Abbey Road Masters: Acoustic Underscores

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

Abbey Road Masters: Intimate Score

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

Polaroid Soundtracks #1: Brocken Signal

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

What Is Garfunklr?

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

Garfunklr 2021

My year in reading.

Paul Kenny: Seaworks show in Southport

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

Ed Scissor + Lamplighter – Been A Minute

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

Crash of Rhinos’ ‘Distal’ 10th Anniversary Reissue

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

The Little Explorer Vinyl Reissue

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

Rolo Tomassi + Haiku Salut Remixes

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

Garfunklr 2020

My year in reading.

New Album Out Now

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

New Album Pre-orders + Trailer + Single

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 […]

Abbey Road Masters streaming now

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 […]

Ian Carr Remix

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 […]

Shane Thomas’ “Without A Lion” EP

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.

Piano Piece for Piano Day 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!

Dan Whitehouse ‘Dreamland Tomorrow’

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!

Garfunklr 2019

My year in reading.

SKAM France Soundtrack

Abbey Road Masters tracks used in popular French TV series

Autumn Playlist

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 […]

New Abbey Road Masters album released

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 […]

Live at Be Kinder, Edale

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 […]

EDITH – short film now streaming

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

Video: An Orchestra of Phones for Reservoir 13 Live

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

Reservoir 13 Soundtrack EP Announced + Track Debut

Official Soundtrack to the Costa Novel of the Year 2017

Abbey Road Masters Production Music Library

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.

Reservoir 13 LIVE @ Greenbelt Festival

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

Studio 2 and The Three Pianos

More production music recording at Abbey Road Studio 2...

New Podcast with Original RJB Soundtrack

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

LORO Soundtrack double-album OUT NOW

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

Reservoir 13 – Radio 4 Book At Bedtime

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).

Grawl!x album out today

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

Reservoir 13 Wins Costa Novel of the Year 2017

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

Abbey Road Studio 2 and London Contemporary Orchestra

Recording production music with LCO at Abbey Road Studio 2...

BBC Radio 4 presents ‘The Reservoir Tapes’

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

Acts of Kindness (Soundtrack)

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

Grawlix String Arrangements

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

Vigil I – Live

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

CNN Great Big Story

Richard composes the soundtrack for a CNN Great Big Story.