I Like Richard Ray

I Love Richard Ray! His style wows me . . . we had to meet up. He's a jazz guy, among other things, plays clarinet . . . I can't to check out his DJ style . . . he sat down the day after his birthday . . . to tell me about the optimism of music, the future of mixing, his library of 8,000 songs, the pattern "cover, original, remix" themes, moods, spontaneity, customized sets . . .creativity . . .
We sat at Groundwork Coffee, Friday, February 20, 2009. It was the day after Richard's birthday.
Coincidentally, Shehard Fairey's birthday party was the night before in a warehouse downtown.
I found out too late, by Twitter, and lamented missing it. All the sudden, celebrating the artist seems so important, especially now as his role in the free speech and antiwar movements comes to the centerstage due to the recent AP suit and Boston police harassment. As the bit-torrent pioneers Pirate Bay bureau representatives sat trial all week due to the Motion Picture Association of America's attempts to force American laws on Swedish people, there could not be a better time to get to know the force of DJ culture in LA.
DJ's to me are at the heart of the cultural revolution, the revolution of music, information, and love.
That's why I wanted to talk to Richard Delvone Ray.
I am really curious about his influences. Miles Davis came up.
Technology is helping creativity, because people can make and record music faster, without having to pay engineers.
He's played music, promoted and DJ'ed for years. He's multi- instrumental and he sings.
It's easy, he says.
All people should make music. He cites the studies that show multi-fold benefit for spirit and mind.
With the web people can think out of MTV norms, and really get creative, and build a following. He notes artists that want to share their music. Collaborate, layer.
He loves all genres, with a few exceptions and describes his ideal set as eclectic, but not "esoteric" more “a walk through a museum” is the desired effect. We laughed about the accelerated time-dating that goes on now with our web-based attention spans. How he loves to take something retro--play a bit--and then the crowd flashes back "oh yeah, summer 2006!" and it keeps it fun. It's time travel, really.
I didn't get to speak to Richard Ray as long as I would have liked, but I want to be hearing him out and about.
He's got a set at the downtown Standard 5-9 Tuesday evening . . . and if you get to make it out, you'll love Richard's effortless, gentlemanly cool, and groove on his signature good taste. . .
ilikerichardray@yahoo.com for inquiries.