Getting to Know… Katya Richardson | Interview 🎤

Composer, pianist, and producer Katya Richardson impresses with her high level of musicianship on the 74th interview on The Musical Hype.

“Genre has never really been an active priority in my work, and I think [my] diverse background has really allowed me to draw from my collective experience.” Ladies and gentlemen prepare for a true treat – a beacon when it comes to musicianship! For the 74^th interview on The Musical Hype, we get some incredible insight from composer, pianist, and producer Katya Richardson.

“I am less concerned about whether or not I am creating the ‘right’ type of music, but more focused on simply creating for myself and others, writing what is best for a project, collaborating as much as possible, and not limiting myself to a perspective.” That is nothing short of awesome, if I do say so herself.  When describing her EP, Left from Write, Richardson states it’s probably her “most detailed and extensive project to date.” “Almost a year in the making,” she states, “I mixed, recorded, and produced everything.” Without further ado, here is Getting to Know… Katya Richardson: Interview #74.

Let’s get this started off right. For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Katya Richardson: My unique sound stems from my fascination for collaboration and combining genre. Although originally trained as a classical composer, I play jazz piano, sing, and produce for a synth-pop band. I also regularly collaborate with dancers, choreographers, and filmmakers, always pushing me to interact with genre and sound in explorative ways. As a result, genre has never really been an active priority in my work, and I think this diverse background has really allowed me to draw from my collective experience. I am most interested in blurring the line between electronic and acoustic composition, whether it be through vocal loops or distorting traditional instruments.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did you get your start as a musician and what were some of the goals or the visions you had early on?

Katya Richardson: My father is a jazz musician, and some of my earliest memories are sitting backstage or going to concerts in Los Angeles. Although saturated by musical experiences at an early age, I didn’t really get into it until I started piano lessons. However, I quickly became more fascinated with improvising at the piano instead of practicing, which then led to writing music. In terms of early goals, I always knew I wanted to write for film. I was obsessed with anything John Williams, and would often create home videos with my cats and score them on the piano. I remember the first time I watched Fantasia and being so struck by the concept of combining music and film.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Katya Richardson: Since first starting out on piano, I have been exposed to so much more music, and the biggest change in my perspective has been in becoming more worldly. I am less concerned about whether or not I am creating the “right” type of music, but more focused on simply creating for myself and others, writing what is best for a project, collaborating as much as possible, and not limiting myself to a perspective.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Katya Richardson: Film-music wise, I am a sucker for anything lush and orchestral, like Alexandre Desplat or Nicholas Britell. One of my favorite scores is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. In terms of specific influences though, I am particularly excited by Son Lux and Isobel Waller-Bridge – they are both film composers that combine electronics into their scores in crazy ways! Son Lux often works with woodwinds and sax recordings and manipulates them into loops and distorted textures, combined with beats and heavy synth and vocal elements. I was recently inspired by his work, using similar vocal loops and sax in my most recent album, Left from Write.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Katya Richardson: So many stories to choose from! One time I was accompanying a vocalist on piano during a competition. My page turner accidentally knocked over my music and I had to stumble through the rest of the piece by memory. Very stressful!

That is stressful! Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Katya Richardson: It’s hard to choose one song, but I would probably say that my 3-track EP has been my favorite! Left from Write is my first release as an artist and my first time properly combining all of my musical influences of classical, electronica, and jazz. Almost a year in the making, I mixed, recorded, and produced everything, and it is probably my most detailed and extensive project to date. Musically, it was such a blast to make! I loved recording my friend on sax, myself on vocals, collaborating with a choreographer, and creating beats from samples of everyday objects. It’s not every day that I get to write music that’s groovy and fun!

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Katya Richardson: I’m fluent in Russian!

Closing this thing out, what are you currently working on or promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Katya Richardson: I’m super excited to share my new electrojazz album, Left from Write! It was written as part of a dance collaboration and celebrates both the struggles and creative impulses associated with dyslexia. By sharing this, my goal is to destigmatize dyslexia as a learning disability and question the standardization of education, but also take this opportunity to celebrate individuality and being human! You can check out the EP on Spotify and follow my on Instagram for more updates and photos from the release! 

Thank you so much for sharing taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Katya Richardson: Thanks so much for having me!

Photo Credits: Katya Richardson, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype