Richie is a Mass Appeal recording artist but known for curating events in collaboration with iconic producers in the rock scenes, gay scenes, basically niche nightlife communities, bringing everyone together in a way that’s really rare for New York – different people who may have never found themselves next to each other in a sold out room, met with one shared intention of wanting a fun experience led by music. Born out of this communal effort feels like the New New York, and he wants to share it with everyone. His new music is a direct reflection of this city and the people who live in it… made with them.

STREAM “Crawl (feat. Anna Shoemaker)”

What inspired this release?

When I first wrote this song, it was in a session with Tabi, Andreas, Anna. The lyrics were kind of just placeholders because we were focusing more on just getting a good vibe for the music – trying to make it kinda weird but still hard hitting. The lyrics we originally had were vague – possibly about love or life in general, so eventually I realized we needed to get back in and rewrite it to be something more personal. When we got back into the studio, instead of focusing on the lyrics, Anna and I just started talking shit about our lives as musicians and how our relationship to our art can feel very toxic at times. After just venting to each other for a while I think we both realized that this was what we needed to write the lyrics about so we just started going in that direction and making the song about the ups and downs of being a musician.

What makes this song special in your opinion?

I feel like one of the things that makes this song cool is that it was made with all real instruments but it doesn’t sound organic at all. The guitars, drums, synths, and even voices are just completely destroyed with distortion, pitch shifting, time stretching, and crazy effects and layering. Beyond anything technical or physical though, I think what makes it special is that it’s just about real shit and it comes from a really authentic place – a conversation between close friends. It’s amazing to be able to work with people like Anna who I feel is not only super talented, but also someone that I trust very much to feel vulnerable around and explore new ideas with.

How do you keep yourself inspired?

I think the best way to stay inspired is to stay present and break your routines. Inspiration comes really easy when you actually pay attention to what your inner monologue is saying. it only becomes hard to get inspired when you’re too busy trying to distract yourself and living on auto-pilot

What was your first exposure to music?

I can’t even begin to remember. There was always music on in my house growing up. My parents showed me so many artists like The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Otis Redding, Nina Simone, James Taylor, Curtis Mayfield, Pink Floyd. The first time I remember really asking about music was in my Dad’s car when he would play Q104.3 which played classic rock. I’d just ask him who every single artist was so I could download their albums off Limewire.

What excites you about your life?

I’m excited that if I continue on the path that I’m currently on, I’ll probably get to travel all around the world and play my music for all sorts of people. I haven’t done too much touring, but what I’ve done so far has been so validating and fulfilling in a way that just putting records on the internet is not. I’m also excited to keep working with my friends and expanding my community of artists to collaborate with. It’s insane to me that it’s become my job to hang out with my friends and do the thing I love the most with them. I just hope I can keep it going!

How would you describe your style in one word?

Authentic

What are our next moves?

My next moves are to go on tour with Rejjie Snow from 4/19-4/30! After that I’m making some videos and finishing up my album so that I can release more singles and eventually drop my album in the summer. I feel like I have so much work to do but also so much to look forward to. Every stage that I get to in my life feels like a new beginning and a new mountain to climb. This isnt always a great feeling, but a friend recently told me “You’re never going to arrive, and arriving isn’t the point anyway”. I think that’s very true so I’m trying to focus on my journey and just do the best I can. Chase my highs and ride my lows- if you will……