Hailing from Bridgetown, Western Australia, Emily Barker is a compelling songwriter with a gift for weaving folk-inflected melody and beautiful lyrics. Her talent is perfectly complemented by the elegant arrangements of her band The Red Clay Halo, whose ensemble playing underpins Barker’s agile vocal blend of strength and fragility. Together with her band, she has recorded three acclaimed albums: Photos.Fires.Fables. (2006), Despite The Snow (2008) and Almanac (2011). Her song Nostalgia become the Bafta-winning theme tune to BBC One drama Wallander while Pause was the theme for BBC Two’s The Shadow Line.

Five words to describe your music:
Atmospheric, harmonies, honest, poetic, dynamics

One book you’d recommend to an alien:
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Five bands (or albums) that have most influenced you?
Neil Young, Aretha Franklin, Gillian Welch, Low, Lal Waterson.

One Moment In Time You’d Like To Have Witnessed?
Not answered

Five people (living or dead) you’d love to share a stage-jam with:
Patti Smith, Neil Young, Dave Rawlings, Nina Simone, Warren Ellis

One biggest regret in your career (to date):
I am proud to say that I have none!

Five things on your perfect rider:
Puppies, kittens, baby animals in general, Sauna, spa, steam room, pool, Massage therapist, A smorgasbord of local, seasonal delicacies, My husband

One hour to live – who would you spend it with, and why?
Family, husband and closest friends to say thank you for all their support and laughs. I’d also try to fit in a gig so I could say bye to all our fans who’ve been so supportive along the way.

Five perfect songs:
This is what I’m currently listening to…
Young Man in America- Anais Mitchell || Tougher Than The Rest- Bruce Springsteen || For the record- Kathleen Edwards || The Grove- Chuck Ragan || Easter- Patti Smith

One song of yours that you’d most like to be played in 50 years time:
A new song called Letters because it means so much to me.

Emily Barker plays the Union Chapel in London on the 21st November. Visit her website here for details, or purchase music from her Bandcamp page.

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