This page brings together selected examples of my previous work, live performance practice and current tool-based R&D. These examples show some of the musical language, live systems and custom-built tools that will be developed through the proposed Project Grants activity.

Biography

Kirk Barley is a Yorkshire-born composer, producer and sound artist, also known for his earlier work as Bambooman and as one half of Church Andrews & Matt Davies. His work explores field recordings, instrumental fragments, found sounds, digital synthesis, algorithmic processes, alternate tunings and irregular rhythms, creating detailed music that moves between acoustic texture and electronic form.

Under his own name, Barley has released music on 33-33, Odda, Marionette and his own Health imprint, developing a sound world shaped by close listening, tactile processing, unusual tunings and shifting rhythmic structures. His solo work has been performed across the UK, Europe, Canada and Thailand, including Waking Life, Wonderfruit, Meakusma and Cafe Oto.

As Bambooman, Barley released multiple records through Matthew Herbert’s Accidental and developed an early practice around found sound, field recording, sample manipulation and rhythmically detailed electronic composition. This period helped establish many of the ideas that continue into his current work: using everyday and recorded sound as musical material, combining acoustic detail with electronic systems, and building tracks from small fragments, textures and irregular grooves. His Bambooman work led to mixes for Ninja Tune’s Solid Steel, an interview with Gilles Peterson on BBC Radio 6 Music, international performances at festivals including MUTEK Montréal, Outlook and Dimensions, and support slots with artists including MF DOOM, Madlib, Pete Rock, Moodymann and Jon Hopkins.

With Church Andrews & Matt Davies, Barley develops rhythm-focused music through live electronics, analogue percussion, digital synthesis and algorithmic techniques. The duo have appeared at Rewire, Waking Life, Meakusma and Tamsta Jazz Festival, filmed live sessions for Fact Magazine, Worldwide FM and Slate + Ash, and had their music played by Aphex Twin, Thom Yorke and Gilles Peterson.

Across these projects, Barley’s practice reflects a sustained interest in texture, tuning, rhythm and atmosphere, moving between detailed studio composition, exploratory electronic systems and dynamic live performance.

Selected press