Harsh.TV Does An Exclusive Interview with The Very Talented Richard James Hagan, British singer/songwriter/musician

Harsh.TV Does An Exclusive Interview with The Very Talented Richard James Hagan, British singer/songwriter/musician 

We talk about His Current Music Projects, Who's on His Hot Playlist, His Fashion style and Find Out What he means when he says ''When The Nigh Comes''

A Great Interview

Enjoy!!!

Q. Tell us about who you are & what you do? 

I’m Richard James Hagan, British singer/songwriter/musician; currently writing and recording my debut album ‘When The Night Comes’. I started my first band when I was around 12 years old, five of us crammed in my bedroom. The drummer used to sit on the window sill, and there wasn’t enough room for a seat. I picked up the bass, and sang some backing vocals for the next few years. Got hooked on a career in music from an early age and been living it ever since.

Q: Describe your music in 5 words 

Classic; Cinematic; Timeless; Indie; Rock

Q. What makes your voice stand out from other artists?

I think my voice is unique, sincere and honest, just wants to touch your soul.

Q. Do you write your own material?

I’ve been writing songs all my life. Writing is like painting pictures for me. One song can be interpreted in so many different ways. The song, the sound and the look, that’s all you need.

Q: What are your current projects that you are working on?

My debut album ‘When The Night Comes’ is due to be released in March 2013. I’m currently working on that and getting my live set together so I can tour with the album.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? 

Standing on the mountain; a term I have always used. This term is for my arrival. We all need to do that once in our life at least. I would like to have a worldwide selling album - that’s my dream.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?

Life and people…the longer you are here, the more I get Inspired.

Q: Who would you rather listen to UK or US Music?

I couldn’t possibly choose between, but if I had to, then the U.S music.

Q: What artists are on your playlist?

My God, have you got all night…The Stones, Ozzy, Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Steve Stevens, David Bowie, drum and bass, I could go on forever.

Q: Please describe your fashion style in 5 words? 

Rock Star, Gothic, Cinematic, and of course Charismatic.

Q: How can people contact you & collaborate with you? 

You can find me on my website http://www.richardhagan.co.uk and http://www.myspace.com/richardhagan. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me on my journey so far, especially, as the cliché goes, my mother. Music to me is about the people. Without them, I’m wasting my time.

Bio

British singer/songwriter/musician – Breaking the boundaries in bass

Currently writing and recording my debut album ‘When The Night Comes’, due to be released in March 2013.

First started getting into music at the age of 9 years old. My stepfather gave me a Stones, a Chuck Berry and some ACDC albums. My first band was called Alcatraz, a school band. We played at the local youth club as often as possible. I used to watch bands rehearsing in my stepfather’s house. Picked up my first bass guitar from Woolworths. I think it was £14.99, a Fender Jazz copy.

I was playing original songs, mostly punk-rock orientated. I guess my second band was the one that changed things for me; it was called Fairwarning. Played bass, did some backing vocals, and wrote most of the songs with the guitar player. Started gigging and playing in pubs around the north of England.

I was in a couple of bands after that, including the Richard Hagan Band. Felt like I was going through my Bob Dylan/Bruce Springsteen period. Stayed solo for the next 5 years or so, writing with various people. Did some publishing deals and kept on chasing the dream. Got tired of being on my own, missed being in a band, well the good bits anyway. Couldn’t get a record deal at the time. Singer/Songwriter solo artists were few and far between in those days. Spent a lot of time with older professionals writing, recording and gigging, such as Sad Cafe Boys and 10cc.

Then I did a European tour supporting Lloyd Cole and The Commotions. That was good experience! Threw a band together one day, went on tour the next. Met some great people on this journey. Then formed a band called Omkara, put a lot of time into this. The band members looked great and were all great players. We were well-received.

A few years later, I put together the first Earthwood band, which started with Steve Seagar and eventually became three with Charlotte Hada. Earthwood consisted of me on vocals, Steve on 12-string acoustic and Charlotte on percussion and vocals.

Probably the most successful band to date, Earthwood was more of a challenge for lots of reasons. It certainly was the hardest gigging band so far. We gigged everywhere we could, raw, loud and aggressively tribal. Picked the bass up for the odd song, but had to be a great front man for this to work well and press the buttons I wanted to reach. Cutting a lengthy, curvy, winding road short, Charlotte and Steve became an item, and it went all downhill from there.

In 1995, I reformed Earthwood as an electric 5-piece. This band was darker and a lot heavier than anything previous. Gigged hard, sometimes 8 gigs a week; really learnt my craft as a front man in this band. Rock was dead in the UK from a commercial point of view. Built a big following, worked hard, had sponsorships, equipment, guitars, and merchandise. Did lots of supports on the circuit, and had some great moments. The band split eventually and it ended about 5 years later.

Hair was down to my waist, shaved it off to the skin, felt like I was reborn. Home was a big warehouse near a river. Learnt to play the drums; it was good to get all those years of frustration out on the skins. I was previously in a suburban 3-bed semi, but it wasn't a very creative environment for me. Change is good.

Got out of my house, moved into a church, and all my creativity, hunger, passion and desire to stand on the mountain came back. Started to write again, and met Kye Jones. We worked hard together as two bass players, recording and rehearsing, and When The Night Comes was born. At that point, I began to explore different ways of playing the bass guitar, trying things I had never done before. Took the skin off my finger, but it was worth it.

I’m now working on my debut album ‘When The Night Comes’, due to be released in March 2013 and supported with a world tour.