- Live from Rewire with a multifaceted artist at the height of his powers.
- Matthew Barnes is an artist in the literal sense of the word. He went to art school in Liverpool and worked as a graphic designer before turning to music production, releasing psychedelic dub EPs as Forest Swords and signing to Tri Angle for his debut album.
Since the very beginning, the Wirral native has pursued a multidisciplinary practice. He makes his own artwork, has created pieces and installations for art galleries and recently moved into other fields, composing for theatre, dance, film and video games. Software and an old, cheap guitar are the tools he uses to build hybrid acoustic/digital soundscapes, which sound at once ancient and modern. He's also developed a distinct wordless vocal technique that was used to compelling effect on his recently released album on Ninja Tune, Compassion.
Barnes is a risk-taker who pushes himself for his art. He's done some weird things en route, like mixing a record outside, painting people's portraits with sound and giving away music to strangers via WhatsApp. Recorded live at Rewire festival in The Hague, Holly Dicker gets an insight into the thinking behind one of the UK's most in-form electronic artists.
TracklistForest Swords - Arms Out
Forest Swords - Panic