Richard Koechli

Richard Koechli is a Swiss roots musician, singer-songwriter, and guitarist known for blending Blues, Country, Folk, and Rock influences into his music. With a career spanning over three decades, he has released 10 albums and collaborated with well-known artists like Larry Garner, Greg Koch, and Philipp Fankhauser. His style is often praised for its laid-back, soulful vibe reminiscent of J.J. Cale and Mark Knopfler. Beyond performing, Koechli is an accomplished author of guitar instruction books and music-historical novels, winning awards such as the Swiss Blues Award in 2013 and the Swiss Film Award for best soundtrack in 2014. He regularly performs solo and with his band, The Blue Roots Company, across Switzerland and France.

Beginning as a guitarist and instrumental composer, Koechli transitioned into a singer-songwriter role with the 2008 album "laid-back," showcasing his mastery of slide guitar and singing in both French and English. His deep respect for traditional blues is reflected in albums like "Howlin' with the bad boys" and live recordings that honor Afro-American folk blues pioneers. Richard’s music is characterized by passion, depth, and a relaxed groove, connecting influences from Blind Willie Johnson to Randy Newman. He has also contributed significantly to the blues community with his books, including the award-winning "Masters of Blues Guitar," and is currently known for producing varied roots music that embraces blues, folk, soul, and jazz elements.

Genres

Celtic Rock

Blues

Blues Rock

Related Artists

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Buddy Guy

Eric Clapton

Joe Bonamassa

Johnny Winter

Bon Iver

Sufjan Stevens

Jimi Hendrix

Ben Howard

Fleet Foxes

Iron & Wine

José González

Latest Release

Holy Mother (solo one-take recording)

Richard Koechli

Single - Released April 18, 2025