PODCAST 013: Richard Barbieri (Ghosts of the past)

In the 13th episode of my freeform podcast, I talk to synthesist Richard Barbieri.
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[@waverider6kj32]

Mr Barbieri is a legend. He paints with sound,known as Gandalf the white, a total wizard of soundscapes. Thanks 😊

[@jeffjedifitz]

Amazing musician as all Japan are. Had the pleasure of meeting Richard at one of his shows ..... a real gentleman💜

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Thanks for this, thank you Richard for all your music.

[@liborsionko]

Really worthwhile listen. I particularly like the chat around the distinction made between creativity in music and musicianship. An ultimate example of this being the Fab Four, none of whom considered themselves 'musicians' and in George and John's case were prone to not lifting a guitar for years. An artist will feel compelled to make music with what ever is available and create something beautiful.

[@THIRV]

Stopped everything here for nearly two hours to watch and listen right through. I hung on every word, and I can identify with a lot of what was said, re soundscaping, and channeling thoughts into music that aren’t Played like a musician, they just come together. I’ve never heard RB talk at this length before, it was so good to hear. Big thanks Markus and Richard.

[@zonasound]

Barbieri underrated, many great works from this guy and numerous side projects as well.

[@johnroynon9784]

Fantastic interview. Richard comes across as such a genuinely lovely humble guy. Japan were a huge part of my life musically and his keyboard work was central to that. also Steve Jansen's drumming which is mesmerizing. They never get as much attention as Mick Karn's bass (which was also amazing and deserves all the recognition it gets).

[@AnthonyReynolds]

Excellent interviewer, excellent interview.

[@dreezgreen3793]

Great to hear Richard speak for a change - would love to hear more about his career. Japan was my youth and porcupine tree my later years. Guy is a legend.

[@Masn00n]

Such a down to earth, amazing musician.

[@kevinsturges6957]

This is one of the most intelligent conversations about the music industry I have ever heard.

[@GMHG777]

Great interview, Richard is truly on that Eno level of sonic creation and manipulation !!! Richard if you happen to see this comment, it’s GK from the old Porcupine Tree days, love all your solo and project material and miss ya buddy !!!

[@presentmomentmusic2023]

"My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" is one of the most influential recordings of all time (for me). Love how Richard is such a great Eno admirer....definitely a huge influence on so many creative artists.....as is Richard himself!

[@johnferry7778]

I went to see David Byrne in Nottingham doing the album some years back. It was a superb sounding concert.

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

This is a pretty nice interview, covering a lot of topics with Richard. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

[@orestistsinalis]

Fantastic interview. So many gems in there. I've been a big Porcupine Tree fan, but didn't know about Richard Barbieri's previous and current projects. The last part where you talk about his and your creative process is really cool. Also loved the honesty throughout.

[@simonmcallister2769]

Thanks for sharing, Markus/Rich...great to have more insight into your worlds!

[@bobz1736]

So glad i found this... what a wonderful interview. Thank you 🙏

[@kevincross9206]

Excellent interview, really interesting 👍🏻

[@dereckvon]

Men of integrity.

[@briancox8518]

Have followed Richard since the early Japan days amazing musician and very versatile Japan should of been huge and i love porcupine tree amazing band My favourite Japan tracks are television other side of life obscure alternatives European son swing some kind of fool Ghosts art of parties Blackwater Porcupine tree well to many to choose from

[@devonblue]

Yeah the " badly tuned Radio" was how it was back then.... Great in-depth interview.....Nice Touch

[@jasonshort1437]

That was great, two class acts.

[@jossbsure]

This is a fascinating and deep interview! Just love to be able to get to the personal point of view of both of them, with no trace of the wooden speech of the industry. Thanks for that gift.

[@colourist.]

Good call , giving ‘My life in the bush of ghosts’ a shout ! ….. and Richard is such a hero :)

[@ZeeKat]

Yeah I too kinda waited for Richard to do one of those "quarantine playthroughs", workshops or just telling stories like many other fames were doing. Everyone go buy "Under a spell", it's rather lovely and does indeed sound a bit like tuning your radio to alien stations.

