Richards grew up in San Francisco, the daughter of Ted and Teresa Richards, stars of the underground comics revolution. Her father created The 40 Year Old Hippie; her mother was one of the founding editors and contributors of Wimmin’s Comix in the 1970’s. “Growing up, I got the message that if you do what you love to do, money will follow, just not a lot of it.” It was a very Bohemian upbringing to put it lightly.
Richards played in school bands, but never considered music as a profession until her senior year of high school, when fate offered a unique hand. Her best friend began dating Kirk Hammett of Metallica, and Hammett taught Richards a few songs on guitar. “As soon as I knew how to play, I started writing and everything just clicked. Eventually I got a piano to expand my musical repertoire.”
Richards recorded her first demo in Hammett’s basement studio. Dave Deresinski, the then manager of the Brian Jonestown Massacre, passed the recording along to singer Anton Newcombe, who asked Richards to sing with the group. Shortly thereafter, Ondi Timoner began filming the BJM for her seminal documentary DIG! (2004). In one scene, a hiker observed the all white-clad members of The Brian Jonestown Massacre and friends gathered on a mountain top location. “Excuse me,” he asked, “is this a cult or a photo shoot?” Miranda ------then candidly replied, “Honestly sir, I don’t know the answer to that question.”
Richards had since moved down the coast to LA to further pursue a music career. “I played clubs and open mics while I worked odd jobs and made demos. A mutual friend introduced me to Rick Parker (producer/musician who went on to work with BRMC and The Von Bondies), and we’ve been working together ever since.” After recording a few sets of demos, she signed with Virgin, and began tracking her debut, The Herethereafter.
The Herethereafter (credits include Jon Brion and David Campbell) enjoyed critical acclaim, and over 40 film and TV licenses that allowed her to continue playing music full time. Since it’s release, Miranda has collaborated in the studio with Tricky, Tim Burgess (Charlatans), Neil Halstead (Mojave Three), Joe Firstman, and The Shore. She joined The Jesus and Mary Chain for the West Coast leg of their 2007 tour, singing duets with Jim Reid on “Sometimes Always” and “Just like Honey.” In the fall of 2007, she toured the UK in support of a vinyl single called “Life Boat” on Sonic Cathedral; in early 2008, she supported Tim Finn (Crowded House), and in late August she supported Neil Halstead, both on solo acoustic tours. The Early November EP was released digitally November 4, 2008 on Nettwerk Records; the full-length sophomore effort, Light of X, is due for worldwide release February 10, 2009.
Light of X is moody and introspective, the kind of music to play while you’re getting dressed up at night, sitting by the phone, and waiting for it to ring. The album fairly shimmers with folk, country, psychedelic, and even classical influences. Richards and Parker assembled a top-notch group of players including Eva Gardner (Mars Volta, Tim Burgess) on bass; main drummer Keith Mitchell (Mazzy Star); Ben Peeler (Wallflowers, Shelby Lynne) on pedal steel, and Josh Schwartz (Beachwood Sparks) on guitar. Rick Parker produced, engineered, mixed the record, and played guitar; Richards composed the material including string arrangements, and played acoustic guitar, piano, and organ.
As a songwriter, Richards has an uncanny knack of finding the diamonds in the dust of every day life and the relationships within. She’s able to look at an average moment and describe it in a way that transforms it into something much more powerful, a talent evident on every tack of Light of X. The album balances Richards’ beautiful, close to the heart vocals, with music that has the wide open, spacious feel of a desert sky or an empty church. Call it Ambient Americana, or Richards’ self coined term ‘Psychedelic Chamber Folk Rock’ if you like, Light of X is an album full of love and loss, desolation and salvation, both moody and comforting.
“Courtney Taylor from the Dandy Warhols calls my genre ‘Pixie Fairy Dust Chick Music,’” Miranda Lee Richards laughs, from her home in Los Angeles. “But I think another fitting description for Light of X might be ‘Psychedelic Chamber Folk Rock.’”
Beginner
Miranda Lee Richards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I got no reason to fear
I'm gonna roll with the changes
I'm gonna play it by ear
I'm improvisin' as I go along
I got no excuse if it all goes wrong
And if you're wonderin' how it feels
I got my eye on the road
I got my hand on the wheel
I'm gonna keep on drivin'
'til the truth is revealed
I'm improvisin' as I go along
I got no excuse if it all goes wrong
And if you're wonderin' how it feels
I'm only tryin' to keep it real
Alright
Gonna take it easy babe
We're takin' a ride to the moon tonight
Baby don't you worry
They say I'm a pretender
They say I'm a charlatan
Well you're never a beginner
How ya' ever gonna begin?
(how ya' gonna begin)
I'm improvisin' as I go along
I got no excuse if it all goes wrong
And if you're wonderin' how it feels
I'm only tryin' to keep it real
I got no script I got no plan
And I'm just doin' the best I can
And if you're wonderin' how it feels
I'm only tryin' to keep it real
Alright, that's right
Take it easy babe
We're takin' a ride to the moon tonight
Baby don't you worry
The lyrics to Miranda Lee Richards's song "The Beginner" convey a sense of uncertainty yet determination. The opening lines, "I don't know where I'm goin', but I got no reason to fear" indicate a lack of direction, but also a willingness to embrace the changes and challenges ahead. The repetition of "I'm improvisin' as I go along" emphasizes this idea of not having a set plan and instead adapting to the unknown. The lines "I'm only tryin' to keep it real" and "I'm just doin' the best I can" speak to the authenticity and sincerity that one can offer in the face of uncertainty.
The chorus, with the repetition of the phrase "I'm improvisin' as I go along," serves as both a reminder and a reassurance that it's okay to not have everything figured out. The mention of the moon in the bridge, with the lines "We're takin' a ride to the moon tonight, baby don't you worry," can be interpreted as a metaphor for exploring the unknown and taking chances.
Overall, "The Beginner" is a song about embracing the journey into the unknown, and finding a sense of empowerment in improvisation and authenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know where I'm goin'
I am uncertain about my future direction.
But I got no reason to fear
I am not afraid of the unknown.
I'm gonna roll with the changes
I am going to adapt to life's surprises.
I'm gonna play it by ear
I will proceed without prior planning.
I'm improvisin' as I go along
I am making things up as I proceed.
I got no excuse if it all goes wrong
I cannot defend myself if things do not work out.
And if you're wonderin' how it feels
If you are curious about my feelings.
I'm only tryin' to keep it real
I am only trying to be honest with you.
I got my eye on the road
I am paying attention to my path.
I got my hand on the wheel
I have control over where I am headed.
I'm gonna keep on drivin'
I will keep moving forward.
'til the truth is revealed
Until I can discover my true purpose.
Alright
Okay.
Gonna take it easy babe
I am going to slow down and relax.
We're takin' a ride to the moon tonight
We are going to have an adventure tonight.
Baby don't you worry
Don't be anxious about things.
They say I'm a pretender
Others think I am deceptive.
They say I'm a charlatan
They believe I am a fraud.
Well you're never a beginner
It is impossible to start anything from scratch.
How ya' ever gonna begin?
How can anyone ever start anything?
I got no script I got no plan
I am not following any set guidelines or strategies.
And I'm just doin' the best I can
I am giving my best effort.
Alright, that's right
Okay, that is correct.
Take it easy babe
Relax and let things happen naturally.
We're takin' a ride to the moon tonight
We are going to engage in a fun experience tonight.
Baby don't you worry
Do not be concerned.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES MEHLING, GEOFF SEGAL, MIRANDA LEE RICHARDS, RICK PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind