“Unleashing Creativity: Richard Upchurch Reveals the Vision Behind ‘Sound Gadgets'”

“Reverse the Curse” sound gadget from Brand New Noise. [Video still: Brand New Noise]

Richard Upchurch
Inventor from Dallas and Founder of Brand New Noise
.…on the motivation behind his Brand New Noise “sound gadgets.” 

Upchurch is the creative force behind the captivating wooden “sound gadgets” produced by Brand New Noise, located in Dallas. By integrating tangible knobs and appealing touch with electronic circuits, his square-shaped devices include Moon Lander “tongue drum” recorders that feature delay effects as well as Reverse the Curse (illustrated above), which is a lo-fi audio recording device equipped with pitch modulation, delay effects, an audio reverse switch, and a continuous loop control.

“I create unusual instruments and inventive sound gadgets suitable for rock stars, toddlers, and everyone in between,” Upchurch states in a video on his website. “Everything I produce at Brand New Noise is crafted to instill joy and foster creative exploration. Each item is meticulously handmade right here in Dallas, Texas. My small team and I handle every aspect: from woodworking to circuit design, filming, and whatever else is needed.”

In a recent feature in Texas Monthly, Upchurch describes Reverse the Curse as a nostalgic nod to one of his early tinkering interests: experimenting with sounds from an album using a record needle. “Even now, it remains one of the most intriguing sounds I’ve encountered,” he shares with TM.

According to TM, Upchurch relocated from Brooklyn to Dallas in 2015 after marrying a local musician, and he portrays Dallas as “a vibrant and flourishing community of art and music.”

It’s not solely children who adore the creations from Brand New Noise, TM notes: Renowned musical artists such as Mick Fleetwood, Patrick Carney of the Black Keys, and Jeff Tweedy of Wilco have also succumbed to their charm. 

“I aspire for all of my creations to exist at the crossroads of tool and toy,” Upchurch elaborates in his website video. “Each item comes with a personal handwritten note and a recorded greeting from me.”

You can discover more about Brand New Noise in the Texas Monthly article here. 

For more statements about all matters concerning North Texas, explore Every Last Word.

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