Here are the facts straight from the mouth of JR Richards- Dishwalla's frontman. The interview was a two-part exclusive- JR answered some questions via email and then we finished up during a half-hour phone conversation.
IE: Ian of the Dishwalla Myspace team
JR: JR Richards
IE: So there are lots of rumors swirling, and I want right off the bat to give you the chance to set the record straight. I've heard Dishwalla is done. The label has closed. That you guys aren't getting along. Whats the truth? Is Dishwalla finished or just taking a break for awhile?
JR: We're taking a break for awhile. Its hard to say how long that will be and what we may be doing if and when we do something. Recently we were looking at each other and [thought it was] time to do some other stuff for a little bit. It's part of the growth process- in order to get some fresh ideas.
IE: What's the main reason? Having mostly to do with record sales?
JR: If we were selling millions of records we'd still be working because you kind of have to. Things have kind of died down for us right now, as far as how busy we were being.
IE: And you're living in Florida and recording a solo album in California? How's the commute treating you?
JR laughed and explained that he's often flying between the two coasts multiple times per month, and that its been a challenge.
JR: I'm working on a solo record- always something that I've wanted to do at some point. A lot of it is figuring out what I want it to sound like. We [Dishwalla] definitely have a sound.
He also explains that he's been writing songs with a few people and that he's producing a band in Florida- helping to create their demo.
IE: How do you like Florida vs. Santa Barbara?
JR: It's hard to say. Ideally I'd like to have a house on both sides. They're similar in some ways- I like being around large bodies of water so whether it's the Atlantic or Pacific doesn't really matter. I do miss the mountains though
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IE: How would you distinguish your new solo work vs. what we know from Dishwalla? How would you define what you're working towards? Is there a sound you're going for?
JR: I just want to write a bunch of good songs. Just trying to get some quality sorted out. Lyrically my stuff has always had sort of a dark path. A lot of it might have to do with the musicians I end up working with. It might end up sounding like Dishwalla [or] it could be a death rock album (laughs).
IE: When can we expect to hear more new music? How about a release date for the album? How far along in the recording process?
JR: I'd ideally like to be done by the end of the year. Albums happen when they happen. Especially when I'm trying some things for the first time. Now I dont have anybody on my shoulder saying it needs to be this way or not. I'm just going to keep on writing, and hopefully a record will emerge.
IE: Are you going to be testing out the material live in the new future?
JR: I may be doing in the relatively near future some one-man solo things where I'm just playing piano and guitar.
JR noted that he hopes to add a full band to those live performances as the record gets more developed. He also speculated that the live dates would take place in various parts of the US. Obviously, he didn't have specifics at this time.
IE: Do you have a label yet?
JR: I'm working with Dishwalla's last manager. I'm not tied to any label. It really depends on what the material's like. The big label thing is a double edged sword. You end up having to sell a million records just to break even. If you're doing stuff on your own- there's not as much pressure to go and sell a bunch of records.
IE: It feels like much of mainstream rock and pop-rock music has lost its emotional wallop. Bands seem to be so willingly groomed and packaged and as a result- a lot of music is feeling insincere- almost test marketed. How do you feel about the current music scene?
JR: Unfortunately, I agree with you. We go through cycles and I feel we are at a point where there is not much emotional depth and the industry isn't helping much to change that. There is no artist development and I worry that some of the best songs will never be heard. Still, there are those bands that try and put more into their music than what is obvious and those bands will always stand out.
IE: Care to say anything about the sad state of radio?
JR: Not really... it does make me want to cry though.
IE: Back to what you mentioned about the state of rock music and the disappointing music scene- on the flipside- what bands are currently wowing you? Death Cab for Cutie?
JR: Yeah- those guys are great. They write great songs. A lot of bands are more vibe-oriented, right now its an 80s copy thing. I get more into music that is happening for the first time. Aqualung, Keane, Coldplay- those are bands that sound fresh to me, and the songwriting is great. James Blunt- the more singer/songwriters. I think its cool that those bands are doing well. On the other end you have American idol (laughs). Its amazing the power of American idol. [The music scene is] not really artist oriented, as much as it is performer/singer oriented.
It helps if the music industry and the labels are going to let the bands develop over time. There's a lot of bands- like The Beatles- they were doing covers when they started, but then they changed the face of music. That took 10 years. No label [would allow for that today]. There is no artist development anymore. It takes time. Everyone wants a quick buck and a quick song. Unfortunately we're training our audience to be okay with that.
IE: I met you back in 1995 when Dishwalla opened for the Goo Goo Dolls in Seattle. And a few times since. You always seem like the same personable, cool guy, and I hear that constantly from fans- that you and your band mates are the nicest around. How have you been able to keep your head on straight in a career brimming with temptation and opportunities to make a public ass of yourself?
