# Emily Barker

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For the British dancer and choreographer, see [Emily Barker (dancer)](/source/Emily_Barker_(dancer)). For the American disability rights activist and artist, see [Emily Barker (artist)](/source/Emily_Barker_(artist)).

Emily Barker Emily Barker at Lottes Musiknacht 2018 Background information Born (1980-12-02) 2 December 1980 (age 45) Origin Bridgetown, Western Australia, Australia Genres Americana country folk Occupations Musician singer-songwriter composer Instruments Vocals guitar banjo harmonica piano Years active 2003–present Labels Everyone Sang Linn One Little Indian Website www.emilybarker.com

Musical artist

**Emily Barker** (born 2 December 1980)[1][2] is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician and composer. Her music has featured as the theme to BBC dramas *[Wallander](/source/Wallander_(British_TV_series))* and *[The Shadow Line](/source/The_Shadow_Line_(TV_series))*. With multi-instrumental trio the Red Clay Halo, she recorded four albums: *Photos.Fires.Fables.* (2006), *Despite the Snow* (2008), *Almanac* (2011), *Dear River* (2013), before commencing a solo career with *The Toerag Sessions* (2015), *[Sweet Kind of Blue](/source/Sweet_Kind_of_Blue)* (2017), *A Dark Murmuration of Words* (2020), and *Flight Path Rhymes* (2021). Other projects include Vena Portae (with Dom Coyote and Ruben Engzell), Applewood Road (with [Amy Speace](/source/Amy_Speace) and [Amber Rubarth](/source/Amber_Rubarth)), and *Room 822* (2022) with Lukas Drinkwater.[3]

## Career

### 2002–2005: The Low Country

Emily travelled to the UK in 2002, and was first based in [Cambridge](/source/Cambridge) where she collaborated with guitarist Rob Jackson. They formed a band called The Low Country which released two albums, *Welcome to the-low-country* (2003) and *The Dark Road* (2004), tracks from which enjoyed plays on [John Peel](/source/John_Peel)'s BBC radio show.[4]

In 2005 Emily won Country Song of the Year and Regional Song of the Year awards at the annual [West Australian Music Songwriting Awards](/source/WAM_Song_of_the_Year).

### 2006–2013: Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo

In 2006, Barker released her first solo album, *Photos. Fires. Fables.* before releasing albums under the alias Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo.

Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo filming the video for "Little Deaths"

The song "Pause - The Shadow Line" from *Almanac* was the theme tune for a major 2011 [BBC2](/source/BBC_Two) drama serial, *[The Shadow Line](/source/The_Shadow_Line_(TV_series))* and received a physical release. Martin Phipps again adapted the song for the title sequence.[5]

In 2012, Barker recorded a new version of "Fields of June", which had first appeared on *Photos.Fires.Fables.* and was released as a limited 7-inch white vinyl on [Xtra Mile Recordings](/source/Xtra_Mile_Recordings).

In July 2013, *Dear River* was released, charting at 99 in the official [UK Albums chart](/source/UK_Albums_chart).[6] [Will Hodgkinson](/source/Will_Hodgkinson) from *[The Times](/source/The_Times)* gave the album a four out of five star review, saying it contained "heartfelt songwriting... bridging the gap between folk, country and [Fleetwood Mac](/source/Fleetwood_Mac)".[7]

### 2014-present: Solo success

In 2014, Barker worked with Dom Coyote and Ruben Engzell and created Vena Portae.

In 2015, release the EP *Anywhere Away* which was the soundtrack to the UK movie *[Hector](/source/Hector_(2015_film))*, released in December 2015.[8]

In May 2017, Barker released *[Sweet Kind of Blue](/source/Sweet_Kind_of_Blue)* which peaked at number 88 on the UK Albums Chart.