[@timwilderspin]

I love how Richard speaks of the notion of older fans listening to music in a "reverent way". So true.

[@ericlindsey3069]

I love this man. So smart and talented and quietly brilliant. just a genius. An true unheralded genius. You can hear his and Steve's influence in ever, ever, EVERY film and TV music composure. Jansen's Slope, influence, even, is everywhere.

[@pedro20sousa]

One of the best podcast conversations i have ever heard! I find myself coming back and listening to it... As an amateur musician, it was great to learn all those aspects of the music business! Obrigado, Markus and Richard!

[@davebellamy4867]

Which music magazine had the Janssen / Barbieri artcle ages ago, probably early 90s? I had it but lost it among piles of junk at home. I may have left it somewhere. Such an elegant, minimal studio for its time. I always felt inspired by that article.

[@quantumeseboy]

That 1988 live band was a dream band, it was amazing.

[@ericlindsey3069]

Felt so lucky to see and hear them.

[@Reprodestruxion]

Danke schön , herr Reuter

[@antoniosmusic]

Thank you so much for this wonderful insights and conversation.

[@batphink2655]

This is SO cool thanks for this interview Richard is so down to Earth and such an atmospheric keyboard player! He is a much better player than he thinks he is! He was /is the perfect guy for Japan and Porcupine Tree if you ask me!

[@tomislavzdunic802]

Adore.. Japan.. All.. David sylvian.. Sakamoto.. Pure esoteric diamond in music sky.. Complete ansemble.. Japan.. Mesmerising.. Voice david sylvian.. Most beatiful voice in solar system.. Croatia

[@nikbear]

Incredible interview, loved every minute of this, thank you for this, and Richard, what an absolute pleasure and star! 🤩

[@wbajzek]

Richard, I may not use your sounds that come with synths I own, but I learn a lot from them!

[@evil-um4yi]

He's the man!

[@marcelduchamp1339]

Great conversation. Sad to hear that Mr Sylvian, who is one of my all time favorite artists btw, was not willing to share more with his band mates.

[@dreezgreen3793]

Richard Japan in my youth; porcupine tree in my later years. Legend. 👍

[@davebellamy4867]

1:35:32 Absolutely SO RIGHT!

[@jarrahdrum]

I understand the “badly tuned radio” I have an old radio ( uses 2 PP9 batteries) which is exactly like this and it relaxes me actually

[@dazzp2]

Ill always be thankful to every member ,every fan, and moreso Asia for keeping Japan going from gig to gig in those early years, Ritchie i see as the Ray Manzaerk of Japan,a humble lovely guy , Japan, never were new romantics, it was their way of life,it was my,our generation ...rip mick karn, and ryuichi , god bless you , you came into the world with nothing,you may have left life in bare feet,but left more than many artists ever have whilst on this mortal coil,,,,thank you fir the podcast,,,more please,,, id love David to come out and callaborate with Steve,Ritchie,who knows,Rob may put his RAOB book down.....

[@MarcoMachera]

Very nice, thank you Markus

[@HectorLopez-ct3kq]

This is great ! Thanks

[@philliamproject8113]

This is so refreshing! I relate to your interview and your distinguished guest Mr Barbieri! I'm also an untrained musician and had a girlfriend who was classically trained and she couldn't understand how I write music and I can't either! LOL! 🤣

[@rolandwyss]

I enjoyed this very much, thank you Markus and Richard. Learned a lot. I love the new album! And anyway, "Rain Tree Crow" and "Stories Across Borders" are a big part of the soundtrack of my life. "The most important thing is how you play it." So true, that really struck a chord with me. It's a shame how everybody is chasing for the next beautiful super-warm Moog-Emulation or Jupiter-Emulation - instead of digging into the sounds, tweak them and play them so that they are beautiful and interesting. Every time I see Herbie Hancock play these cheesy sounds while soloing on his Kronos, it breaks my heart! :-) Richard inspired me to buy a Roland V-Synth and I still use it regularly with my self-programmed sounds. Still fantastic.

