Richard Leschen

8th August
Members $7 Non-members $12

Richard Leschen is originally from the Midwestern United States and grew up playing American music of all sorts, listening to “the old stuff that was original, earthy, poetic and remains fresh every time it’s played.

Now a New Zealander, he classifies himself as a songwriter/guitar player. Regarding his lyrics, Leschen claims he is “still evolving and feeling more centred after two album releases: Heavy Waters and the fully acoustic Black Horses.” Black Horses was listed by American Homeplace among the Best of Americana Releases of 2008. New Sun Rising, his latest album which is also acoustic, highlights is unique improvisational cross-picking style guitar and cinematic lyrics that are well-informed by folk genres, including Latin American (he has kin in Mexico).

Leschen has performed at festivals, folk clubs and other venues as a solo artist and in bluegrass, folk and world music ensembles. He is founder of the Bunker Hill Folk Review which showcases Auckland singer/songwriters, has recorded with New Zealand artists such as Nigel Gavin and Carol Bean and his song, Bed Monkey, was recorded by documentarian Costa Botes. His latest two albums were brilliantly recorded by Robbie Duncan at Braeburn Studios.