
OLIVER RICHARD
Bio + Press
Cutting his teeth on garage bands, piano strings and chamber orchestras, Oliver Richard now fuses bipolar electric guitar with angelic vocals, fat synths and tripped out percussion to create a one man wall of sound.
In 2013 Richard released his debut single Triggerfish with cult record label Grimtale Records (US) on 7" vinyl after being discovered via a series of covers (The First Take Cover Sessions) posted to YouTube. He went on to contribute two tracks to the label’s 2014 sampler album. Both these physical releases sold out and are now highly sought-after. Following a year of live shows, the “White Finger” E.P. was released in March 2016 and was met with enthusiastic reviews: "Industrial-Euro…a cohesive punch to the gut” Dead Weather Denver Blog, USA.
Two years of live work later, in November 2018, Oliver Richard’s second single "Hungry" marked with the artist's first appearance on radio. Days afterwards, his song "Approach Me Like A Lion" was chosen by David-Bowie-producer Tony Visconti as the winner of the global Stylophone 50 songwriting competition. One year later and this became the B-side to 2019's “They Don’t Deserve Me”, Oliver Richard's third single, which quickly garnered critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic and further afield, featuring on a number of podcasts and independent radio stations.
Come 2020, and a fourth single "Fierce Ghosts" was released on Halloween, a collaboration featuring guest vocals and guitar from Craig John Davidson and a total remix from Dr Creamy Lips on the B-side of the 10" record. The video for this track quickly garnered attention on YouTube, as well as being shortlisted for The John Byrne Award.
In 2021 Nick Cave spotted Oliver in the crowd during a show in Scotland; he then lavishly praised Oliver's cover of the Grinderman song "Star Charmer": "...you have a beautiful voice...my wife loves you..."
2024 saw the release of "Lightning Dream", Oliver's first piano-based release, eschewing typical guitar arrangements, whilst exploring subtler, softer aspects of composition and delivery. This was followed shortly afterwards with "Hard as a Needle" at the start of 2025, the next in a series of singles foreshadowing Oliver's debut album, due in the second half of year.
- "...big, stark and weird, and when it comes to rock, that's exactly what I want...brilliantly unique" Fresh Underground Podcast, NYC
- "[Triggerfish] reminds me of 18 year old sex, a short quick grind...then you say, what just happened there... let's do it again…” Grimtale Records, USA
- "[White Finger] Industrial-Euro…a cohesive punch to the gut” Dead Weather Denver Blog, USA
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"...vacillating between wicked guitar riffs and haunting melodies backed almost poetic lyrics - I was captivated from first listen” Wax-o-holics Blog Spot, USA
- "..so much energy, the right amount of swagger and a hell of a lot of noise for one bloke and one guitar…" Citizen Mule Promotions, UK
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“Jeff Buckley meets Trent Reznor” Struck Dum Promotions, UK
- "Reminds me a bit of King Dude, but far heavier. Dark alternative folk rock with a touch of drone" Aberdoomed Promotions, UK
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"...the voice, songs and demeaner [sic] of a man born 80 years too late and on the wrong continent…." Vocoustics Promotions & Interesting Music Promotions, UK
Upcoming Shows
No shows booked at the moment.
VIDEOS
Contact
oliverrichard@oliverrichard.com