Richmond Fontaine

Infobox musical artist
Name = Richmond Fontaine

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Origin = Portland, Oregon, nowrap|United States
Genre = Alternative country
Years_active = 1994–present
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URL = [http://www.richmondfontaine.com/ www.richmondfontaine.com]
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Richmond Fontaine is a four-piece alternative country band based in Portland, Oregon, United States.

History

The band was formed in 1994. Richmond Fontaine first started out touring the Pacific Northwest live circuit on the back of their first three albums released on Cavity Search Records. They have worked with a variety of musicians and a few labels over their career.

Their first exposures abroad were a song on a Loose Records compilation [http://cwas.hinah.com/interview/?id=114 Interview: Richmond Fontaine (Willy Vlautin) by Stav Sherez ] ] in the UK and the band's self-released fourth album, "Winnemucca", which garnered attention outside of the U.S. The band signed with Decor Records in Europe during 2003. Their next two releases proved pivotal and received "Albums of the Month" in "Uncut", which named both their fifth studio album "Post to Wire" (2004) and sixth "The Fitzgerald" (2005) "masterpieces". [ [http://www.uncut.co.uk/music/richmond_fontaine/interviews/8623 Richmond Fontaine - Uncut.co.uk ] ] [http://www.uncut.net/music/richmond_fontaine/reviews/9333 Richmond Fontaine - Thirteen Cities - Review - Uncut.co.uk ] ] U.S. critics have been generally complimentary but have also cited the band's musical similarity to Uncle Tupelo. [ [http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2007-07-04/music/richmond-fontaine/ St. Louis - Music - Richmond Fontaine ] ] [ [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/21349-lost-son Richmond Fontaine: Lost Son: Pitchfork Record Review ] ] Like many bands in their genre past and present such as Willard Grant Conspiracy, The Gun Club, and Green on Red, Richmond Fontaine are more popular abroad than in their own country. [ [https://www.harpmagazine.com/reviews/cd_reviews/detail.cfm?article_id=3402 Richmond Fontaine ] ]

Richmond Fontaine songs consistently evoke lyrical imagery of Reno, Nevada, Portland, the Western United States and Mexico while telling stories in a style that critics have compared to Raymond Carver. [http://www.richmondfontaine.com/discography/lyrics/index.php?cd_id=1] [http://www.richmondfontaine.com/discography/lyrics/index.php?cd_id=5] [ [http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ojdnvwpua9tk allmusic ((( Miles From > Overview ))) ] ] Musically the group has cited influences such as Gram Parsons, X, Green on Red [ [http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/rev-archive/Richmond_Fontaine.htm Richmond Fontaine: Lost Son -Ink Blot Magazine ] ] and Dave Alvin. [ [http://www.laurahird.com/newreview/willyvlautininterview.html Willy Vlautin interview on the official website of writer, Laura Hird ] ]

Lead Singer and songwriter Willy Vlautin is also a published writer. His first novel, "The Motel Life" was published in 2006, which was followed up by a second novel, "Northline", in 2008. "Northline" included a soundtrack CD by Williy Vlautin and Paul Brainard. The novel was well-reviewed by George Pelecanos. Vlautin has also had stories published in literary journals such as "Zembla", "Cold Drill", "Southeast Review", and "Chiron Review".

The band's most recent album, "Thirteen Cities", is receiving positive reviews across Europe.

Current band line-up

*Willy Vlautin: vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars
*Dave Harding: Bass guitar, Electric Guitars, Vocals
*Sean Oldham: drums, percussion, Vibes, vocals
*Dan Eccles: Guitar
*Paul Brainard: Pedal Steel, Piano, Vibes, Acoustic Guitar, vocals

Discography

*"Safety" (1996)
*"Miles From" (1997)
*"Lost Son" (1999)
*"Winnemucca" (2002)
*"Post to Wire" (2004)
*"The Fitzgerald" (2005)
*"Obliteration by Time" (2006)
*"Thirteen Cities" (2007)

References

External links

* [http://www.richmondfontaine.com/ Richmond Fontaine] (official website)
* [http://www.fabchannel.com/richmond_fontaine Video of live Richmond Fontaine show]
* [http://www.thewheelsstillinspin.com/2007/06/richmond_fontai.html Short review of "Thirteen Cities"] on The Wheel's Still In Spin
* [http://www.myspace.com/richmondfontaine Richmond Fontaine Myspace Page]