In 2020, Barker released *A Dark Murmuration of Words*. This album was inspired by a concern with the impact of climate change on the natural world. Barker explained, "Last year the climate crisis was very much at the forefront of all of our conversations and thoughts, wondering what we can do to adapt, and feeling helpless and guilty and angry and upset and all these things."[9]

In an interview with Bernard Zuel, Emily Barker elaborated saying, "It was really a response to a lot of what was going on in 2019 with the collective awakening of the environmental crisis. And it was terrifying. It's something that I'd been aware of before, and I was brought up by parents who were very conscious of that anyway, but I think a lot of people really looked at the personal impact in a big way and started realising the scale of this emergency. It's so hard to compute but for me, writing songs helps me to make sense of things that I can't process."[10]

In 2020, Barker covered the [Billy Bragg](/source/Billy_Bragg) song "Can't Be There Today" as part of a campaign to save musical venues during the COVID-19 crisis.[11]

In 2021, Barker released an alternative version of *A Dark Murmuration of Words* in 2021 – called *Flight Path Rhymes*. She discussed the reworking of the album saying "Recording *A Dark Murmuration of Words* was a wonderful immersive experience that involved my live band and multiple conversations with producer Greg Freeman. It was only as the album was coming together that I realised how all the songs intertwined...how, despite their different subjects, there was an underlying theme that tied them all together."[12]

In January 2022, Emily Barker and Lukas Drinkwater released an album of covers called *Room 822*.

## Discography

### Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions UK [13] UK Indie [13] Credited as The Low Country (with Rob W. Jackson) Welcome To... Released: 2003 Label: Now Recordings (NOW2003CD) Formats: CD — — The Dark Road Released: 2004 Label: the-low-country (LOW-CO-02) Formats: CD — — Credited as Emily Barker Photos. Fires. Fables. Released: 2006 Label: Iguana Productions (IP006) / Everyone Sang (ES2007) Formats: CD, digital download — — Credited as Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo Despite the Snow Released: 2008 Label: Walking Horse (WALK002) / Everyone Sang (ES2008) Formats: CD, digital download, LP (2016) — — Almanac Released: 2011 Label: Walking Horse (WALK015) / Everyone Sang (ES2011) Formats: CD, LP, digital download — 37 Dear River Released: July 2013 Label: Linn Records (AKD 505) Formats: 2xCD, LP, digital download 99 23 Credited as Vena Portae (with Dom Coyote and Ruben Engzell) Vena Portae Released: August 2014 Label: Humble Soul Records (HS418CD) Formats: 2xCD, LP, digital download —[A] 26 Credited as Emily Barker The Toerag Sessions Released: April 2015 Label: Everyone Sang (ES143) Formats: CD, CD+DVD, digital download — 25 Credited as Applewood Road (with Amber Rubarth and Amy Speace) Applewood Road Released: February 2016 Label: Gearbox (GB1531CD) Formats: CD, LP, digital download —[B] 19 Credited as Emily Barker Sweet Kind of Blue Released: May 2017 Label: Everyone Sang (ES153) Formats: CD, 2xCD, LP, digital download 83 11 A Window to Other Ways (with Marry Waterson) Released: April 2019 Label: One Little Indian (TPLP1482) Formats: CD, LP, digital download —[C] — A Dark Murmuration of Words Released: September 2020 Label: Everyone Sang (ES158) Formats: CD, LP, digital download —[D] 7 Flight Path Rhymes Released: 2021 Label: Everyone Sang (ES159) Formats: CD, digital download Note: an alternative version of A Dark Murmuration of Words — — Room 822 (with Lukas Drinkwater) Released: January 2022 Label: Emily Barker and Lukas Drinkwater Formats: digital download Recorded during hotel quarantine in Room 822 at The Westin, Perth. — — Fragile As Humans Released: May 2024 Label: Everyone Sang (ES163) Formats: CD, LP, digital download —[E] 13

### Live albums

List of live albums, with selected chart positions Title Details Credited as Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo Live At Swindon Arts Centre Released: 2014 Label: Emily Barker Formats: digital download Recorded November 2011 Credited as Emily Barker Live At Brunel Goods Shed Released: October 2022 Label: Everyone Sang (ES160) Formats: CD, digital download Recorded November 2020

