#sparkchamber 020226 — Richard Rodwell

The joy of creation, especially when discovered at a young age, is an origin story we love to tell at #sparkchamber! A big warm welcome to composer Richard Rodwell. In his own words:

“I was born in England and arrived in Canada at four years old with my parents. They purchased a musical toy organ for me at five years old. When I opened the box and plugged it in, I had no idea what it was. I pressed one of the keys and it made a sound. “Blown away” is an understatement!! I pressed another key and it made a different sound. WOWWWW!!!! That was it. Sold!

“I was completely fascinated that you could press these buttons and different tones came out! At five years old, I started creating my own instrumental songs with that organ. I did a talent show at my public school ... with that organ ... got rave reviews … and the rest is history.”

Richard was in a rock band in high school, then a funk R&B band after graduating. He went on to start his own production company to produce different artists. His musical influences are all “outside of the box,” with the American new wave band DEVO being one of his favorites. He is an inductee into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame for co-writing My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style by the Dream Warriors.

“Kind of surreal, actually. But then again, all that you seek will eventually come to you with hard work, perseverance, and relentless belief. Be honest to a fault with others and more importantly, with yourself.”

Thank you, Richard! You are an inspiration for us all.

1.] Where do ideas come from?

My ideas come from the universe. I tap in.

2.] What is the itch you are scratching?

I am driven to always create something new, something that has never been heard.

3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?

Inspiration is always to create something new. I am a project-driven person. Projects always find me. I’m driven to finish them quickly, with precise perfection, then move on to the next.

4.] How do you know when you are done?

You just know. It’s that time when you say to yourself, “This can’t be any better.”