Richard Swift is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and short-film maker. He is the founder, owner, and recording engineer of National Freedom, a recording studio located in Oregon, and has worked as producer for such acts as The Shins, Damien Jurado, Foxygen, Jessie Baylin, Nathaniel Rateliff, The Mynabirds, Wake Owl,  Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab, Gardens & Villa, Cayucas, and Guster. Swift is a member of indie rock band The Shins and also The Arcs. In April 2014, Richard announced via Twitter that he had joined The Black Keys as their touring bassist and background singer.