Richard Fleeshman 'Neon' album

For those already familiar with Richard Fleeshman, forget about what you think you know... Away from the mass of press attention he has garnered from his television work in Coronation Street, Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes and Soapstar Superstar, Fleeshman has been quietly developing his own songwriting style, culiminating in an exciting new chapter of his already glittering career.

Richard’s sound is that of a rapidly blossoming singer/songwriter. The upbeat lead single ‘Coming Down’ laments the break up of a relationship, and illustrates a more personal dimension in his music - “It’s about that moment when you think everything in your world is ruined and then having to pick yourself up again,” he explains.

The single is taken from Richard’s debut album "Neon", which is set for release on November 19th. Fleeshman has spent the past year working on this album with top producers who have worked with the likes of James Morrison and KT Tunstall amongst many other contemporary pop luminaries. Recording in West London’s famous Kensal Town studios, Richard recorded much of the album live - as well as co-writing every track, Richard plays piano and guitar on the record. “It’s difficult to pigeon hole the album as there was a lot I wanted to explore and I’m still kind of finding myself. The music is very blues and rock influenced and has quite an acoustic sound but it’s still pop!”

Fleeshman’s understated confidence in his new material is understandable – this is an album from an exciting new talent that looks set to confound the critics.

biography
There are some things in life that are genuinely suprising. Among them, an ex-soap star releasing a great debut album. But prepare to be surprised, because that's what Richard Fleeshman is about to do.

Richard first came to the public's attention as a singer when he won ITV's Soapstar Superstar back in 2006. And although he is very grateful to the show, it was something he agonised over doing because he feared he wouldn't be taken seriously as a musician. "Music was what I always wanted to do so Soapstar Superstar was a kind of showcase - without it I could have sat in my room writing songs for the next 15 years with no one even knowing I could sing. Since I very young I've played the piano and guitar, and I've always loved writing songs and singing."

Richard comes from an acting family and when Coronation Street was looking for a young actor to join the cast, he was included in the auditions. After auditioning for six months with hundreds of other lads, he was eventually offered the role of Craig Harris at the tender age of 12. He became one of the best-known faces in Britain. But while he enjoyed acting, music was always his first love and he saved up his first few wage packets and bought himself a baby grand piano.

Four years later his appearance on Soapstar Superstar stirred up massive interest in Richard. But despite having offers for everything from documentaries to major record deals on the table after he left Coronation Street in 2006, he took the decision to take some time out. "I didn't want to just sign a quick deal and do an album of covers as there's no longevity in that. I put my foot down. I didn't want to go down the obvious pop route. I would rather have played a piano in a restaurant for the rest of my life than make a record I was embarrassed about. So I faded back for a while and met with everyone who wanted to meet with me - record labels and managers - and eventually after a year I decided I'd found the right team I wanted to work with."

In January Richard started writing songs specifically for his debut album, set for release in November, which has been nine months in the making. It was recorded at West London's famous Kensal Town Studios, where the likes of James Morrison, Ben's Brother and KT Tunstall have also made use of the innovative facilities. "Recording there is a very maverick way of making a record because everything is done almost as live. All the instruments are in the same room and it can all be very raw, which is perfect for my sound," says Richard.

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Richard Fleeshman - Neon