- Born
- James Edward Barker is an award-winning British composer, music producer and film producer. Much of his work uses layers of live sonic experimentation, and grandiose classical motifs with shapeshifting cluster chords, and driving alternative percussion. Although being self taught from a young age of 9, Barker was classically trained at Newcastle University in the UK; and is a relation of the prolific1960s British film composer, Benjamin Frankel (Night Of The Iguana, Battle Of The Bulge).
Much of his youth was spent developing his skills as a guitarist, and furthering his understanding of wider production techniques. He spent many years performing as lead guitarist and touring with rock band Revere, signed to V2 records (playing with bands such as Simple Kid, Maximo Park and The Futureheads) and as guitarist, vocalist and keyboard player with his electronic collective, Liberation Jumpsuit (playing with acts such as Nicky Blackmarket, Andy C, The Orb) who had a residency for a number of years at Ginglik Club in London. It was during this time that Barker started experimenting with the Brit Award winning music producer, Charlie Andrew, a childhood friend of his and Charlie would continue to work on many of James' scores as either recordist, mixer or producer. Barker also works with music producer and mixer, James Loughrey (Skindred).
In 2004, James left both acts and started composing for commercials with fellow composer, Tim Despic, and in 2005 they received their first break in the world of film composing from Uk Producer, Neil Peplow, on the $11m romantic comedy, The Best Man, starring Stuart Townsend, Amy Smart and Seth Green. Since then Barker has composed on over 30 feature films, including recently the Award Winning, Lean On Pete, Directed by Andrew Haigh (Weekend, 45 Years), which James won Best Original Score for at the 2017 Les Arcs Film Festival.
Influenced by an eclectic mix of genres, James has composed for almost every facet of music. He is a multi-instrumentalist, performing as a guitarist, percussionist, pianist and vocalist, as well as working with a variety of alternative instruments from all around the world. He is highly skilled in designing his own electronic equipment, including modifying and adapting vintage guitar pedals and synths to enhance the contemporary edge on his work.
- IMDb mini biography by: GSA
- Performed all the score for Crack Willow using multiple vintage analog guitar effects that he collected. The main track was compiled by recording a rare early 1980s pedal, Morley Pik Percussion, which he re-modified and had to be played with a metal plectrum acting as the coil.
- Performed all the male vocals for the score for Extraordinary Rendition and also on the climatic end piece with a female vocalist, which he recorded in an abandoned church. He also sought out a six string Thai saw Duang, on which he performed some of the haunting sounds on alongside the dilruba and hammered dulcimer.
- Performed the score for Psych: 9 with a 64-piece orchestra in Prague at the CNSO studio. On the score, James played a wide range of instruments including the hammered dulcimer, dilruba, vocals, piano, timpani and glockenspiel. He was also asked to write the haunting melody for the little girl, which he composed out of multiple detuned music boxes.
- Related to film composer Benjamin Frankel.
- Performed the score for 'The Crew' with a mixture of live strings and singing bowls (which were miked up through distortion and delay pedals). Female vocals were performed by the same vocalist that he used for 'Extraordinary Rendition'.
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