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Richard Anderson originally hails from Annan in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. For a number of years he was based in Glasgow where he came to the attention of radio producers with his E.P’s ’I’m not getting into conversation and ’Just as I am’. This led to a live session on BBC Radio Scotland’s ’Celtic Connections’ programme.
’Beautiful...Sounds just great’ Mary Ann Kennedy,
BBC Radio Scotland DJ
Richard has been playing solo/acoustically since 2000 when he was a regular face on Glasgow’s open mic circuit. His songs wowed Café Drummond’s Tuesday night audiences as a member of the Glasgow Songwriter’s Club.
Glasgow Songwriter’s ‘Best newcomer’ 2001
King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, The Edge, Stereo, Nice n’ Sleazy’s and the Royal Concert Hall were just some of the venues in Glasgow that Richard went on to perform at along with shows outside of the city at venues such as The Mercat during the Edinburgh Fringe. During this time he opened for names such as JJ Gilmour (as part of the Acoustic Affair), Dean Owens, The Arlenes and Oh Susannah:
‘Set packed full of memorable songs’ Larry Guild,
Glasgow Songwriter’s Magazine
Living in Glasgow Richard was no stranger to television as well as radio. He was asked to play and chat on LTV’s ‘Live at Six’ Show on an unprecedented five occasions during which he had to endure sharing a dressing room with the then Miss UK and receiving a plaudit from an important fellow guest:
‘Excellent’ Jack McConnell, Scottish First Minister
Despite being an inveterate solo/acoustic performer the Annan songsmith’s performing days began playing the guitar in mid-1990’s Glasgow indie oufit ‘The Salad Days’. Formed with singer/lyricist Sheridan and bass player Barry Fratelli, who was to to go on to great success with The Fratelli’s, The Salad Days played a number of shows for Beatbox Promotion’s John McLaughlin who went on to a commercially successful songwriting career and became a‘Fame Academy’ musician-in-residence.
Richard left The Salad Days at the end of 1995 to form Red Shelley where he was the songwriter and frontperson. This was Anderson’s first experience of writing words and singing in public. Red Shelley were formed with experienced musicians who had played with acts such as Martin Stephenson, The Nimmo Brothers and Clear. Despite making a couple of recordings and doing a number of shows on the university circuit the group was disbanded in 1998 as Richard returned to his hometown to regroup.
Rejuventated, armed with a harmonica and bristling with new songs he returned to Glasgow two years later reinvented as an acoustic troubadour. Times were tough as Richard signed up to the New Deal for Musician’s Scheme and was mentored by Stephen Pastel, the frontman with cult Glasgow band The Pastels. Richard was put in touch with The Pearlfisher’s David Scott by Pastel, and Scott to produced the ‘Just as I am’ E.P. which again aroused the attention of radio producers:
‘Very good’ Tom Morton, BBC Radio Scotland DJ
‘This is great’ Davie Scott, BBC Radio Scotland DJ
Returning to Annan at the end of 2003 to complete the material for ‘Songs that chose me’ Richard took some time out of live playing. Commuting up to East Kilbride Arts Centre during winter 05/06’ ‘Songs’ was recorded with David Scott playing and producing and BMX Bandits drummer Stuart Kidd completing the rhythm section. Now living in Cumbria Richard received considerable local press for the release of the album on his own Flint Recordings label. In June 2007 ‘Songs that chose me’ was released on Loose Records after Loose supremo Andrew Titcombe stepped in with a music and publishing deal. That month saw ‘Songs’ being the Beanscene coffee house’s ‘Hot album’ and a tour of Beanscene venues was embarked on in support. There have been a number of successful shows in London this year: 12 Bar Club, Leonards EC1, Camden’s Tommy Flynns as well as opening slot for Peter Bruntnell near Brighton. From his base in Cumbria, Richard has travelled to open for Boo Hewerdine, Michael Chapman, Kirsty McGhie, Kieran Halpin and played at Brampton Live. This writer of truly memorable songs continues to keep to a hectic schedule of playing and was aptly desribed as an
‘itinerant minstrel’ Richard Lakin, Cumberland News.
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