Meet Richard Raymond II | Record Producer, Musician and Spiritual Nut

We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Raymond II and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard Raymond II, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Whether we’re talking artistic risks, or life risks, I try to embrace risk as much as possible. As an artist, I’ve always tried to lean into discomfort and I’ve carried that philosophy into my now marriage as well. My wife, Sammy, and I decided to move from Illinois to Colorado in May of 2020, even though we had been dating for less than a year. We also decided to get pregnant before getting married, despite some bumps in the road of our relationship, and now have a lovely, 4.5 month old daughter, Dorthy. In addition to moving across the country together, we both took business leaps at that time, electing not to find full time work here in Colorado in favor of attempting to freelance full time. I spent a lot of my first year delivering for DoorDash, but I’ve been Dash-free for over 6 months now and have been managing to support myself entirely off of my own business as a record producer and podcast editor.

To sum it up, I believe fear to be a byproduct of risk, and I believe fear to be a universal emotion. Those who find success and fulfillment in life are not exempt from fear, they just don’t let it stop them from moving forward. If you lean in to risk, or fear, take the necessary action steps and spend a great deal of time imagining the life you want to be living, you’ll be surprised what you’re capable of experiencing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
From 18-25, I was solely focused on developing as a musician and producer. I recorded whenever I could, always soaking up new knowledge about production and my instruments, from youtube. I primarily released music under the name Lime Forest and released about 5 albums worth of material, 99% of which I completed entirely on my own. Though I’m not sure I’d recommend the same path to others, I’m glad it’s the one that I took. It’s allowed me to arrive at a place where I can now help others produce their own music and use my engineering and audio workstation skills to help me earn a living, all from the comfort of my own home. I don’t play or record anywhere near the frequency of which I used to, but I’m able to do much more with the time that I do have. I also feel much more balanced & fulfilled and I have a life partner and daughter to enjoy the ride of life with.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting the Springs for the first time, we would have to hike at North Cheyenne Canyon, check out Garden of the Gods, catch a show at Lulu’s downstairs, grab a bite at the Rabbit Hole, Carter Payne and Skirted Heifer. Pop through downtown Manitou Springs, maybe hit the salt baths there, grab a brew at the Ivywild School and walk around Old Colorado City.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to thank Soulfire Productions, the podcast production company that’s been my primary employer over the last 6+ months. I’ve learned an immense amount about life, business and spirituality through working with their clients, whom are primarily life/business coaches, plant-medicine enthusiasts and nutritionists. Consistently hearing the beautiful, motivating messages of their shows has been a steady stream of motivational fuel for me to pour into my own life, marriage and art.

Instagram: @richard_raymond_ii @yourdads_old45s

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClgbJFWCBGDg79QQYJz2cog

Image Credits
Glimmers Artwork: Sammy Conrad All other photos: Keoni Gross