Richard Anderson came to the attention of producers of BBC Radio Scotland in the 2000’s receiving play, for EP’s I’m Not Getting Into Conversation and Just As I Am, on the shows of Tom Morton, Iain Anderson, Brand New Opry, Janice Forsyth, and performing a live session on the station’s Celtic Connections programme.
No stranger to television, Richard was a regular guest on LTV’s Live At Six show, playing and giving interviews, receiving a plaudit from a high profile fellow guest:
Scotland’s former first minister, Jack McConnell, ‘I thought that was excellent’.
Playing solo/acoustically, with harmonica, throughout the land at everywhere from King Tuts’ Wah Wah Hut to the Edinburgh Fringe and being Glasgow Songwriter’s Club Best Newcomer for 2001:
Larry Guild, Glasgow Songwriter’s Magazine ‘Set packed with memorable songs’.
2007 saw the release of debut album Songs That Chose Me, produced by The Pearlfisher’s David Scott leading to further radio play and favourable reviews.
‘Brings To Mind Elvis Costello’. R2 Magazine
Richard toured extensively to promote Songs That Chose Me, while living in the north of England, and has opened for the likes of Boo Hewerdine, Peter Bruntnell, Michael Chapman, Kirsty McGhie, Oh Susannah, Kieran Halpin, and Dean Owens.
‘Itinerant Minstrel’ Cumberland News
Since moving to London, Richard became involved in anti-austerity politics and as chair of Wandsworth Against Cuts, organised a benefit concert appearing on the bill with the likes of Arthur Smith and Attila The Stockbroker. The album Up Before Dark, recorded by Faithless guitarist David Randall, was launched with backing band The Émigrés, at Earl’s Court’s The Troubadour, at the end of 2013.
Full of easy-going charm, plenty of great tunes' The Crack
* * * * 'Songs are heartfelt with some deft and atmospheric accompaniment' R2 Magazine.
During lockdown Richard produced and played all of the parts for the 2021 single All Things Considered and his interview on that subject, and many others, with Riverside Radio’s Andy Bungay can be heard here: