recorded on 4-track tape in the days before computers made home-recording easy. Seedy, dodgy, supposedly humourous songs about University life.

'Mutton' by Cynthia Should (Yellow Eye Records, NZ). A professionally produced, eclectic selection of la-la-la guitar-pop with the grungy edge of Chris, the lead singer's slept-in-my-clothes-last-night attitude.

'Me for a day' by R I C H. Yes, that's me this time. Available here! A concept album, following a day in the life of a guy, his Che Guevara T-shirt and [i]that[/i] girl. Oh, and a BBQ with his mates that stretches into the night.

R I C H is pretty accessible, I think. Catchy pop-rock, with an emphasis on lyrics and melody, rather than 'look how fast I can play this riff.'

Think Barenaked Ladies, Crowded House/Split Enz, Weezer (though not as heavy) or XTC.

Other influences that you probably won't hear, but who I've listened to a lot over the years: the Beatles (of course), Phish, U2, Cake, Radiohead, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello. Might think of some more later...

Georgetown, Penang Island, Malaysia - a wonderful mix of cultures and amazing food. This has nothing to do with music, though.

Takamine EN-10 acoustic
Fernandes LE-Classic Strat
Ibanez Soundgear Bass
Yamaha DD-50 drum pads
Various shakers, tambourines and bongo-thingies

Seide condenser mic
Behringer pre-amp
AKG d880 dynamic mic

Recorded in Sonar 4, mixed with Sound Forge 8