Biography
Richard Amos - Composer
Never compose anything unless the not composing of it
becomes a positive nuisance to you!
- Gustav Holst
Please also visit www.myspace.com/richardamos
Recent experience
| Launch of EVOLVE, Richard's new project for collaborations with other artists. | Aug 2005 |
| Third album 'Breathe' | Mar 2005 |
| Channel 4 recordings - Manager of Channel 4's record label and music publishing business - | Aug 2004 - June 2005 |
| Launch of Zemon (music production agency) | Sep 2003 |
| Second album ‘Dancing in the Desert’ completed and available | Oct 2002 |
| Outer Edge Productions: Music and FX for Clerical Medical ‘Future Fortunes’ - corporate video presented by Paul Ross | May 2002 |
| Short Film/Director: Xevi Soler: Sound Design and Music for the ‘The Haircut’ | Dec 2001 |
| Diploma in Media Composition from the Film Music Institute of Los Angeles | 2001 |
| Music for the Media Course: covering music for all genres; film, commercials, documentary etc. For Video Showreel click here. |
2000 - 2001 |
| ‘Tears and Joy’: debut album of electronic/classical/ambient/new age influences | 1999 |
| Harmony and Counterpoint Diploma: Morley College, London University | 1999 - 2000 |
| Outer Edge Productions: music for company’s corporate video | 1999 |
| 'Net': produced music for 15 minute film arthouse film for director James Hutchinson and performed live at The London Film Makers Co-op | 1994 |
Member
British Academy of Composers & Songwriters
Styles
"I like to compose and produce music in different styles from electronica, classical/contemporary, ambient, pop, dance genres, world music or any combination of these!"
Influences
"My main musical influences began with the electronic pop music of the early 80's such as Ultravox, Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre and then classical and jazz; Mozart, especially the 'Prague Symphony'/'Marraige of Figaro' and some of the piano concertos, Chopin etc and 20th century innovators such as Messaien, Glass, Reich, Morricone, the piano of Bill Evans and the fusion of Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays etc."
Biography
Richard’s musical aptitude comes from his Dutch mother who is a music and piano teacher in London. He is also a cousin of the famous Dutch pianist and composer Marius Van Paassen. Musical training began at the age of about 7 with piano and cello lessons reaching levels of grade 6 and 7 respectively at about 16.
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| Richard aged 10 playing cello accompanied by his mother on piano | Richard and Robin playing cello and violin |
During this time he also sang in the church choir at St. Anne’s Church Kew for 7 years and began to experiment with his first Moog synthesizer. He built a studio with his brother Robin and formed a synth pop duo (Exhibit-A) and wrote and produced over 30 songs as well as composing piano pieces and improvisations. Some examples are as follows:
- Piano Improvisation 1986
Composed and performed by Richard Amos. Engineered by Robin Amos. Recorded in August 1986 on Mum's Bechstein at home, Kew.
Duration: 6.31
- You Can Fight Back - Song (circa 1989)
Words and Music by Richard Amos, vocals by Richard Amos, guitar by Stephen Reeves.
Duration: 4.07
- The Future is an Open Book - Song (circa 1989)
Words and Music by Richard Amos, vocals by Richard Amos.
Duration: 4.10
Later Richard worked as an assistant engineer at John Kongos' Tapestry Studios (www.johnkongos.com)
in Barnes assisting on projects such as the single mix for Sinead O'Connor's first single 'Mandinka',
Gary Numan etc, as well as some of John’s TV/film music (The London Program etc) and even some
backing vocals for Roddy Frame!
Richard has also gained a BA and MA in Business and Marketing respectively and has worked successfully within advertising and marketing as a freelance consultant while developing a professional music career.
