Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
One of the best songwriters and record makers I've heard in a very long time."
- Randy Newman
"Richard has a voice as distinctive as a thumbprint...if only more songwriters - and more people - had his balance of wit and fortitude." - Jim Farber
"Julian is at his best in a live setting, where his words take on a delightfully vivid,
three-dimensional life. "
- Billboard
Discography
Good Life, 2002 *
Smash Palace, 1998
Richard Julian, 1997
*Major airplay on WXPN, WFUV, WKZE, etc
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Long regarded by fans, critics, and fellow artists as a "best-kept secret", the word is finally out on Richard Julian. His latest independent album, Good Life, has been receiving wide attention; garnering rave reviews in the mainstream press and getting added to radio play lists nationwide (WXPN, WFUV, WKZE, etc.). Since its release, he has been a guest on World Café and Mountain Stage and was the opening act for Grammy Award winner Norah Jones in the summer of 2002. Hes back out with her in July & August 0f 2003! Most recently, Claudia Marshall picked Good Life as #1 Album of 2002 in WFUV's annual countdown. Randy Newman calls him "One of the best songwriters and record makers I've heard in a very long time."
Originally from Delaware, Richard skipped college and spent what would have been his freshman year playing keyboards in a Las Vegas lounge band before fleeing to New York City where he has lived since. Prior to going independent he recorded two albums for the now-defunct Blackbird/Sire label, including the critically acclaimed but commercially obscure Smash Palace. With revered Nashville producer, Brad Jones (Jill Sobule, Butterfly), Julian created an unconventional record for a singer-songwriter, fusing a swirling blend of horns, woodwinds, vibes, piano, samples, and loops with his dynamic voice and candid wit.
As CD Now put it, "All this eclecticism might be for naught without the incisive, studied lyricism, sophisticated harmonic sensibilities and smoky, intimate tenor that are the main weapons in Julian's formidable arsenal. This varied, inspiring album hangs together chiefly due to the strength of Julian's authoritative artistic vision."
Interestingly, "Roman Polanski", a song from Smash Palace, fell into the hands of the infamous director himself, who sent along a letter of thanks, something Julian regards as a true honor.
Julians most recent effort, Good Life, albeit a homier, more acoustic version of their previous work, furthers his musical partnership with Brad Jones. It was recorded at Jones' house in Nashville, the perfect setting for its intimate minimalist sound. It too has received strong accolades from press and radio.
David Dye of World Café proclaimed - "We were huge fans of Smash Palace, but this new one, by all means, show's that Richards here to stay."
Or Performing Songwriter Julians third release shows him at his smart spare best. Its intelligent, alternately funny and disturbing, and solidly crafted.
Currently, Richard is rounding out material for a new album and preparing for a second Summer Tour opening for friend and cohort Norah Jones. Other artists are beginning to recognize Julian's work as well, such as Art Garfunkel who recorded "Young and Free", a song from Julian's self-titled debut record, for his most recent release, Everything Waits To Be Noticed.
"Richard Julian's style is unique and soulful with a searing, insightful point of view. He's got that rare gift - he can write with great power and deliver it with humor."
-Seth Justman (J Geils Band)
Links
