Richard Reed Parry

Richard Reed Parry – Quiet River of Dust, Vol. 2: That Side of the River (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 43:10 minutes | 786 MB | Genre: Indie Rock, Contemporary Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Anti – Epitaph

The second half of the Arcade Fire singer/songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist’s ambitious Quiet River of Dust project, That Side of the River takes a step back from the mercurial, worldbeat-tinged psych-pop of its predecessor in favor of a more measured and linear ambient-folk approach. Released to coincide with the summer solstice — the previous volume arrived via the autumn equinox — the ten-track set is both meditative and quietly dramatic. Anchored by Parry’s cosmic musings, monastic melodies, and even-keeled voice, songs like “Lost in the Waves,” “Cups in the Ocean,” and “Throw a Cup of Water” — this is a wet record — are as ASMR friendly as they are heady. Parry keeps the progressive rock vibe that he established on Volume One going strong throughout the LP’s just-under-45-minute runtime, though things tend to hew closer to the bucolic (early King Crimson and Yes) end of the spectrum. His predilection towards pairing indie pop-kissed Albion folk with traditional Japanese music is less apparent this time around, with soft piano and shimmering electronics providing the bulk of the sonic architecture. In opting for a ruminative approach, Parry has crafted more of a guided meditation than a cosmopolitan fun house, resulting in a collection of songs that often feel less tangible than those that populated its antecedent. Still, it’s an ambitious work that is undeniably widescreen, but far removed from the grandiose chamber rock of his meal-ticket band. It celebrates family, self, friendship, and the existential pain and wonder of life. It seeks rather than spells things out, and in doing so manages to feel equally rooted in the past, present, and future. ~ James Christopher Monger

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Richard Reed Parry – Quiet River of Dust Vol. 1 (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 43:36 minutes | 798 MB | Genre: Folk, Indie Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Anti – Epitaph

Best known as an accomplished multi-instrumentalist in the Grammy-winning rock band Arcade Fire, the Quiet River of Dust volumes are Parry’s first solo work outside of his innovative compositional work with the highly respected Deutsche Grammaphon label. But Quiet River of Dust is a new direction: a dreamlike journey of immersive, gently psychedelic songs inspired by Japanese death poems and the folk music of the British Isles. The genesis of these songs came ten years ago after Arcade Fire’s first tour of Japan in February 2008. Parry stayed on for weeks after the last show, heading to a monastery for some solace in what he described as “the biggest silence you’ve ever heard.” Quiet River of Dust has been slowly gestating ever since, in many ways a necessary respite from Parry’s other musical pursuits as creating this music grew into a meditative practice. Guest performers on this project include Parry’s partner Laurel Sprengelmeyer of Little Scream, Stef Schneider of Bell Orchestre, Dallas Good of the Sadies, Yuka Honda of Cibo Matto, Amedeo Pace from Blonde Redhead, and The National’s Aaron and Bryce Dessner.

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Richard Reed Parry – Music For Heart And Breath (2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:05:30 minutes | 1,16 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon (DG)

Music for Heart and Breath is Richard Reed Parry´s debut as classical composer who is mostly known from the Grammy Nominated Uber Indie Rock Band Arcade Fire.
Richard is a multi-instrumentalist and composer, drawing his influences from classical music, folk and electronica. This is his first core classical release that will find his home at Deutsche Grammophon!

The album features various compositions for Heart and Breath for various ensembles, as well as small interludes (Interruptions).

The concept behind Heart and Breath is that every musician involved in the piece generates his own tempo by listening to his/her pulse during the performance. Fragile and intimate, these stunningly created performance effects are the basis for this conceptual compositional approach

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