Personal Details

My Recent Images

Biography

I'm a community based audio/visual artist who lives on Barrow Island in Cumbria, UK. I've worked as an artist, musician, producer, composer and workshop leader for the likes of Sonic Arts Network, Welfare State International, The Sage Gateshead, Youth Music, Whitewood & Fleming, Age Concern, Grizdale Arts, Shoreline Films, The Ashton Group, Connexions, The Word Hoard and Barrow Borough Council.

I'm also an experienced live sound technician and sound recordist and I run Earth Monkey Productions - a non-profit making net label speciallising in experimental electronic music, sound art and spoken work

I have been an active member of the music community in the North of England for over 20 years and still have a passion for playing live since my first gig in 1986, playing bass for indie band The Peach Thieves. I have played all over the UK as bassist for many bands and since 2000 have been gigging as an electronic based musician/sonic artist. This has been alongside working within the community passing on my many musical skills and enthusiasm to people aged 8 to 80. This has seen me working with young rock and pop bands, showing all ages music technology, sound recording and production. and promoting a fair few gigs along the way.

Outside of my commissioned work I am currently playing/recording as:

Clutter (Solo experimental ambient dance)

Good Noise Bad Noise (electroacoustic drone multimedia 4 piece)

The Word Hoard/Orpheo 5 (Jazz/improv/electronics/spoken word)

When Bill Danced The War Just completed work with poet Sarah Murphy and Keith Jafrate

Ascending Coming in 08, with Keith jafrate and Ali Rigg

I am also resident sound man for Tongue Tide a fantastic acoustic based singer songwriter duo, handling live sound and studio recordings for them. We have just completed their new 6 track EP - Why Knot? which is available to buy at their Myspace page

I have been working in the visual field since branching out in 2003. I have been working on my own experimental films as well as being involved in many community projects involving film and multimedia in this time. I have also been messing about with digital photography

Before becoming a freelance audio/visual artist I have in the past worked in a shipyard, a biscuit factory, various shops and offices and been a librarian, as well as trying college for a bit before settling on a career as an musician, because let's face it - I get to sleep in more :- )

Artist Details