Richard Swift (singer-songwriter)

Richard Swift
Richard Swift
Background information
Birth name	Ricardo Sigilfredo Olivarez Swift-Ochoa
Born	March 16, 1977
Origin	California, U.S.
Died	July 3, 2018 (aged 41); Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Genres	Indie pop, lo-fi
Years active	2000–2018
Labels	Polydor, Secretly Canadian, Velvet Blue, Joyful Noise
Associated acts	The Arcs, The Shins, The Black Keys, Instruments Of Science & Technology, Starflyer 59
Website	www.richardswift.us

Richard Swift (March 16, 1977 – July 3, 2018) was an American singer-songwriter, musician and producer.^[1] He was the founder, owner, and recording engineer of National Freedom, a recording studio located in Oregon. He worked as producer for such acts as The Shins, Damien Jurado, David Bazan, Foxygen, Jessie Baylin, Nathaniel Rateliff, The Mynabirds, Wake Owl, Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab, Gardens & Villa, Cayucas, and Guster.^[2]

Swift was a former member of indie rock band The Shins and The Arcs.^[3] In April 2014, Richard announced via Twitter that he had joined The Black Keys as their touring bassist and backing singer.

In June 2018, Swift was hospitalized in Tacoma, Washington with a "life-threatening illness".^[4] He died on July 3, 2018 from hepatitis caused by his alcoholism, aged 41.^[5]