Richard Chartier is a Los Angeles-based artist who works in the field of minimalist composition. His work could vaguely fit into the world of ambient, but it’s more complex than simply swirling synth pads or blissful soundscapes. As well as recording under his given name, he also works as Pinkcourtesyphone, a project that is according to the artist “more musical” and “dark but not arch, with a slight hint of humour”. He runs the LINE label, which celebrated its 20th year in 2020. This year alone it saw albums from WZRDRYAV, Emra Grid and Tomoko Hojo + Rahel Kraft, as well as Chartier himself. On top of all that, Chartier is a regular collaborator with artists like William Basinski and Taylor Deupree. Finally, or for our purposes at least, he has a monthly show on Dublab entitled Between Two Points, which “explores textures, tones, place, and space, featuring experimental, avant-garde, ambient works from the mid-20th century through to our current time”.

How has 2020 been for you? 

anxiety, fear, contemplation, reassessment, loneliness, creativity.

finding more about what is truly important. 

Between reissues, archival finds, posting images from younger days - You seem to spend a lot of time in the past. What does this process mean to you? 

since I have less design work since the pandemic, I been organizing more than usual, finding things I had forgotten about whether they be files or photos. 

Also LINE turned 20 in 2020. Its been a time of reflection on time. 

I also have become more aware of my age and my experience of releasing work for over 2 decades. I think re-investigating and reassessing your own work as an artist is important to progress. 

This year has seen 10 releases on Line – that seems like a healthy year. How do you see it? 

I had to go back and count. I actually didn’t realize there was 10. I only release things that really move me in some way. There were some great releases this year, and some unexpected additions to the “LINE family”. I think one of the recent one’s Shuta Hiraki’s ‘Circadian Rhythms Vol.1’ has been quite relevant. 

A few releases got bumped to next year. I may need to take a breather in 2021. 

Does your cat contribute to your music? 

We have 3 cats, Stomper, Zero, and Tsuki (aka SKEE-ball). none help me to create, they often get in the way. But its been very nice to have them around. They have become even more loving since this all started.  

The keep me sane while driving me crazy. In March I had to stop volunteering at our local animal shelter due to its closure during the lockdown. I have yet to be able to go back. I truly miss that as it was something that was very centering to me.

What’s your process when it comes to finding music for your radio show? Is it any different from how you approach finding music for the label? 

I buy music, I get promos, friends and cohorts send me things… its a big mix of things. I collect things that are connecting with me during the month in a folder and go from there. Its a much wider sonic net, you could say. Then it all comes together for 2 hours for Dublab. It can be overwhelming, the sheer amount of material I would love to include each month. 

Has anything changed about the people whose music you release, or your approach to finding new artists?  

I used to meet artists at festivals and events, that has happened less and less over the years (especially in 2020).

I have gotten demos from out of the blue that wow me. I just have to keep my ears and eyes open.  

I receive many demos for LINE, but unless its just sent as a form letter/mass email or the music has zero to do with LINE’s aesthetic, I always listen and respond. 

My choices are all subjective based on my ears. 

Have you been collaborating lately? The big question, if so, is how have you approached it given the current situation?  

I am currently working on the next collaboration with Asmus Tietchens. I really have not had lots of opportunities to work artists in a studio other than with Taylor Deupree and William Basinski. Billy and I were going to start working on something new in his studio right as everything started to shut down around world. 

I can be very slow and methodical and detailed so sometimes that is best done alone. So file exchanges work well for how my brain functions. No one wants to sit in a studio with someone like me making incremental changes over and over and over. ha! 

I do love collaborating with people I know and respect. I love when something unexpected happens and the wires of creativity get crossed.

I love the mystery of how others create, so not being in person retains that mystery.  

What’s the difference between Richard and Pinkcourtesyphone? Where is the line? 

Sensation vs Emotion.

Sculptural vs Narrative.

Spatial vs Density. 

that’s a long question with a long history.  

What are your hopes for 2021, if any? 

health, kindness, compassion, community, an end to the cruelty of capitalism, white supremacy, the patriarchy and its hold on this country (and many many others)

a working effective vaccine and a public that embraces it.

Medicare for ALL.

for people to NOT forget what we have all gone through this year as a country, and as a global community.

and change. 

I know, that’s a lot to ask for.

Richard Chartier on Twitter : Bandcamp

Richard Chartier Website

LINE Bandcamp

Photo by Peter Gumaskas