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Biography:
Miranda Lee Richards was born in San Francisco to comic book artists Ted and Teresa Richards, and grew up in the underground comic book scene.

R. Crumb was her de facto godfather and Richards knew by high school that she wanted to be an artist. "It was a pretty crazy lifestyle to be exposed to at such a young age," according to Richards, but one that had a profound effect on her. After high school, Richards enrolled at San Francisco City College where a friend introduced her to Kirk Hammett of Metallica, who gave her advice about the music industry as well as guitar lessons. It was in Hammett's basement that Richards recorded for the first time. The Brian Jonestown Massacre heard that demo and invited her to sing with the band, which she did for six months. When asked to tour with the band, Richards declined, stating, "I love this sort of psychedelic, bass-like, Velvet Underground folky stuff, but these guys are so crazy. It was just going to be a rock && roll circus, but in the worst way." Miranda Lee Richards remained close with the band and co-wrote &"(You Better Love Me) Before I Am Gone" on Give It Back (1997) and wrote &"Reign On" on their Bringing It All Back Home Again EP (1999). In 1995 she also met Charles Mehling and Randy Billings, who both play on her debut record. Initially, however, Miranda Lee Richards was not to be the singer in their Gram Parsons-inspired country-rock outfit. After living in a tent on a friend's yard in Los Angeles, Richards befriended a producer who guided her through a second demo recording session that secured her management. Richards' connection to the Brian Jonestown Massacre helped her gain indie rock cred in L.A. and also strengthened her desire to translate artistic integrity into mainstream accessibility. Miranda Lee Richard's debut album, The Herethereafter, was released by Virgin Records in August 2001. While softer and more delicate than anything by BJM, her debut is heavily influenced by the music of the '60s and alternative sensibilities. The Herethereafter features contributions from many well-known L.A. musicians, including Jon Brion (producer of the Magnolia soundtrack, Aimee Mann, and Rufus Wainwright), Matt Chamberlin (drummer from the Smashing Pumpkins), Patrick Warren (chamberlin on albums by Fiona Apple and Tracy Chapman), David Campbell (string arrangements for Aerosmith), and members of L.A.'s Beachwood Sparks. Miranda Lee Richards adds folk and country tints to neo-psychedelic indie rock with vocals similar to Edie Brickell or Karen Peris of the Innocence Mission. JT Griffith, All Music Guide