We recently connected with Leslie Rich and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

February 1988. I’d been writing songs before and playing guitar in a school band, but the night I saw Kristin Hersh on late night British TV was when I knew the what, why and how of what I should be doing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Leslie Rich. I’m a songwriter, and an Irish immigrant. I began writing songs in 1988 and performing them professionally in 1989. I have toured in Europe, Scandinavia, the UK and Ireland, and in the USA. I write rhythmic, passionate songs laced with hope, encouragement to follow dreams, and falling in love. When I started, I was a solo, acoustic voice amongst an island of guitar based bands. I was regularly asked to open for touring acts coming through town (In fact, I’ve opened for many of my heroes) due to the ease of setup, price and still the ability to deliver a great warm up to the main act. I played a lot and played everywhere I could. When I finally formed a band in 1994 (The Rocket Soul Choir) we retained that strong rhythm and promised ourselves we’d always keep our rock music rooted in acoustic instrumentation. Belfast was not a hub of record company action, so my main goal back then was to always try and make records of the best quality we could afford. Fancy (And usually expensive) equipment isn’t what makes great records, it’s the quality of the songs and the attitude going in. There was no way to ever know who might find and listen to your music, so it was important to always put our best foot forward. I emigrated to the USA in 2004 and took a few years to find my footing, but eventually found a passion for Celtic music. I found I could blend all the punk and rock music through the traditional lens of the Celtic tradition and formed the high energy Celtic roots rock band, Hounds of Finn in 2007. It’s amazing to me after all these years to look out into the audience and watch people sing along to songs I’ve written.

In 2015 during a conversation with the old bass player from Rocket Soul Choir, we decided to reform the band. Some of the songs I had been writing didn’t feel like Hounds of Finn songs and so they got a new outlet! The Rocket Soul Choir is the band that now takes up most of my time. I would say that the reason for that is due to the creative collaboration with the rest of the band – Atom Robinson on bass, and Pete Boulger on drums. Opening new songs up to a more collaborative approach has led to new discoveries about my writing, and my own abilities on guitar. Having trusted, fun friends push, change and question your creativity leads to stronger and more honest writing. Instead of following trends, or even not allowing ourselves to fall back on old habits, our writing feels fresh and honest. When we’re in the studio, our main goal is to let the production bring out the best in the songs. Yes we have tricks (That make us smile or laugh), but not at the expense of the song. We regularly hear comments from our peers on the quality of our production.

In the last few years I’m starting to finally feel like I’m part of our scene. I think the thing that made the biggest difference was making sure to take the time to go out and watch and support other bands in our city. We interact, both in person and online, and offer encouragement and exclaim jealousy to the bands around town that we love. It might not be time spent writing, recording, or performing, but it is time well spent. I can’t count how many shows, or opportunities have come about just by being around the people and things we love. I can’t actually recall the last time I had to reach out and book a show myself!

I just simply always want to be putting out quality songs and recorded work and being an active part in my musical community. It’s good for the soul and the by-product can’t help but be validating also.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Realize the value in the arts. In my world, of course, I care most about music. In the last year or so I have noticed that audiences are more engaged than they had been in the lead up to 2020. I believe that’s because music lovers (And my presumption is all performance arts in general) realized they almost lost live music. In fact for a year and a half the DID lose live music. Live music is frankly the ONLY way to experience music. Music played live can transport you with the shared experience of that band, with that audience, at that time. It can change your life. In fact, for me, when I’m listening to the latest CD by my new favorite artist, in my head I’m reliving the last time I saw them. I’m sure there’s science and neuropathy behind all of this, but I’m a songwriter, not a scientist.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Music is how I’m built. I know it now and don’t bother to question it, but there was a time shortly after emigrating that I put it aside. I had taken a job, and due to my previous skillset, I ended up managing a coffee shop for a corporate chain. It was hard work, but I had bills to pay and responsibilities to take care of. The work/life balance in the USA is a shock to someone from elsewhere in the world, and it was for sure a shock to me. I was regularly working 60, or 70 hours a week to make this store run. I had little time for the “extras”, like exercise, relationships, or even music. I was trying my best and I was keeping it together. At Christmas, just before their annual conference, the company had a fun, frivolous challenge to their managers to write a Christmas song. One of my peers had mentioned she was going to enter. In a moment of playful facetiousness I had suggested that there was no point as I was obviously going to win. Up until that moment I hadn’t considered entering, but with the banter between us building, I decided I would. I did, in fact, win. The prize was to get up at the conference and perform the Christmas song just before the break for lunch. I got up and played my song and then took my place at the table for lunch. Sitting next to me was the director of operations for my region. He asked about my guitar and about the song. He then went on to tell me how he had been a guitarist, and a songwriter while in college in a pretty popular band. The words he used next stunned me, and obviously still have an effect on me today. After listing off his musical accolades, he turned to me and said, “But then I realized I had to put all that nonsense aside and knuckle down”. As a songwriter and musician who hadn’t picked up a guitar (Except to write a joke Christmas song), or sang in 7-8 months, it was a punch to my heart. I couldn’t answer, and even though I had been invited to stay after lunch, I had to grab my guitar and leave. The thing that upset me so much is that I can’t stop creating. I think about music every day. I listen to it, I read about it, and get lost in it. Leaving it aside just so I could “get by” and pay bills was effectively leaving a whole part of me aside. I was pretending to be someone else and hiding the one thing that made me who I am. The following week I handed in my notice. How could I pretend that my core being is less important than a “real job”? I was overworked, depressed, had suffering relationships, I wasn’t happy, and if I’m honest, paying the bills was still hard. I explained in my letter my reasons for leaving.

I’ve never been happier and I’ve never been sorry for making that decision. Yes, over the years I have still had day jobs, but I’ve never let the job come between myself and my innate creativity.

What’s also funny, is that a few years later, that same corporate executive reformed a band and can be regularly seen playing around town. We’ve even shared bills together.

Contact Info:

• Website: leslierichmusic.com
• Instagram: @leslierichmusic
• Facebook: @themusicofleslierich
• Youtube: @leslierich

Image Credits
1. Crystal Liepa Photography, 2. David Tanner, 3. Sarah Zmuda, 4. Jen Rich Design