The Return of Randall Richardson

The ides of March are indeed upon us, and they are bringing with them a familiar face: Almas jack of all trades and all around hype man Randy Richardson.

And boy is the professional percussionist excited to be coming back the USA. After a couple years honing his chops, drawing influences, and finding himself in Luoyang, China, Richardson is set to make his triumphant return across the pond in mid-March. A road trip up the West Coast from California is due in short order. He is set to arrive home in Portland, Oregon on the 17th.

With his return comes the air of a changed man. In fact a lot of things have changed recently for Randy. A couple of years half way around the world will do that to you. Since his last stint in the States he has settled down with his lovely wife Sabrina, played drums with a local Chinese group, traveled around Southeast Asia and became a mainstay teaching English at the Joy Children's Language School in the Henan province.

But the more things seem to change, the more they stay the same. In conversations, he is still the same fun-loving goofball that we last saw playing tambourines and bongoes at bonfires and Almas shows. When asked about how he felt about his return he said "It's gonna be sick... So glad I'm getting back to the states."

And just maybe his return will bring some renewed energy to the Almas as well. They are known to take these influences and life events in stride and use them as inspiration for creating new music.

Ever the fiery hype man, "You ready to jam out?," Randy prods knowingly. As if he had to ask. The Almas are back.