Richard Chartier

Where are you now?

Physically: at home in Los Angeles in my studio (with our cat Stomper on my lap). 

They just closed the parks and beaches.

Mentally: remote and uncertain.

Where would you be?

Going to thrift stores and estate sales and a cafe on a Saturday, while my husband is at his aikido dojo.

What have you been doing lately?

Gardening, working on sound/music + mixes, listening to a LOT of music, bicycling around my neighbourhood, thinking about what is truly important and essential, cooking, reaching out to friends.

Spending time with my husband and our 3 cats.

What are you hearing right now?

Birds outside (and our neighbours caged birds on their porch).

Are you taking advantage of this containment period to make music?

Trying to, the first week of lock down was difficult… but I feel my creativity coming back in recent days… starting the long process of finalizing new albums and releases from piles of work. 

How will the world be after all this?

Changed for the better? I hope this puts into perspective that we are ALL one community on this planet and that people start respecting nature.

I would love a de-emphasis on greed/capitalism and an embrace of socialism and care for those in need.

How can we support the music community?

Buy from artists directly, buy from small labels. Post about the releases you are listening to and love on social media to let others find something new to get them through this.

Five musical recommendations?

‘Horae’ by Sarah Davachi

‘Echoes +’ by Beatriz Ferreyra

‘Unchosen VRSNs’ by Best Available Technology

'Sanukaito: Stone Sounds of the Paleolithic Era in Japan’ by Toshi Tsuchitori

‘extensities’ by Asher Tuil

One book?

I’ve been unable to concentrate on long form writing. Spending time catching up on issues of the New Yorker that have been piling up.

What will you do when you're out?

Still be filled with anxiety, maybe go sit on the beach with my husband. See friends.

Finally getting back to taking care of the cats at our local animal shelter where I volunteer twice a week.

And perform live again...

Links:

Solo, collaborations, and as pinkcourtesyphone: https://richardchartier.bandcamp.com

Mixes & archives of my Dublab radio show: https://www.mixcloud.com/richardchartier

Photo: Peter Gumaskas