[@urabenowar2167]

Herbie is an old man, why would you look for programming clues from a virtuoso jazz pianist? His groundbreaking contributions to synth work were achieved in the mid-70s and were dwindling in the 80s. By the time he got his hands on the Kronos, it was the same story as with Peterson and his Synclavier or Chick and his Kurzweil being used to play e-piano jazz solos. These guys have dough and love the latest and best gadgets. Don't listen to Herbie. He's only got afoot in this world.

[@rolandwyss]

@@urabenowar2167 not looking for programming cues, just astonished how he doesn't seem to care about sound anymore... but it's of course also a matter of taste.

[@urabenowar2167]

@@rolandwyss I'd hate to disparage Mr.Hancock, being one of the last great keyboardists of the 70s. However, he did mention not being able to handle digital gear by the mid-90s, relaying sound design duties to Mr. Laswell et al. By that time and probably before he would tend to just slightly modify presets by nudging envelope & filter settings or adding chorus & reverb to an FM patch. Besides, he's a generation older than Richard, and their intrinsic value and roles musically are almost antithetical. I could understand a congruence with Mr. Zawinul yet Herbie's audio palette was always histrionic and abundant with tacky und marmite elements. For Korg to make instruments pre-programmed with comps, basses, pads, and leads making stylistic references to his oeuvre in my opinion is no small feet also worth riding on the coattails of a style you co-designed is something that could be run on autopilot for the economy of effort. I think Hancock's sound overall represents his essence and as you express, its bottom line is a matter of taste.

[@johnwade7430]

What a wonderful Podcast. You are SO lucky - to have lived in the city whereStockhausen was working.

[@johnwade7430]

And Richard gets to talk about his ideas around Ghosts

[@markusreuter]

Thank you. I enjoyed this conversation very much. Maybe soon there will be a part two. :-)

[@herb6677]

Thanx Hr. Reuter for this interview. I’m a hugh fan of RB because I think, that his music is the only music around that still can be called progressive. Jansen Barbieri Karn is still my favorite band. I always sensed that his music is a way of letting go of the keys at the right moment than hitting them. There's never is one note to much. Check out Indigo Falls, his album with his wife, for that‘s the best pop-prog-rock album of all time. Markus, hope to see you again with stick men or any other formation in dear ol‘ Vienna. Cheers!

[@briancox8518]

Indigo falls album is excellent

[@djmylesmatisse]

Markus, I just saw you with Tuner at The Baked Potato this past Sunday. You and Pat and Trey were phenomenal. Thank you! And thank you for doing this interview with Richard. So brilliant!!!

[@markusreuter]

You're welcome. Thank you for your feedback. :-)

[@TweedSuit]

Nice to see the vintage Micro Moog and Roland System 100M behind him and still in use.

[@shahruzmoshtael]

Indeed! The modular is actually a Roland System 700.

[@christianmoitzi8829]

Great video. Cheers

[@TheMrGrendel]

Monsters Musicians & Excellent Persons. Barbieri is so underrated but Up There With The Giants.

[@jeremyfisher9319]

Listening to his latest record 'On High' as I type, and awaiting the red vinyl edition of 'Under a Spell' which I already own on digital but want to support the artist. Listened to 'Other Worlds in a Small Room' last night, it was my first ambient record I ever purchased, followed by 'Seed' by JBK, then 'Stone to Flesh' with Steve that is one of my favourite records (I'll have to see if there's a vinyl version out there). Thank you Richard, and what a great, insightful interview from Markus...

[@ericlindsey3069]

Japan to me somehow became the greatest, most unique, most artistic, and heartfelt accomplishment of pop and rock. Artistically no band has reached their peak or out achieved them. It's things you feel and maybe can never adequately explain. 5 young men trying to absorb the influences of their idols...and somehow surpassing them in a way probably unmatched by any other band in history. It's achieving something between pop and art that no one else has really ever equaled? Share with me your candidates? Perhaps someday Japan, Sylvian, and the boys will be discovered the world and cultures raise up to a level to fully understand, get and celebrate them...