### Compilations

List of compilation albums, with selected chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions UK [13] UK Indie [13] Credited as Emily Barker Shadow Box Released: November 2019 Label: Everyone Sang (ES157CD) Formats: CD, digital download Compiles Songs Beneath The River, 5x tracks Live At Union Chapel and 7x tracks Pebbles, Shells And Other Memories — [F] 32

### Extended Plays

List of EPs, with selected chart positions Title Details Peak chart positions UK Indi [13] Four Songs Released: 2005 Label: digital download Formats: CD Note: UK Promotional release — Credited as Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo Despite the Snow Released: July 2012 Label: Everyone Sang (ES141) Formats: CDr, digital download, 10" LP (2014 RSD exclusive) 38 Credited as Emily Barker Coffee Released: February 2013 Label: Everyone Sang Formats: digital download Note: Originally recorded to accompany the Square Mile-roasted Dear River coffee beans sold on the Dear River UK tour. — Credited as Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo Songs Beneath the River Released: 2014[17] Label: Everyone Sang (ES141V) Formats: 10″ Vinyl (limited edition) — Credited as Emily Barker Anywhere Away Released: 2015 Label: Everyone Sang Formats: CD, digital download Note: Recorded as soundtrack to Hector —

### Charted singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions Title Year Chart positions Album UK Physical [13] Credited as Emily Barker and The Red Clay Halo "Pause - The Shadow Line" 2011 [G] Almanac Credited as Emily Barker and The Red Clay "Fields of June" 2012 24

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** *Vena Portae* did not enter the Official Charts top 100, but peaked at number 89 on the Physical Albums Chart.[14]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** *Applewood Road* did not enter the Official Charts top 100, but peaked at number 99 on the Physical Albums Chart.[15]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** *A Window to Other Ways* did not enter the Official Charts top 100, but peaked at number 77 on the Physical Albums Chart.[16]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** *A Dark Murmuration of Words* did not enter the Official Charts top 100, but peaked at number 23 on the Physical Albums Chart.[13]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** *Fragile As Humans* did not enter the Official Charts top 100, but peaked at number 36 on the Physical Albums Chart.[13]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** *Shadow Box* did not enter the Official Charts top 100, but peaked at number 6 on the Americana Chart.[13]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** "Pause - The Shadow Line" did not enter the Official Charts top 100, but peaked at number 15 on the Independent Single Chart.[18]

## Awards and nominations

### Environmental Music Prize

The [Environmental Music Prize](/source/Environmental_Music_Prize) is a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation. It commenced in 2022.[19]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref. 2025 "Feathered Thing" Environmental Music Prize Nominated [20][21]

### WAM Song of the Year

The [WAM Song of the Year](/source/WAM_Song_of_the_Year) was formed by the Western Australian Rock Music Industry Association Inc. (WARMIA) in 1985, with its main aim to develop and run annual awards recognising achievements within the music industry in Western Australia.[22][23][24]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only) 2005 "Lord I Want an Exit" Country Song of the Year Won "Lord I Want an Exit" Regional Song of the Year Won

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Emily Barker discography"](https://rateyourmusic.com/artist/emily_barker). *Rateyourmusic.com*. Retrieved 18 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Masterpiece | Wallander"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101018070759/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/wallander/barker.html). *pbs.org*. Archived from [the original](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/wallander/barker.html) on 18 October 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Barton, Laura (3 November 2015). ["The playlist – Americana: Bird Dog, Israel Nash and more"](https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/nov/03/the-playlist-americana-bird-dog-israel-nash-long-beard). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Rob Jackson & the Low Country"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111225180428/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr03/articles/readerzone0403.asp). Archived from [the original](http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Apr03/articles/readerzone0403.asp) on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 2010-10-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** McCormick, Neil (1 August 2013). ["Emily Barker – Letters, exclusive live session"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130824023454/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/musicvideo/10211067/Emily-Barker-Letters-exclusive-live-session.html). *The Daily Telegraph*. London. Archived from [the original](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturevideo/musicvideo/10211067/Emily-Barker-Letters-exclusive-live-session.html) on 24 August 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Official Singles Chart Top 100 – Official Charts Company"](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20130714/131/). *[Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Hodgkinson, Will (6 July 2013). "The Times".

