Garfunklr 2023

January 3, 2023

My 2022 in reading.

August 7, 2022

UMG’s Abbey Road Masters series presents Acoustic Underscores, an inspiring mix of optimistic acoustic tracks.

April 20, 2022

Delicate and reflective contemporary classical pieces performed by London Contemporary Orchestra in Abbey Road, Studio 2.

March 31, 2022

An old camera, some black and white film, strange structures of rural Derbyshire and some spontaneous sound sketches inspired by them.

January 2, 2022

What do you get when you combine Art Garfunkel with OG photo-sharing service Flickr? Garfunklr. But why?

January 1, 2022

My year in reading.

June 22, 2021

Short film with soundtrack, part of Paul Kenny’s solo gallery show ‘Seaworks’

June 5, 2021

Piano co-write with Lamplighter becomes new single with Ed Scissor on High Focus Records + stunning video.

April 1, 2021

Long out of print debut album from my band Crash of Rhinos is back on coloured vinyl for its tenth anniversary.

February 11, 2021

Limited Edition double-vinyl reissue of the two albums by my first proper band.

February 6, 2021

matterlightblooming tracks get remix treatment from cinematic hardcore band Rolo Tomassi and wonder-trio Haiku Salut.

January 1, 2021

My year in reading.

October 16, 2020

My new album matterlightblooming is out worldwide today. Pick your favourite buying/streaming platform from here, or buy CD editions direct from Reveal Records Store. Buy/Stream Buy CD

September 15, 2020

I’m over the moon to announce my new album matterlightblooming. Recorded with the London Contemporary Orchestra at London’s Angel Studios, plus a string quartet and grand piano at Air Edel, it’s the biggest thing I’ve ever made. The first single Matter is available to stream everywhere from today, and pre-orders start on Bandcamp and the […]

July 24, 2020

Over the last couple of years I’ve been at Abbey Road Studios a fair bit recording production music (for use in TV and Film) with the London Contemporary Orchestra. I’m super proud of all the work we’ve done there. Not only do I have to pinch myself every time I walk through the door (or […]

July 17, 2020

Avant-folk guitarist Ian Carr is a really unique and wonderful musician and composer. Last year’s album I Like Your Taste In Music is brilliant. Reveal Records are releasing a remix single featuring me and GRIP TIGHT. It’s up for pre-order on Bandcamp today, and out fully next Friday. Listen to my remix below. I Like […]

July 10, 2020

Last summer the virtuoso pianist Shane Thomas came to my studio for a few days to work on some of his compositions on my felted piano, with me as his producer. The result is the four song EP Without A Lion which is out now on Bucks Records.

March 28, 2020

I spent an hour in the studio this afternoon, 28th March 2020…Piano Day. I laid down this piece that I’ve been working on recently. It’s called Rekindle… HAPPY PIANO DAY!

January 12, 2020

Songwriter Dan Whitehouse has announced his new double album ‘Dreamland Tomorrow’, due out Spring 2020 on Reveal Records. I co-wrote/performed/recorded a track called ‘The Exit’ – a dreamscape of piano, vocal harmonies and synths. Congrats to Dan on completing an epic new record!

January 1, 2020

My year in reading.

December 15, 2019

Abbey Road Masters tracks used in popular French TV series

November 22, 2019

Here’s a half-hour playlist I’ve made of music that has really captured how it feels in the Amber Valley/Derbyshire Dales at this time of year. Stark and beautiful, threatening and welcoming. A real season of opposites. Most days I’m in the studio with the SAD lamp on, and when I listen to this set of […]

September 11, 2019

Abbey Road Masters have released a new production music album of Widescreen Indie, featuring five of my tracks produced at Abbey Road’s Gatehouse Studio. It features acoustic guitars, piano, vocal harmonies and the London Contemporary Orchestra session string quartet. Listen at Universal Production Music. We made the album in six consecutive three-hour sessions across two […]

June 10, 2019

Yesterday Jon McGregor and I played in the Jarvis Cocker and Jeremy Deller curated Be Kinder tent at Edale Village Fair. Edale is one of my favourite spots on planet earth, so to play there was super nice…especially with Jarvis and Jeremy pottering around and DJ-ing full-length Neil Young & Crazy Horse wig-outs through the […]

November 23, 2018

BAFTA long-listed, Edith starring Peter Mullan and Michelle Fairley explores the heartbreaking inevitability that is old age.

October 30, 2018

Working with technologist Tom Armitage to create a communal surround-sound soundtrack for Jon McGregor’s book tour.

October 24, 2018

Official Soundtrack to the Costa Novel of the Year 2017

October 22, 2018

I’m proud to be part of Abbey Road Masters – the highest quality music for film and TV recorded, mixed and mastered at the world famous Abbey Road Studios.

August 23, 2018

The final live band show of the Reservoir 13 book reading tour.

August 5, 2018

More production music recording at Abbey Road Studio 2…

June 23, 2018

Richard J. Birkin scores new podcast about the island of Rockall.

June 8, 2018

The soundtrack to Paulo Sorrentino’s new film LORO including Richard’s piano piece Vigil V

April 26, 2018

Richard’s track ‘Vigil VI’ is the soundtrack to the BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime version of Jon McGregor’s novel Reservoir 13 (Costa Novel of the Year 2018).

April 6, 2018

The third Grawl!x album is out today, featuring string quartet arrangements by Richard J. Birkin

February 1, 2018

Jon McGregor’s novel wins Costa Novel of the Year 2017.

January 24, 2018

Recording production music with LCO at Abbey Road Studio 2…

October 3, 2017

‘Vigil I’ to be the main theme for Jon McGregor’s new 15 part series on BBC Radio 4.

September 21, 2017

Richard composes the soundtrack for a second CNN Great Big Story directed by James Sharpe.

September 15, 2017

String arrangements for the new album by Grawl!x, and recording with Sinfonia Viva players.

December 2, 2016

Video of a live studio performance of a track from Richard’ acclaimed album ‘Vigils’

November 16, 2016

Richard composes the soundtrack for a CNN Great Big Story.