Bio

At 11 years old, my family moved from Toronto to Whitby, Ontario, a quiet suburban town about 40 minutes east of the city. To me, it felt like a world away. While the distance wasn't far, the culture was entirely different. Whitby was shaped by skateboarding, punk rock, and a strong DIY music scene, and I was immediately drawn in.

A few weeks after the move, a neighbourhood kid lent me a record that would change everything. Sitting through one of my older brother's baseball games with headphones on, I heard The Offspring's "Bad Habit" for the first time. The gritty bass line, the driving rhythm, the energy, the attitude, it felt like a portal into a universe I didn't know existed. I was hooked.

That moment set me on a path that has defined much of my life. I taught myself to sing and play guitar, spent countless hours jamming with friends, and eventually joined a band that would become my creative home for the next 12 years. Together we wrote songs, recorded albums, and played anywhere that would have us. Those years shaped me as both a musician and songwriter, while connecting me with a community of artists who continue to inspire me.

Today, I find myself writing and recording more music than ever before. With experience has come perspective. The expectations and limitations I once placed on myself have given way to a greater sense of creative freedom. I have become less concerned with what my music should be and more interested in creating work that honestly reflects who I am.

Raised on the alternative and indie sounds of the 1990s, artists like Radiohead, Weezer, and countless others continue to influence my writing. My music blends acoustic and electric textures while exploring the social, environmental, and personal challenges that define modern life. Themes of connection, community, and our responsibility to one another often find their way into my songs.

While many of my songs wrestle with difficult realities, I am ultimately drawn to the possibility of something better. More than ever, I aim to create music that challenges perspectives, sparks reflection, and offers space for hope. Inspired by the music that shaped me, I strive to make songs for today that not only ask important questions, but also remind us of what is possible when we become the best versions of ourselves.

- RICH