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Hector – Trailer – Cast & Crew – About – Cinemas"](http://hector.film). *Hector.film*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-auto1_9-0)** ["Amid Climate Crisis, Emily Barker Brings 'A Dark Murmuration of Words' to Light"](https://thebluegrasssituation.com/read/amid-climate-crisis-emily-barker-brings-a-dark-murmuration-of-words-to-light/). *The Bluegrass Situation*. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-auto_10-0)** Zuel, Bernard (17 August 2020). ["EMERGENCY SERVICES: EMILY BARKER'S PLOT TO SAVE THE WORLD"](https://www.bernardzuel.net/post/emergency-services-emily-barker-s-plot-to-save-the-world). *bernardzuel*. Retrieved 21 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Can't Be There Today (Billy Bragg), by Emily Barker"](https://relayuk.bandcamp.com/track/cant-be-there-today-billy-bragg). *Relay*. Retrieved 21 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Flight Path Rhymes, by Emily Barker"](https://emilybarker.bandcamp.com/album/flight-path-rhymes). *Emily Barker*. Retrieved 21 January 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-UK_Charts_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-UK_Charts_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-UK_Charts_13-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-UK_Charts_13-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-UK_Charts_13-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-UK_Charts_13-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-UK_Charts_13-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-UK_Charts_13-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-UK_Charts_13-8) ["Emily Barker on Official Charts"](https://www.officialcharts.com/search/Emily%20Barker/). *[Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company)*. January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Vena Portae at Official Charts"](https://www.officialcharts.com/search/Vena%20Portae/). *[Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company)*. January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Applewood Road at Official Charts"](https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/applewood-road-applewood-road/). *[Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company)*. January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Marry Waterson & Emily Barker at Official Charts"](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/55347/marry-waterson-and-emily-barker/). *[Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company)*. January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Emily Barker – Record Store Day EP (Exclusive Video) – Folk Radio"](http://www.folkradio.co.uk/2014/04/emily-barker-record-store-day-exclusive-video/). *Folkradio.co.uk*. 8 April 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Emily Barker and The Rad Clay Halo at Official Charts"](https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/24515/emily-barker-the-red-clay-halo/). *[Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company)*. January 2026. Retrieved 6 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Environmental Music Prize Searches for Green Theme Song"](https://themusicnetwork.com/environmental-music-prize-search/). *The Music Network*. May 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-enviromusicAward2025noms_27-0)** ["Finalists announced for 2025 Environmental Music Prize"](https://www.netimes.com.au/2025/12/07/finalists-announced-for-2025-environmental-music-prize-including-powerful-bushfire-tribute-up-armidale-road/). *New England Times*. 7 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2025_EMA_noms_28-0)** ["Environmental Music Prize announces 30 finalists championing climate action"](https://mixdownmag.com.au/news/environmental-music-prize-announces-30-finalists-championing-climate-action/). *Mix Down Mag*. 8 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** ["2006 WAM Song of the Year Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080725092704/http://www.intersector.wa.gov.au/article_view.php?article_id=350&article_main=24). *[InterSector](/source/InterSector)*. Western Australian State Government. 2006. Archived from [the original](http://intersector.wa.gov.au/article_view.php?article_id=350&article_main=24) on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["WAM Song of the Year:The 2008 Winners!"](http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/news/APRAAMCOSnews/WAMSongoftheYear2008TheWinners!.aspx). [Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA)](/source/Australasian_Performing_Right_Association). 13 October 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WAMSotY2013_31-0)** ["Song of the Year Award Winners 2013"](https://wam.org.au/song-of-the-year-award-winners-2013/). *WAM*. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2021.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.emilybarker.com)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States Czech Republic Artists MusicBrainz 2 Other IdRef

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Emily Barker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Barker) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Barker?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.