Austin Architect Richard Weiss has been instrumental in shaping entertainment brands like Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas and the Comedy Mothership. Growing up in Miami Beach, Weiss was raised in Art Deco Cinemas, with a passion for music and film. He fused those interests into a career designing movie theaters, music venues, bars/restaurants, and even the Collings guitar factory.
After graduating from Beach High, Stevie Ray Vaughan’s siren cry lured Weiss to Texas. In between Rice University and real life, he formed Austin’s Best Pop Band (1994-95) Mr. Rocket Baby, playing SXSW(4x) and living in a Ford Econoline van for 3 years on tour.
In 1997 he hung up his cape, right when his college friend Tim League started Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, a partnership that has spanned 4 decades. Awesome work and family ruled the next 17 years, but in 2014 he saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway and immediately formed the Sideways Grimace, a fully-costumed tribute that christened the Highball in Austin and awoke a dormant drive to perform.
Weiss Architecture works nationwide, recently completing the Music Box Theatre in Chicago and Metro Private Cinema in New York. Meanwhile, Richard’s alter-ego Starkitect is plotting to fight the forces of evil and time with the most powerful weapon he possesses…
3-minute pop songs.
Feeling increasingly helpless with the world, Weiss chose songwriting over therapy and formed Starkitect with Austin all-stars Chris Nine (Vocals/Percussion/Keyboards), Phil McJunkins (Guitars/Pedal Steel), Matt Patterson (Drums/Vocals), and punk icon Chepo Pena on Bass.
Post Peak Power Pop!, produced by 4-time Grammy Winner Jacob Sciba (Gary Clark Jr.) at the historic Arlyn Studios, is a musical adventure about keeping it all together in the face of corruption, greed, and artificial influence.
“Crimes against humanity are one thing, but crimes against architecture is where I draw the line.”
Time to put the cape back on…Join me.
