Miranda Lee Richards first burst onto the scene in the late 1990s as a member of The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Her tenure with the Massacre was shown in the award-winning documentary DIG! and lasted three albums through 1999’s Bringing It All Back Home. In 2001, Miranda made her major label debut with The Herethereafter, which did well overseas. These recordings ultimately led to collaborations with Tricky, The Jesus & Mary Chain and The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess.
Having taken her time between albums, Miranda’s third full-length is 2016’s Echoes Of The Dreamtime. Produced with husband Rick Parker – who himself has worked with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Dandy Warhols and Lord Huron – Echoes was made at home and is full of Space Echo. The album’s first single, “7th Ray,” was premiered earlier this month through the Brooklyn-based blog Stereogum.
In advance of Miranda’s Nov. 16 show at Rockwood Music Hall, I had the chance to do some Q&A with her. Miranda was wonderfully-candid about the movie DIG!, providing an answer that only time passed and wisdom could provide. Fortunately, another album is already in the works from Miranda, so plenty more goodness is to be expected from the Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter.
What do you wish more people knew about Miranda Lee Richards?
Miranda Lee Richards: That even though I would like to be considered a “serious artist,” I actually have a really wacky sense of humor and can be quite silly at times.
A lot of other great artists have three names with “Lee” being the middle name. Do you have a favorite?
M: I’m leaning towards Rickie Lee Jones. She was just so fun, free and cool, and I love that about her.
You’re touring in advance of Echoes Of The Dreamtime being released. How would you describe the album to someone who hasn’t yet heard the first single “7th Ray?”
M: It’s magical heart-world folk rock. There is a lot of whimsy and otherworldliness going on — hopefully.
Space Echo is said to be very prevalent on your forthcoming album. Do you recall the first album you heard in which it was used heavily?
M: I remember hearing it on Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd albums, and many other releases from Bowie to Radiohead. The Space Echo unit — not the pedal — came onto the scenes in the mid-1970s.
In having an album completed that’s still two months away from release, how does that impact you as a creative person? Are you already trying to write your next album?
M: Well, hmm, sure, I’m always writing and thinking of the next project. That’s what keeps music exciting for myself and for the audience, hopefully! But two months is actually a very short while a way in terms of release schedules and set-up, so I’m happy to be in the fast lane again. I have actually had the album finished for longer than that, and I have another record of other material called Black Fawn ready for release in 2016 as well.
Is there anything you miss about being on a major label?
M: The budgets, for sure. But it is a whole new time in the industry now anyhow, and there is a lot less money for recording, touring, videos, photoshoots, artist development and whatnot, even on a major label. I do NOT miss the lack of creative control and meddling from A&R people and managers every step of the way, however — I am always open to feedback and solicited opinions, of course. There was a hefty price to pay so to speak; it wasn’t a lot of bread for nothing, if you know what I mean.
Although you had a major label deal before DIG! was released, a lot of people discovered you as a result of that movie. Looking back at the movie, since it’s been more than 10 years since its release, are you happy you were involved with it? Do you feel it really told the story of what was going on?
M: I am happy I was involved in DIG! in retrospect, as it has really gotten our music out there for people to discover, much more so for The Dandy Warhols and Brian Jonestown Massacre. Ultimately that is what is most important. But it is a bit bittersweet, because both bands are not happy about the way they are portrayed in the movie, and even more complicated is the fact that I am still friends with Ondi Timoner, the director of the film. I am also still friends with both bands, so I’m right in the middle, seeing both sides. My mention in the movie is much more neutral, and my music is not heavily-featured, so there is a lot less at stake for me artistically and otherwise.
I think in order to be successful, you have to be willing to take risks and put yourself and your art out there, and DIG! did just that for the Brian Jonestown Massacre and Dandys, whether it was flattering or not. Bad PR is still PR, as the saying goes. It did tell the story of what was going on, but as a filmmaker, from Ondi’s perspective, sometimes the flattering light is boring, and the drama is what creates interest or contrast. On the other side as artists, we want to transcend the flaws, the mundane of everyday life. We don’t want our dirty laundry aired out for everyone to see, at least I don’t.
That stuff did happen, that was going on, but Anton [Newcombe] could also be really cool, sensitive and gentle, depending on his mood. The Dandys were a great band from the get go, and were really fun to see live and still are. The Brian Jonestown Massacre were a lot more unpredictable, but throwing down some seriously cool vibes, and Anton and Courtney [Taylor] — and the rest of the band members, for that matter — are highly-charismatic and intelligent. I think over time the true story has been revealed: it is a story of two killer bands wanting to make a footprint. And that’s ultimately what happened, so it’s a happy ending. Hopefully we all have more great music to release!
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
M: I like to read, go to shows, research online, go sailing, have heart to heart talks with family and friends, vintage shop, cook, entertain, meditate, garden and fix up my pad.
Do you have a favorite album of 2015?
M: Depression Cherry and Thank Your Lucky Stars by Beach House.
Finally, Miranda, any last words for the kids?
M: Follow your dreams, do what makes you happy. If you’re going through a tough time, hang in there. It will all make sense one day.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