[@ericlindsey3069]

@Liqueurice Allsorts Yes.

[@ericlindsey3069]

@Liqueurice Allsorts David once said in an interview that he found childhood particularly difficult - that it wasn't his family - it was society or some words to that effect. Many artists have demons and depression that allow them to become the wonderful artists they are...then they don't get adequete treatment for their depression/traumas. Alsom David knows the influences and "secrets" behind all his creativity - and perhaps fails to appreciate his moments of spantaneous originality within his filters... I mean, what would we think of an artists that understood their own genius, or mentioned it? We migth hate that. Although, Prince could get away with it! I wish David and Ingrid had gotten good therapy rather than divorcing. They relied on religion/spirituality instead of the science of John Gottman and Harville Hendrix and their wives. Relationship and counseling science that could have saved their romance and marriage. Both would probably have been the better for it... my two pennies...

[@MisAnnThorpe]

@@ericlindsey3069 From a selfish point of view, with "Dead bees on a cake" being my least favourite of Sylvian's solo albums, I'm happy that he and Chavez parted!

[@MrMissingReel]

​@@MisAnnThorpe Agree....there was that weird Yoko Ono vibe.

[@cray56]

great interview. I wold love to know what this movie soundtrack is called

[@MisAnnThorpe]

I could be mistaken but I think the synth he mentions giving to Mick Karn, was an Oberheim OBX. I thought I had heard that he actually sold it to Mick and later asked to buy it back but without success!

[@CARambolagen]

That is why classical music is mostly split between composers and instrumentalists...

[@isashax]

YAY!!!!

[@isashax]

And funny enough, I was also at that David Sylvian gig!

[@CARambolagen]

Deep Purple used to credit almost all their songs to the whole band...

[@johnnyconnelly7278]

Richard, Mick, Steve and Rob Dean really got stiffed by Sylvian and Napier Bell. Japan were so much a sum of their parts yet every song only ever credited Sylvian and the Album covers always had Sylvian alone with the band on the back. For Richard to have to move back in with his parents after Japan had big success and large tour revenues is revealing. Sylvian even stole Karns girlfriend and moved her in under his nose. Nice guy.. Karn died penniless.His royalties from Japan yearly could pay his TV licence or Car tax but not both. This was a band who grew up together and when you think about the unique contributions of each member to the songs and sound of Japan its scandalous. I could be wrong but I think one of the reasons Sylvian was so keen to split the band was that the others were beginning to realise about where all the money was going.. Their story is a well worn tale of music business shithousery.

[@jbg48]

And yet some of Sylvian's best work was post-Japan. I doubt he cares. He seems to given up on making music which is pleasurable to listen to. Don't get me wrong, he sounds a truly horrible person. There is a space in hell for him/NOMIS for what he did, especially with Rain Tree Crow. Hopefully RB will have a fat pension with Porcupine Tree.

[@djmylesmatisse]

It always bothered me that David was the only one on the covers of their last 3 albums, Gentleman Take Polaroids, Quiet Life and Tin Drum. The entire band should've been on them or no one at all. That said, Japan's first two albums had the entire band on them but not in a good way. Their debut Adolescent Sex had the huge name Japan with All 5 bands members heads but with David's being the largest and in front. A terrible cover. Their 2nd album Obscure Alternatives was not only a bad title but while it had the entire band on the cover in a beautifully lit photo, it had David in the foreground with the other four standing in a line behind him like they were his dutiful servants. It's not David Sylvian and Japan, it's JAPAN!!! My favorite style of Japan's music was what they ALL exhibited on songs like Methods of Dance, Swing, Quiet Life, Halloween, Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Life in Tokyo, European Son, Adolescent Sex, Fall in Love with Me. When their final album Tin Drum came out, I didn't like it and still don't to this day...including their supposed biggest song Ghosts. Gone were all the qualities I loved most about them. It's obvious David manipulated and controlled the musical direction of the band and for me, he obliterated their sound. If David wanted a Tin Drum type sound, he should've left that for a solo album. I still don't listen to Tin Drum because it upsets me too much. Japan should've stayed in the style of all the songs I listed above because THAT was their best COLLABORATIVE sound. Also, Japan songwriting credits should've been shared EQUALLY like Duran Duran did because without Richard, Steve, Mick and Rob, David would NOT have been unable to replicate the sound they ALL created. In a 2022 self interview, David said he hasn't listened to a single note of Japan's music since the band broke up in 1982. That, to me, is sad.

