Interviews

His Lungs Are Full of Secrets: Chris Richards on Q and Not U, Ris Paul Ric and Japanese Horse Masks

By Miles Clements

Chris Richards, the enigmatic pseudo-frontman of Q and Not U, is about to be torn in two. As Q sadly dissolves into the pages of Dischord lore, Chris is readying Ris Paul Ric, his new solo-project (hence the name). But before he heads out on tour forever, Chris was kind enough to sit down for an interview via the almighty interweb. Here are the results.

So, as I’m sure most people know by now, Ris Paul Ric is a bit of a departure from your work with Q and Not U. But after listening to your new songs, there is definitely some continuity, especially when looking at the band’s later material, like Power. Was this a result of the timing between the two projects or was Ris Paul Ric more of a natural outlet for you?

It’s very hard to say. I wrote these songs during the end of 2004 when Q and Not U was taking a break. At the time, I had absolutely no idea that the band would be breaking up later in the year, so I think I tried to approach the songs from a different perspective. I didn’t want it to sound like the odds and sods leftover from my other band, even though some of the parts were things that didn’t fly when I introduced them at Q practice. I also wrote all of these songs in my bedroom, so they’re all quiet by nature. At first I didn’t want to wake up my roommates or the neighbors, but in the end I really enjoyed playing as quietly as possible.

Part of what makes your new material comparable to Q and Not U’s is of course your vocal style. Maybe it’s the falsetto, but you seem to have quite a soul influence. Am I dreaming or are you hiding behind piles of r&b and soul albums as we speak?

Yeah, I adore R&B of all era, but I don’t know if that’s really evident in these songs. But aside from that, I think when “dance-punk” became a powerful buzzword I kept wondering why it was always just the rhythm section that aped soul music. The singers never seemed to emulate funk and R&B the way the bass and drums did. I was also obsessed with Price at the time - and still am - so that was a huge influence. These days I’m really fascinated with the pop R&B you hear on the radio - Mariah Carey, Amerie, Destiny’s Child, R. Kelly, Raheem Devaughn, Ciara etc. I love this stuff the same way I loved Bobby Brown in 5th grade, Led Zeppelin in 7th grade, Bad Brains in high school, Eno in college, and on and on.

Do you have any unique or perhaps embarrassing influences that you’d care to share?

People should never be embarassed by the music they like. It’s so ridiculous. I’m currently working out a cover of the that new Mariah Carey single “Shake It Off,” but I think people are going to think it’s some kind of joke. Would it be a joke if I covered a Roxy Music song? No, because Roxy is acknowledged as this high-brow art rock band, or whatever. I really despise the high and low culture designations that people stamp on pop and underground music, but I think it’s fun to fuck with them. I think “Shake It Off” is more complex and beautiful and interesting than 90% of the crap you hear in the punk scene today.

Shifting gears a bit…I think that Dischord and the D.C. community are hands-down some of the most influential models for the do-it-yourself community. What do you think makes them both so successful?

I think Dischord’s history might be it’s greatest strength. To see a DIY institution last that long is a really amazing thing. They work hard and play by their own rules. It’s hard not to be influenced by their example.

Do you think that being in the shadow of all that power catalyzes the community in any way?

I think so. Even if it’s subconcious. I jog past the White House almost everyday. Helicopters fly over my house every night. I think those symbols really get in your bloodstream.

Has living in Washington affected you personally (i.e. ideologically, culturally, etc)?

Yeah, immensely. Actually, I find that LA and DC are very simillar because they both house two of the most powerful and far-reaching institutions in human history: Hollywood and the US Government. A minority of LA/DC residents are natives to the area - everyone comes to these cities to make their fortunes. That said, I think each city has small pockets of culture that exist in opposition to what’s going on the city, and they’re doing wonderful things. I would love to move to LA someday.

Speaking of culture, what have you been reading lately?

I’m currently caught in the trap of reading umpteen books at the same time and making my way through all of them at a glacial pace. I’m reading “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” a really amazing history of hip-hop by Jeff Chang. I highly recommend it, so far. I’m also reading a book about Pinochet called “The Condor Years” by John Dinges. And finally, my girl and I are both reading “Mrs. Dalloway” by Virginia Wolfe because we thought it was crazy that we’ve never read any Virginia Wolfe.

How about watching (if anything)?

I’m just waiting for the basketball season to start. I ordered a DVD copy of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Funky Monks” online yesterday. I highly recommend this movie to everyone, regardless if they like dem Red Hots.

Looking back on all of my Q and Not U experiences, I think my absolute favorite moment has to be an encore that you guys put on at the Troubadour where you stormed back on stage wearing nothing but some giant horse masks and pants. Care to explain that one?

That was our first show back in the US after touring in Japan. We had just bought these horrifying horse masks over there and thought it would make for a memorable stunt. We actually wanted to use them in a photo shoot, but then this Black Heart Procession album came out and some dudes were wearing the exact same masks. Busted.

Now that you know my favorite Q and Not U memory, what are some of yours?

Impossible to say. This band has been such a huge part of my life it’s like asking me what my favorite memory from my entire life. We’re currently rehearsing for the farewell shows and I’m finding it to be terribly depressing.

You’ve said that Ris Paul Ric is more of a temporary project for you. If that’s the case, what’s next?

I don’t think Ris will always continue, but I’m more interested in playing music with others. That said, I am trying to start a new R&B/punk crossover band right now. I’m writing songs on drum machines and keyboards and writing dueling vocal lines for two singers. I’m really excited and I think it’s going to be insane if I ever manage to get it off the ground. Check on me in January 2006. Here’s the ad I’m running in the DC City Paper: FEMALE R&B SINGER wanted for crossover band to record and tour. Aaliyah, Prince, Public Enemy, Dipset, Ciara, Nina Sky, The Clash, Ivy Queen, Roxy Music, Amerie, Grime. Contact vstreetwdc@hotmail.com Spread the word!

On a similar note, a lot of people have been wondering what the guys from Black Eyes have been doing. I know that Jacob and Daniel have helped you out recently, but are there any upcoming projects that we should know about? And are there any other bands/groups/projects (D.C. related or not) that you want to plug?

I just toured with Jacob, Daniel and Dan from Black Eyes. Dan was playing percussion and guitars with me, but Jacob and Daniel were both performing their own solo sets. Jacob is doing some really amazing loop-inspired guitar work under the name Earthen Sea. It’s absolutely gorgeous stuff. Daniel is studying music proper out in California and has been doing guitar improvisations for about a year. His sets were always very visceral and exciting to watch. It was a great tour and I’m pretty confident that all three of those guys are going to make interesting music for the rest of their lives. As for the rest of the Black Eyes dudes, Hugh has a new band called Hand Fed Babies and Mike is launching a new music website called Econo. And from the Q and Not U camp - Harris has a new solo project called President and John is working in a new band (yet unnamed) with his friend Laura Burhenn. The DC scene is pretty quiet right now, but it just goes cold like that from time to time. I’m looking forward to seeing who’s got next.

Chris Richards is currently on tour supporting Purple Blaze, which comes out November 1st.