JR: I think we all are who we are, before and after selling a million records. We're generally nice to people but we're not always nice to ourselves (laughs). Its like that brother relationship- you love each other but you occasionally get into a fist fight.
IE: Are you encouraged by the artists like Rob Dickinson from Catherine Wheel and others who have decided to go solo?
JR: Yeah like maybe there's hope for me?!? (laughs)
IE: You recently starred as the title role in Jesus Christ Superstar. How was that experience compared to performing with Dishwalla? Are you going to continue looking for similar opportunities?
JR: It was very different for a few reasons. The first being that I'm used to only 5 people on stage - not 60. Its a big production and everyone has to keep track of where they are or the whole thing can go astray quickly. Also, I had never been in a musical until JCST and besides the part of Jesus being pretty challenging, half of the singing isn't really singing but quick conversation. Nothing like singing in a rock band unless you're in Meatloaf.
IE: Your lyrics reveal an ongoing interest in matters of spirituality while you seem to shun extreme religiosity (Counting Blue Cars, Charlie Browns Parents). And then there are the lyrical themes throughout the Opaline album that seem downright Biblical- mentions of salvation, angels and demons. What is it about the supernatural that inspires you to write about it? Are you a religious guy?
JR: I consider myself a spiritual person. I believe that there is good and bad. In us and around us. The battle between good and evil has always inspired me and the gothic imagery that surrounds it often shows up in my lyrics.
IE: What's your greatest frustration at the moment? On the other end- what are you drawing inspiration from?
JR: My greatest frustration these days is change. I always feel like I'm a step behind. It's also what I draw inspiration from.
IE: Winter Sun is an emotional example of a great song written by a parent. How have you been changed by your role as a father?
JR: I am more responsible now. Seems strange a responsible rock singer but its true. He's more important than me and it's my job to make sure he's safe.
IE: Is there one particular Dishwalla album to point at and say "that one sums us up- that's the one I'm most proud of"?
JR: No, because we're constantly in this state of flux, as individuals and as a band. I think it was a good representation of who we were at that time (each album). I was 22 when we made our first record. Things have changed a lot. As human beings, as you get older, you view things differently. I find myself driving the speed limit a lot more (laughs). I think Opaline was a good record for that time- just lyrically and mood wise fit where we were at, at that time. The live record was fun- we were just enjoying playing and were playing well. It was just more capturing the enjoyment of playing. The last record was- "lets try to do something different from the record before."
IE: What hobbies do you have outside of music? Any lesser-known activities that you like to do when you have a little free time?
JR: I grew up surfing, snowboarding and wakeboarding but have gotten into martial arts the last few years. I started studying Kung-Fu while we were recording our second record with A&M. It was a very stressful record to make for many different reasons and I needed something in my life to help balance it out. The irony was that music had been my source of peace up to this point but that was changing quickly with all the bullshit the music industry was now bringing. I needed something to help find me some peace and martial arts became the much needed source of balance for me. I have been studying Kenpo (the Parker system) and more recently Wah Lum Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis Kun-fu. Basically, I'm a mess if I can't find balance.
IE: If you could relive one moment of your musical career thus far- what would that be?
JR: Doing a paparazzi photo shoot at the Billboard Music Awards with Daisy Fuentes. She was such a bitch the whole time we were taking photos together and to this day I have no idea what her problem was. But if you see any of the photos we took she looks like she's having the time of her life, while I looked tortured. Ever since, I wished I had done something off color while the photos flashed.
IE: Would you mind sharing a piece of trivia about Dishwalla that you're sure we havent heard before?
JR: We were once a Poison Cover Band.
IE: I gave the fans an opportunity to ask you a question. Here's a couple of the best ones:
Is there anything fans can do to help [you guys]? Is there anything fans have been doing that is NOT helpful or is even insensitive/hurtful while [Dishwalla is] making big decisions about the future?
-Kathryn
JR: The fans have always been great. I know it sounds trite but its true: The fans have been what has kept us going all these years. Without our fans we wouldnt be much.
Last summer at a show in St. Louis, you mentioned that you were hoping on to teach yourself to play guitar left-handed... how is that coming JR?
-Kyle Lowden
Carlinville, IL
JR: LOL.. I must have been drinking. I have a hard enough time playing right handed.
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I want to thank you all again for your help in setting up this interview with JR, and for the submitted questions and support. JR and I will be doing periodic follow-up interviews as his solo effort progresses or if there's a change in status for Dishwalla. Keep your eyes on this profile for ongoing news...
-Ian