Emily Barker is a singer songwriter of rare depth and individuality. Her new album, Dear River, is a compelling song cycle that marks an unmistakable watershed in her rapidly burgeoning career.

Full of contrasting dynamics and a broad cavalcade of emotions Dear River is a fascinating exploration of self, place and people which sees Emily blend her own story into the wider joys and sorrows gleaned from her rigorous researches into others’ experiences of travel and emigration.

With Linn and Blue Nile producer Calum Malcolm at the helm, the result is a beautiful, sensitive, provocative and at times surprising album, all the more potent for the immaculate sound quality, gleaned from state-of-the art studios and equipment.

Hailing from Bridgetown, Western Australia, Emily Barker has proven herself to be a compelling songwriter with a gift for weaving melody and words.

She became known to a whole new audience when two of her songs, Nostalgia and Pause, featured as the theme music for the hit BBC TV shows Wallander and The Shadow Line respectively.

Emily’s talent is perfectly complemented by the magnificent arrangements of her band The Red Clay Halo, whose rootsy ensemble playing underpins Barker’s agile vocal blend of strength and fragility.

The Red Clay Halo band consists of Gill Sandell (accordion, harmonium, piano), Jo Silverston (cello) and Anna Jenkins (violin, viola).