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Robin Richards, principal composer in beloved Manchester art-pop band Dutch Uncles, has released his long-awaited debut solo album, Taproots, on PRAH Recordings.Positioning him alongside experimental electronic contemporaries Oneohtrix Point Never, Flying Lotus, Hinako Omori and Djrum et al, the album’s arc includes pieces about self-doubt, positive life changes, fatherhood and a suite of concept pieces about the life cycle of trees.
The album features the single Ossia. What starts with conventional bass guitar, Wurlitzer and drums, gradually expands into a meld of synths, distortions, jungle beats and prepared guitar (played with crocodile clips on the strings).
‘Ossia is the Italian musical term for “alternatively” and the shifts in dynamic within the piece represent the internal dialogues I have when making choices in life,’ says Robin. ‘The ongoing conversation between the bass guitar and bass synth reflect the bombardment of often contradictory online advice: about health, about nutrition, about wellbeing, about parenting… about seemingly everything, actually.’
Ossia follows previous single Flawwws, a track inspired by Richards’ bouts of self-doubt, overthinking and internet addiction, and Epoxy , an initial 74-second taster of the delights to be found on Taproots and backed by a music video starring experimental London dance duo ekleido.
Taproots features contributions throughout from pianist Chris Illingworth (of the Mercury Prize-nominated GoGo Penguin), flautist Ellen Beth Abdi (emerging Manchester solo artist). It was produced by Brendan Williams (James, Wu Lyf, GoGo Penguin, Dutch Uncles).
Experiments with manipulated acoustic sounds such as prepared pianos and guitar, combined with an orchestra of synthesisers, flutes and samples, are underpinned by live drums and Richards’ distinctive bass guitar.
In an arresting debut solo longplayer, Richards conveys personal and conceptional themes of growth and adaption through distinct motifs within each of the pieces, creating an aural journey intended to resonate with listeners’ life experiences.
Taproots is a departure from Richards’ work to date, which includes six albums with his band Dutch Uncles (‘Stockport’s answer to Talking Heads’ – the Guardian, 2023) and 2021’s double film soundtrack release The Earth Asleep & Birdsong (PRAH Recordings).
Kamera is the brand new venue upstairs at Lloyd & Platt (formerly The Lloyd’s) in Chorlton – by the team behind the Castle Hotel and Gullivers.
Price: £16 adv
Info/tickets: https://www.heymanchester.com/robin-richards-2#info
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