*THIS IS NOT RICHARD YOUNGS. THIS IS MAINTAINED BY A FAN.*
Richard Youngs is a highly prolific and diverse musician. Born in Harpenden, England and based in Glasgow since the early '90's, his extensive back catalogue of solo and collaborative work began in 1990 with Advent. His music demonstrates a very idiosyncratic writing style, with songs often centered around a small clutch of repeated musical and lyrical phrases, a strategy likely born of a desire to reduce the form to its most powerful core elements.
It could be suggested his musical styles range from acoustic to indie style folk to progressive rock to improvisation to space rock with creditation of electronics. Whilst early works were characterized by a somewhat minimalist lo-fi production quality, Youngs has since graduated to using a professional standard computer-based recording system.
Throughout his career, he has recorded for over a dozen independent record labels, with VHF releasing much of his collaborative work and Jagjaguwar issuing the lion's share of his recent solo albums. Other labels have included Freek, Fourth Dimension, Majora, Fusetron, Table of the Elements and his own label, the self-deprecatingly named No Fans Records. He has composed collaboratively with the likes of Matthew Bower, Brian Lavelle, Neil Campbell, Stephen Todd, Makoto Kawabata, Alex Neilson, Andrew Paine (both under their given names and as prog-revivalists Ilk), Telstar Ponies, and most extensively with Simon Wickham-Smith, their releases occasionally being issued under the obtuse moniker R!!!S!!!. He has performed live with Vibracathedral Orchestra, Sunroof! and Skullflower and was also a member of the collective A Band, appearing on many of their releases.
Recently, Youngs has been gaining attention from his recent live sideman gigs as bassist for the notoriously reclusive American avant-folk/blues singer/songwriter Jandek. Youngs can be heard on the Glasgow Sunday, Newcastle Sunday and Glasgow Monday albums, which were recorded at Jandek's first 3 known live performances, taking place in Glasgow on 17th October 2004, in Gateshead on 22nd May 2005 and in Glasgow on 23rd May 2005 respectively. His most recent solo album The Naïve Shaman saw him receive some of the most positive reviews of his career to date and appear on the front cover of The Wire. He has since released his first collaboration with Simon Wickham-Smith in 5 years - the aptly titled 5 Years - as well as issuing several duo sets with Andrew Paine and reviving his No Fans imprint for a series of privately pressed solo releases.
Support from
Brittle Hammer Trio
Retail Unit
Lin Zhang Vs Eaten By Children Friday 20th November, Stills Gallery, Cockburn St. Edinburgh. 7pm doors – first act on shortly after! £5 entry.
Matey! Can you upload something from Ilk's Canticle album?...even the opening track would be quite nice. I admire all of Youngs' work but have a big soft spot for Canticle right now. Thanks! -Phil's Phrend!
...BEAUTIFUL ACOUSTIC SET yesterday night in Venice: Richard played one premiere of an acoustic version of "Summer's Edge" almost improvised... I requested and obtained an encore with his toy accordion! - a.m.
