Richie Smith
Co-founder Desperate Men, now conservationist in west Cornwall
Lots of stuff all over the place. Cut my teeth with Friends Roadshow in the artistic melting pot that was Amsterdam in the late seventies, then formed Desperate Men in 1980. Also performed with and/or directed tons of other folks including Mummerandada, Circus Burlesque, Green Ginger, NoFit State, The World Famous, And Now: and Bramble FM. In 2005 I switched career and became a conservationist and have worked with the National Trust, Somerset Environmental Record Centre, Avon Wildlife Trust and currently the Penwith Landscape Partnership in the far west of Cornwall.
My tribe, however are still very much all the lovely folks I made connections with in the ‘Outdoor Arts’ over the years.
I currently have a flexible, inclusive, partcipatory, percussion project that I’m trying to find more opportunities for – Cymbalology.
And me and my Ciderbuddy, Deekey, make award winning Trinity Cider.
Cymbalology
Richie Smith – percussionist and street performer – bought a box of cymbals at an auction over 30 years ago. They have remained in that box until now. Fulfilling his dream to play them all at the same time, those 25 cymbals now form the heart of Cymbalology. Part performance, part installation, part workshop, Richie (and his collaborators) create a shimmering, shuddering, shining soundscape, then invite the audience to have a go and experience up close the hidden harmonics and undertones that cymbals reveal.
Premiered at Supernormal Festival in 2017, the experience is now available for festivals and events and can be tailored to suit a range of situations and locations – in wooded areas where the trees offer natural hanging points or indoors where the ropes can be tied to beams.
Cymbalology can be lit for after dark performances and creates a magical overnight installation.
Contact richiesmith@phonecoop.coop
