Music / Spotlight
Spotlight: Richard The Fourth
Described as a pseudo RnB artist, Richard the Fourth distorts genre to create something unique and captivating in his music.
The Bedminster based, singer-songwriter released his debut EP, Meek Tragedy, in November 2022 and has since performed at venues around the city and performed his debut festival set earlier this year.
Taking inspiriation from a range of high-profile acts that influence him sonically, vocally and instrumentally, Richard the Fourth is not one to miss.
is needed now More than ever
Where in Bristol are you based?
I’m based south of the river on North Street, Bedminster.
Gentrification makes for tremendous motivation when you play music for your daily bread.
How would you describe your music?
My music has recently been described as Emo Jazz, Pseudo RnB and Indie Funk.
If I were to paint a picture, it would be that my music is the soundtrack to synchronised swimming with a menagerie of aquatic creatures while uncontrollably yet inexplicably sobbing.
What influences your music?
Jeff Buckley, Donny Hathaway and Aretha vocally. Radiohead and D’Angelo sonically. Prince instrumentally.
I love experimental, contemporary jazz and melancholic 90s-00s alt rock but my passionate feelings towards Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles suggest that I thirst for melody and hooks in the music that I listen to and am influenced by.
What’s your favourite memory of your career so far?
Our first festival last year. We came off stage after playing, completely buzzing with adrenaline before heading over to watch Sugababes headline the main stage (who were phenomenal).
It was probably the best hour and a half of my life.
What’s the response been to the music/art you’ve put out there so far?
It’s been incredibly flattering. The response to the EP and our live videos has been so positive. People that I think highly of in the Bristol scene love the tunes and have been enormous advocates of what I’m trying to do.
The greatest compliments, however, come directly after we’ve played live.
Knowing that the real value of what you do lies in the part of your craft that you enjoy the most is the greatest compliment anyone can pay to the project and I’m very grateful for that.
How have you found breaking into the music industry for grassroots artists?
It’s getting harder and harder to do. We have a wonderful community of people around us, from a multitude of genres, who have welcomed our sound and championed it in every direction but sometimes it’s still not enough.
You just have to be patient and get rejected over and over again. Competition is fierce for the best shows and, if you’re unrepresented, you can find yourself getting left behind.
The way it operates is no one’s fault, it’s just the way the industry works now. It’s so easy to get discouraged but an unwillingness to fail has been my greatest ally.
Where’s your favourite place to perform and attend a gig in Bristol?
The Gallimaufry to perform, SWX to watch.
The Galli has a wonderfully creative and exciting community of artists and musicians that both attend and perform shows there.
All week they have a diverse line-up of shows; teaming with local talent; filling the room and broadening the community further.
I was so relieved to hear that SWX was reopening. It’s a serious favourite of mine and its top level sound quality and capacity make it an important establishment for touring acts to visit Bristol.
I saw Young Fathers at the beginning of this year and they, along with the sound and crowd, were spectacular!
Who’s your dream artist to work with?
I would love to work with Jordan Rakei. We share similar influences and he’s an incredible producer.
Like me, he’s big into his electronic music and jazz so I think we’d create something very cool. Having him produce an album of mine or featuring on a track/ album of his would be a serious career moment for me.
The singer released his debut EP in November 2022. photo: Marie Dutton
Who have you got your eye on at the moment? Are there any artists you think deserve more appreciation/acknowledgement?
Waldo’s Gift, Heavy Lungs, t l k and Big Special are four acts that immediately come to mind but brand new and on the scene who are worth checking out are Malaurora, Samuel Fox and Yarmouth.
Outside of Bristol, my favourite artist at the moment is Baltimore based Dijon. He released an album two years ago and it’s spell binding.
Beautifully nuanced, idiosyncratic, captivating and melodic – it’s the best thing I’ve listened to in years. Think Frank Ocean meets Bon Iver. I nearly flew to Belgium earlier this year just to go and watch him live.
What’s next for you?
To use my craft as therapy for myself and others. I’ll be releasing new music at the tailend of this year so that’s exciting.
Main photo: Marie Dutton
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