# Manchester’s RICHARD EVANS Goes Deep on Technogenic Disaster on ‘Black Rain’

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/manchesters-richard-evans-goes-deep-on-technogenic-disaster-on-black-rain/
- Published: 2022-01-21T11:00:00-06:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

**Manchester’s Richard Evans goes deep on technogenic disaster on ‘Black Rain’. 
Forthcoming debut ‘Sentinel’ album explores humanity on the edge**.

_“A beautiful performance” _~ **The Guardian**

_“Richard Evans’ music is commendable, not only for its allure and catchiness (with
elements of Rational Youth, Pet Shop Boys and Jean-Michel Jarre), but also for taking
on such topical subject matter as technogenic disaster, environmental devastation
and our skewed outlook on our dire prospects as Earth’s inhabitants” _~** Ampify
Music Magazine**

_“A standout musical event” _~ **The State of the Arts**

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/bXnMB8-7OkY9i9qlOVppRhPiqZer7c3VNlxPjwkxs2c%
3D/PromoAccessory_437145.jpg?resize=407%2C295&ssl=1)

**Photo by Pau Ross**

Manchester-based artist [**Richard Evans**](https://www.richard-evans.com/) presents****
[**‘Black Rain’**](https://youtu.be/0uWljabuu5Q), an electro pop offering that foreshadows
his debut album [**‘Sentinel’**](https://richardevans.bandcamp.com/album/sentinel),
a collection of eight tracks to be released via [**Cold Star Media**](https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/richardevans/sentinel),
telling a story of humanity at a tipping point and a world trapped in a climate 
crisis.

An electronic musician, writer and digital media artist with dual Irish-British 
citizenship, Evan’s projects are inspired from real-world science, exploring biotechnology,
machine intelligence and the environment. The accompanying video for ‘Black Rain’,
which surrounds the same themes, was filmed at the University of Salford / MediaCityUK
by **Ashley Tidball, Timur Atilgan **and** Will Wood.**

Formerly keyboardist in UK cult band **James**, with whom he also co-wrote and recorded
material, he was also a guitarist and songwriter for [**St. Vitus Dancers**](https://youtu.be/86E18SULJxk)
prior to that. Since cutting his teeth on the UK music scene from the early 1980s
to early 1990s, his independent creative projects have received nine awards from**
Arts Council England** and a Business Development Award from **Creative England**,
as well as being commissioned for various projects by the University of Manchester
and Manchester Science Festival.

Richard Evans: Black Rain

[⌊Richard Evans: Black Rain⌉⌊Richard Evans: Black Rain⌉
Watch this video on YouTube

**‘Black Rain’**

“Black rain was a type of radioactive rain that fell after the atomic bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The song reflects on the era of Cold War atmospheric testing
that exploded over 600 nuclear weapons, as well as the accidents at Chernobyl and
Fukushima, all releasing long-lasting isotopes into the environment. The track starts
with a rhythmic repetition of the Japanese word ‘hibakusha’ which means radiation-
affected person. In a way, we’re all radiation-affected persons now,” says **Richard
Evans**.

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/JYrjbLNTpHiTJRy4ZMUOeo2AklgAGKN58I0vthTjjmM%
3D/PromoAccessory_020383.jpg?resize=316%2C354&ssl=1)

**Photo by Pau Ross**

On ‘Sentinel’, analogue synths and sequences are mixed with melodic vocal hooks 
and drum machine rhythms. Recorded during the COVID lockdowns, the album’s concept
was spawned several years ago during an acclaimed multimedia live show that explores
climate change in sound and light, featuring electronic music, video and data visualisation
content. Originally commissioned by Manchester Science Festival with additional 
support from Arts Council England and Creative England, it has since been performed
at festivals across the country.

For this long-player, existing songs were refined and new material was written, 
combining the warmth of classic synths with pared-down lyrics that explore real-
world subject matter. Recorded at Evan’s home studio, this album was mixed by [**Hervé Girardin**](http://hervegirardin.weebly.com/production--sound-design.html).

“‘Sentinel is an electro-pop concept album. It’s important that art has something
to say about the world we live in and there is no bigger issue than climate change.
The album is my take on the different facets of the subject  – from the impact of
micro-plastics to the paranoia of COVID; from the origins of life to global climate
protests, all in a pop package,” says** Richard Evans.**

Richard Evans’ output extends well beyond the musical realm. He wrote, directed 
and produced[ **‘AEON**‘](https://thisisaeon.com/), a science fiction drama encompassing
a smartphone app, web series and live events. A published author of many short stories,
he also published the novel [**‘KOSMONAUT ZERO’**](https://www.amazon.com/Kosmonaut-Zero-Richard-Evans/dp/1908853247)(
via Dead Ink), researched at Star City Cosmonaut Training Centre near Moscow. In
2011, Richard devised and directed the** ‘Gagarin 50’ **exhibition, celebrating 
the 50th anniversary of the first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin.

‘Sentinel will be released digitally on February 25th across [**online stores and streaming platforms**](https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/richardevans/sentinel),
including [**Bandcamp**](https://richardevans.bandcamp.com/album/sentinel), where
it can also be pre-ordered. White 180-gram vinyl can also be pre-ordered exclusively
through [**Diggers Factory. **](http://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/231202)Limited
to 300 copies, the vinyl edition is scheduled to ship on April 22, depending on 
the number of orders required.

To mark the digital release, Richard Evans will be performing [**Sentinel live on March 11th at Oxford’s Old Fire Station**](https://oldfirestation.org.uk/whats-on/sentinel-2/).

![](https://i0.wp.com/redirect.haulix.com/PJrQ4MYyIMZU_aAyNMAap25bHcGaGA0SXSkIw5F7RYg%
3D/PromoAccessory_694129.jpg?resize=399%2C399&ssl=1)

**TRACK LIST**
1. Made Of Stars2. Brave New World3. 20844. Trick Machine5. The Last
Of Us6. Black Rain7. All Fall Down8. Constellation

**CREDITS**
Music, lyrics, vocals, programming by Richard EvansMixed by Hervé GirardinCo-
produced by Hervé Girardin & Richard EvansGraphic design by Lee BaxterMastered by
Digitalflesh Audio MasteringWith thanks to Arts Council England, Creative England,
Manchester Science Festival, Waterside Arts and the University of Salford

**FOR FANS OF:** 
Pet Shop Boys, Kraftwerk, New Order, Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis

**Keep up with Richard Evans**
[Website](https://richard-evans.com/) | [Bandcamp](https://richardevans.bandcamp.com/album/sentinel)
| [Twitter](http://twitter.com/richardemusic) | [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/richardemusic)
| [Soundcloud](http://soundcloud%20https/soundcloud.com/richard_evans) | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCdxjOko_riONB5qzIfVEhA/videos)
| [Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/coldstarmedia)

**Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR**
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