Miranda Lee Richards
Encyclopedia
Miranda Lee Richards is an American singer-songwriter.
Her 2001 release The Herethereafter included original compositions such as "The Beginner" as well as a cover of The Rolling Stones
1967 single "Dandelion". Her single "The Long Goodbye" reached into the top five in Japan, and the music video
for this song was in heavy rotation on MTV Japan.
Miranda Lee Richards grew up in San Francisco, the daughter of comic book artists Ted and Teresa Richards. She attended a performing arts high school, and then took up modeling after graduation. She moved to Paris to continue her modeling career, and hated it, moving back to San Francisco. She met Kirk Hammett
of Metallica
through a friend, and he gave her guitar lessons and taught her to play Mazzy Star
songs. She recorded some demos in her basement which reached the ears of Anton Newcombe
of The Brian Jonestown Massacre
, who she joined briefly. After leaving them, she moved to Los Angeles, living in a tent out of a friend's backyard, while she met the many musicians who would grace her debut.
She has also worked with Joe Firstman
, and reportedly will appear on several tracks on an upcoming Tricky
release. Miranda has also recently performed with Good Listeners and the Jesus and Mary Chain.
Her "musical heroes" include Neil Young
, John Lennon
, The Rolling Stones
, Blondie
, Mazzy Star
, Beck
, and Chrissie Hynde
. She also enjoys trip-hop bands such as Massive Attack
and the DJ culture of beat-making, whose influence is apparent on The Herethereafter.
Her 2001 release The Herethereafter included original compositions such as "The Beginner" as well as a cover of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
1967 single "Dandelion". Her single "The Long Goodbye" reached into the top five in Japan, and the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for this song was in heavy rotation on MTV Japan.
Miranda Lee Richards grew up in San Francisco, the daughter of comic book artists Ted and Teresa Richards. She attended a performing arts high school, and then took up modeling after graduation. She moved to Paris to continue her modeling career, and hated it, moving back to San Francisco. She met Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett
Kirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stones list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
of Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
through a friend, and he gave her guitar lessons and taught her to play Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star is an American alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989 from the group Opal, a collaboration of guitarist David Roback and bassist Kendra Smith...
songs. She recorded some demos in her basement which reached the ears of Anton Newcombe
Anton Newcombe
Anton Alfred Newcombe is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and leader of the music group, The Brian Jonestown Massacre.-Music:...
of The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
The Brian Jonestown Massacre is an American eclectic musical group led by Anton Newcombe, whose music spans multiple genres including psychedelia, electronica, folk music, blues, experimental music, and many others....
, who she joined briefly. After leaving them, she moved to Los Angeles, living in a tent out of a friend's backyard, while she met the many musicians who would grace her debut.
She has also worked with Joe Firstman
Joe Firstman
Joe Firstman is an American adult alternative rock musician. Former musical director for Carson Daly's house band on Last Call with Carson Daly on NBC. His latest release was 2010's "Live at The Treehouse".-Early life:...
, and reportedly will appear on several tracks on an upcoming Tricky
Tricky
Tricky is an English musician and actor. As a producer and a musician, he is noted for a dark, rich and layered sound and a whispering sprechgesang lyrical style. Culturally, Tricky encourages an intertwining of societies, particularly in his musical fusion of rock and hip hop, high art and pop...
release. Miranda has also recently performed with Good Listeners and the Jesus and Mary Chain.
Her "musical heroes" include Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
, Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star
Mazzy Star is an American alternative rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1989 from the group Opal, a collaboration of guitarist David Roback and bassist Kendra Smith...
, Beck
Beck
Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known by the stage name Beck...
, and Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde
Christine Ellen "Chrissie" Hynde is an US musician best known as the leader of the rock/new wave band the Pretenders. She is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and has been the only constant member of the band throughout its history.-Early life and career:Hynde is the daughter of a part-time...
. She also enjoys trip-hop bands such as Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
and the DJ culture of beat-making, whose influence is apparent on The Herethereafter.
Discography
- The Herethereafter (Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, 2001) - Early November EP (2008)
- Light of X (Nettwerk Records, 2009)
External links
- Miranda Lee Richards' official website
- [ Miranda Lee Richards at Allmusic.com]
- http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/september_2001/interviews.html Alexander LaurenceAlexander LaurenceAlexander Laurence is a writer who was born in Los Angeles, California in May 1964. He attended CSULB and studied English Literature, where he graduated in 1988. He moved to San Francisco, California in 1989 and New York City in 1996. In that time, he attended classes at SF Art Institute and the...
interview on Free Williamsburg - Miranda Lee Richards and Nikka Costa