Robin Richards + Ellen Beth Abdi

Robin Richards, principal composer in beloved Manchester art-pop band Dutch Uncles, has released his long-awaited debut solo album, Taproots, on PRAH Recordings.

Positioning him alongside experimental electronic contemporaries Oneohtrix Point Never, Flying Lotus, Hinako Omori and Djrum et al, the album’s arc includes pieces about self-doubt, positive life changes, fatherhood and a suite of concept pieces about the life cycle of trees.

The album features the single Ossia. What starts with conventional bass guitar, Wurlitzer and drums, gradually expands into a meld of synths, distortions, jungle beats and prepared guitar (played with crocodile clips on the strings).

‘Ossia is the Italian musical term for “alternatively” and the shifts in dynamic within the piece represent the internal dialogues I have when making choices in life,’ says Robin. ‘The ongoing conversation between the bass guitar and bass synth reflect the bombardment of often contradictory online advice: about health, about nutrition, about wellbeing, about parenting… about seemingly everything, actually.’

Ossia follows previous single Flawwws, a track inspired by Richards’ bouts of self-doubt, overthinking and internet addiction, and Epoxy.

Taproots features contributions from Chris Illingworth (GoGo Penguin) and Ellen Beth Abdi. It was produced by Brendan Williams.

Special guest is Manc music-maker Ellen Beth Abdi who crafts wonky, soul-infused pop with live loops, pokey drums and quietly subversive lyrics.

Presented by Hey! Manchester.

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