[@isac120in]

I think most people see the bad things, I think many hold a grudge against Sylvian for the money thing, and I feel that it was really something more done by his manager that incited Sylvian that everything was attributed to him in the credits. What can be repressed is that after breaking up the band he didn't want to talk to the others to fix the matter (possibly he was not interested and I think he would have done it, considering that he has said many times that he doesn't like his time in Japan, so it would be an easy way out so that he wouldn't be seen as the only creator), and they complain about the covers, as if that wasn't the case with most album covers from the 70s. It was more a matter of having someone who represents and is a recognizable face. And of course, Sylvian or the others could have done something about it, but none of them would do it because they were young and starting out in the industry, surely everyone thought it was the right thing to do There's also the repeat of Yuka Fujii's theme, it's like, Karn most likely didn't care that much, because he met the love of his life afterwards and lived happily married. You guys make Sylvian look like he's a Devil personified, which I understand the frustration, but really let's see that Richard, Steve and Dean are currently living peacefully and happily. They don't hold that much resentment towards him, and possibly they don't want the hate to spread among the fans. Had Karn not been stricken with cancer, he might have had another chance to shine in his reunion with Dali's Car in 2010. Sylvian even supported the cause of raising money so that he could get over his illness Sylvian is neither a saint nor a devil, so please let's stop spreading hate, and let's not see everything with negativity. Having a community that supports so much but at the same time throws so much hate, is very vulgar Similar things have happened with other bands like The Police, Beatles, etc but in no fandom have I seen so much hate towards a person just because of a business situation

[@CARambolagen]

Without Steve Nye Tin Drum would never have become the iconic album that it is...

[@ericlindsey3069]

Steve was in love with them; their creativity, their vibe, it was a match made in heaven for a while...

[@tyroon81]

I wonder if anyone will buy vinyl once all us old gits have died out? I hope so, but I'm not sure my grandkids would even know how to put a record on!😔

[@johnferry7778]

Lots of young people are buying vinyl these days.

[@UFO_computers]

Wow, so it appears David got 100% of the publishing !!?? Unbelievable

[@ryn5671]

Small world now that Nate Navarro is touring w/ Richard

[@markusreuter]

Yep.

[@ryn5671]

@@markusreuter Mick Karn is why I became A Bassist in 1987 ( I was 15 ) . Had all the JAPAN stuff and Karn's "Titles" at 12 years old. Changed my life. Thank you for this interview. And Truth be known, I am the reason Morgan Agren got a Facebook account. Talked him into it years ago via email. Lol.. Take care and I look forward to more interviews, sir !! .... Ryn

[@quantumeseboy]

Richard, please recommend a the headphones!

[@richardbarbieri8386]

Sony MDR 7506

[@MisAnnThorpe]

@@richardbarbieri8386 Thank you Mr Barbieri. I remember you recommending a particular Yamaha headphone but couldn't remember where. Have been going through the comments sections of your interviews looking for this! Hope you are keeping well.

[@CARambolagen]

Well I was glad to have my tonsils out at age 22 otherwise I would have lived on antibiotics for the rest of my life and probably would have had to give up singing in a band...

[@quantumeseboy]

Huh, quitting smoking did not help me with whistling.

[@DarranJHankey66]

Very surprised Rich never complimented Ray Manzarek, if Ray was never an inspiration at some point as a keyboard player I'm surprised, mind you, Ray didn't have Bells N Whistles like Japan