Emily Barker and The Red Clay Halos March 11, 2009

Emily Barker is a singer-songwriter hailing from the quiet town of Bridgetown, Western Australia.

Emily first entered the UK music scene via the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2002 where she appeared with guitarist Rob Jackson (Boo Hewerdine's guitarist). The success of this performance, lead them to form a band called the-low-country of which Emily was the songwriter and front person. They released 2 albums, played numerous Alt-country venues and festivals, and enjoyed several plays on John Peel's show.

In October 2005, Emily won both Country song of the year and Regional song of the year at the prestigious Annual West Australian Music Song writing Awards. This year she also toured and sang in place of Stephanie Arlene with UK Americana heroes 'The Arlenes' on their UK tour.

In 2006 Emily again appeared at the Cambridge Folk Festival, this time accompanied by The Red Clay Halo - a female trio comprising of Violin, Cello and Accordion/ Flute. She also sang a duet with Steve Adams of The Broken Family Band.

In January 2007, Emily released a limited edition of her debut solo album 'Photos.Fires.Fables.' which received numerous positive reviews in UNCUT, Q, The Word, The Times, The Independent and many more.

The debut album sold out in just a year at gigs alone, so a re-mastered version that features a revised track listing, one new song and refreshed artwork is available via Emily's own independently-managed label Everyone Sang.

Off the back of the debut's success, Emily got to tour as support for Mary Gauthier and play Glastonbury Festival with The Red Clay Halo - just to mention a couple of the highlights in 2007.

2008 got off to a stonking start when Emily completed a tour of major cities in Australia opening shows for Jose Gonzalez where she performed in front of crowds of up to 2500 solo. She went down a storm!

May 2008 has seen her support her West Australian idols The Waifs on their UK tour. Emily saw The Waifs play at her high school in the gazebo during the Bridgetown Blues Festival when she was just 14 years old.

On seeing them play, Emily was inspired to pick up a guitar and start singing and songwriting.

The tour culminated with a performance accompanied by The Red Clay Halo at a sold-out Shepherd's Bush Empire.

Over the snowy Easter weekend in 2008, the band spent their time at 'The Granary' (a 16th-century barn studio located in Norfolk) and recorded live in 4 days the eagerly awaited second album.

It's a gorgeous, up close and very intimate sound that beautifully captures the quartet of The Red Clay Halo.

Prior to it's release, the album had already generated success with Emily singing the opening track 'Nostalgia' due to be used as title & end credits music for Wallander - a major new drama adaptation for BBC1 starring the revered British actor Kenneth Branagh.

Another 2008 highlight for Emily was supporting Frank Turner on his UK headline tour. Most of the shows were sold out and his crowds seemed to dig what she did.

Here are some nice words other people have written about Emily Barker:

"Incredible voice... surpasses any critical superlative" - Americana UK

"One of those talents that comes along once in a lifetime, if you're lucky." - Maverick

"Echoes of Lucinda Williams' rasp and Martha Wainwright's cutesy purr" - Word

"Sharply observed, original songs... adventurously embellished by gypsy flourishes and haunting desert echoes that'd be at home on a Calexico album" - Uncut

"A gorgeous, sincere voice that grabs you and won't let go." - The Sun
www.myspace.com/emilybarker

Official Website: http://www.thecellars.co.uk/detailedlistings.html#0301