After Richard Swift passed away in July, the music industry was devastated at the heartbreaking loss of yet another influential and multi-talented songwriter to alcoholism. In November, Lucius, who have worked closely with Swift in the past, announced a 7” record series titled The Fug Yep Soundation in memory of Swift and the first installment of that series, Fug Yep No. 1. All the releases will feature two singles which were inspired by or recorded with swift, and the first two songs, “Christmas Time is Here” and “Keep Me Hangin On,” are out as part of Fug Yep No. 1 now.
Jess Wolfe of Lucius said:
“We were on tour in Europe when we lost Richard. We didn’t get to say goodbye face to face. We didn’t get to go to the memorial service. I didn’t get a chance to hear his voice. I only talked to him while he slept, hoping somehow, in his dreams, he was hearing us. We sang to him. We sang to him and it was the worst and best gift we’d ever received. Somehow, pouring out something for someone who has done so much for your musical life, is the only way to cope. This loss really messed us up, as I know it did all of us in the musical community, and we felt the need, the urgency, to make sure to do something about that. What started off as a small idea and a way we could personally (and actively) bring awareness to the disease that is alcoholism/drug addiction in our communities – that which took Swift’s life – has now grown into a larger concept, a commitment, bound together by many of Swift’s closest friends and collaborators, with a goal to share in these efforts. We made up a name for the whole thing from a phrase Swift coined. It’s called THE FUG YEP SOUNDATION; a 7” record series, with each release featuring 2 songs from close friends & collaborators of Swift.”
All releases in the series will feature original artwork from Swift, and all artist profits from The Fug Yep Soundation go to MusiCares, the charitable wing of the Recording Academy, who helped Swift with many of his medical bills throughout his struggle with addiction, as well as Music Support UK who do similar work for musicians in Britain. You can stream/download the song everywhere, or purchase a physical 7” vinyl record from The Fug Yep Soundation website today.