The Mahindra Blues Festival turned five recently. To commemorate this, the event saw six time Grammy winner Buddy Guy, yet again, alongwith New Bedford-based 15 year old sensation Quinn Sullivan (who Buddy Guy summoned on stage in 2007 and whom he is known to be mentoring), Doyle Bramhall II (best known for playing with Eric Clapton and Roger Waters), Black Crowes axeman Rich Robinson, roots bandleader Nikki Hill and Danish seven-piece Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado. The Indian contingent featured Warren Mendonsa, The Mahindra Blues Show and The True School Blues Experience.

At an exclusive meet and greet a day prior to the festival, we managed to meet up with Rich Richardson to know about his band The Black Crowes and his love for the blues. Here are excerpts from the exclusive.

You are one of the co founders of The Black Crowes? Why did you leave the band to embark on a solo career?

I made a statement about why the band broke up and the statement makes it clear. 

Do you stay in touch with the band members and meet up?

Yes, I stay in touch. 

Going back in time how did the name The Black Crowes come about?

We used to be called Mr Crowes Garden when we started. After several years our sound changed and we wanted a different name to represent us. We did like the Association with Crowes so we kept that. 

You came up with a solo album recently The Ceaseless Sight? How different is it from the sound of Black Crowes and also your other solo albums?

I wrote the music for the Black Crowes and my brother wrote the lyrics. My sound is different in the way that I'm singing and always changing in my influences and experiences that effect my music. However, music is a language and like writers have favorite words and a specific tempo in which they write, I have that same chords and sounds that I go to in my songs. 

What was the thinking behind the title and the artwork for The Ceaseless Sight?

The Ceaseless Sight is about forgetting the past and looking towards the horizon. 

Did you have any particular idea or inspirations before you go to the studio to start a record?

No I let the music dictate what the record will be.

You and your brother Chris have made the popular band The Black Crowes one of the top bands in the music world, who was the main inspiration to join a music career?  We grew up in a very musical household. That was mainly because of my dad. The music we heard growing up is what inspired me to get into music.

What do you enjoy when you’re not working?

I love to paint. My medium is oil, ink, and gold leaf on canvas. 

Have you heard of Indian music?

I've heard a lot of Indian music over the years. I've always been drawn to the feeling and sound it emotes. I have made sounds on a sitar on the last Crowes record. 

What have you heard about India? Is this your first visit here and what memories do you plan to take back?

I have always been interested in India. It is s dream to come here. This is my first time and many memories will accompany me for the rest of my life. 

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira