His surname literally means ‘Fine Gold’, and guess what? Yes, it does describe his sound. Richard Orofino is a young singer, songwriter, and producer out of Brooklyn whose highly-refined music is beginning to sound a lot like the next step out of bedroom pop. His style has evolved a lot over time, invoking new elements that transcend genres and show a huge instinct and disposition toward exploration and experimentation. By 2019, the sound he had crafted resulted in his debut EP, “Bell Notte” produced alongside Francois Tetaz (Gotye).
Inseparable love, painful romance, and beauty within darkness are frequent themes in Richard Orofino’s world. He draws inspiration from varied media including the works of David Lynch.“The drama and beauty blended with the dark and haunting imagery seem to create a unique and addicting universe that feels like home but a dream.”
Richard’s latest release is titled ‘Heart Splat’ and it’s really at the bleeding edge of his pop innovations, this time bringing a marked grunge influence that creates a strange dimension to the song, something between haunting and fun, upbeat yet dark, and it’s all wrapped around a curious story about how having a culinary orgasm by eating a “fantastic eggplant parmigiana with spaghetti” provided all the muse that Richard needed to come up with the song. Heart Splat was co-written and co-produced with Gabe Wax (War On Drugs, Soccer Mommy).
“Heart Splat is a song about when you eat a delicious meal so yummy you can just explode. I was eating this fantastic eggplant parmigiana with spaghetti and the song began to write itself. When I brought the song idea to a friend, it all started to come together just like the melted mozzarella from the dish. We got to use a lot of synth electric guitar which was really fun, I love doing that.”
In today’s interview, we asked Richard a couple of things about dining and songwriting and how the two relate, check it out:
RICHARD, I’M GONNA GO AHEAD AND GUESS THAT YOU’RE A TAURUS, AM I CORRECT?
I’m actually cancer! But I understand why you’d say that.
EITHER WAY, THIS SONG MAKES YOU SOUND LIKE A BIT OF A GOURMAND, OR A “FOODIE” AT LEAST. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE DISHES?
I would definitely say I grew up eating a lot of home-cooked Italian meals. Chicken cutlets, broccoli rabe and sausage, and tons of sauce with spaghetti and meatballs at grandma’s on Sundays. I also really love sushi.
THIS TRACK CAME ABOUT VERY SERENDIPITOUSLY… IS THAT USUALLY THE CASE FOR YOU?
I think for the most part a song shouldn’t be worked on too much, I find this true at least with my own songs and process. If it really starts coming out and together, it usually falls into place fairly quickly and easily!
DO YOU COOK?
Yes. I love to cook! Very similar to making a song to be honest.
WHAT WOULD YOU CALL THE STAGE YOUR CAREER IS CURRENTLY IN? WHAT MAKES YOUR SOUND WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW?
Not sure what stage this is, but it feels really exciting creatively. I’m sort of taking little risks I’d always dreamed of taking lyrically and sonically.
WHERE DO YOU FEEL YOU’RE HEADED TO, CREATIVELY SPEAKING? DO YOU HAVE ANY ARTISTIC PURSUITS OUTSIDE OF MUSIC?
I really want to start being more expansive and busy with visual stuff. Videography and painting are really fun when I have the time and energy to do it.
THE SONG WAS CO-WRITTEN AND CO-PRODUCED BY GABE WAX (WAR ON DRUGS, SOCCER MOMMY). WHAT DID HE BRING TO THE TABLE FOR YOU?
He definitely brought some ideas I couldn’t imagine coming up with on my own. A lot of those guitar lines are actually from this crazy synth he had. Rock guitar keyboards rule.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT? IS THERE ANYTHING ON THE HORIZON YOU CAN TEASE US WITH?
More music and videos always. Been also working on a bunch of music with other artists for their projects as well. I’m very excited for that stuff to be out in the world.
www.instagram.com/richardorofino
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photos by @carolinesafran
