TACOMA, WA (CelebrityAccess) — Richard Swift, a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who performed with The Shins and The Arcs, died on July 3rd. He was 41.
Swift’s death was announced via his Facebook page, with a note that said: And all the angels sing “Que Sera Sera” Richard Ochoa Swift March 16, 1977 – July 3, 2018
The cause of Swift’s death was not disclosed. Last month, Pitchfork revealed that he had been hospitalized in Tacoma with a life-threatening illness and said a GoFundMe page had been established to help defray the cost of his medical care.
Swift was the founder and owner of National Freedom, an Oregon-based recording studio where Swift worked as a producer for acts such as The Shins, David Bazan, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Guster.
Swift also played the keyboards and served as a songwriter for indie rock group The Shins from 2011 to 2016 and Dan Auerbach’s garage rock outfit The Arcs. In 2014, he announced that he’d joined The Black Keys as their touring bassist and backup vocalist.
As well, he released a number of solo albums and EPs, including “Richard Swift As Onasis,” “Ground Trouble Jew,” and “Buildings in America.”
He was also an independent filmmaker and actor, appearing in small roles Rick Alverson’s 2012 film “The Comedy” and on television series such as “Eastbound & Down” and “Tim & Eric’s Bedtime Stories.”
