Michael Barker | |
---|---|
Barker at the Cambridge Folk Festival.
|
|
Background information | |
Born | 1966 (age 50–51) |
Origin | Rotorua, New Zealand |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Drums, percussion |
Years active | 1996–present |
Associated acts | The John Butler Trio, Split Enz, Swamp Thing |
Michael Barker (born 1966) is a New Zealand percussion musician best known for performing with many Australasian acts, including The John Butler Trio and Split Enz. In more recent years Barker formed the power blues duo Swamp Thing with Grant Haua.
Barker's unique drum and percussion style has seen him record and tour with prominent contemporary recording artists such as The John Butler Trio, Neil and Tim Finn respectively, Split Enz, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Kasey Chambers, Missy Higgins, Alex Lloyd, Nathan Haines, Vika and Linda Bull, The Black Sorrows, Deborah Conway, Christine Anu, David Bridie, and My Friend the Chocolate Cake.
Michael has also performed music in theatre productions of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cats, Rent, Tap Dogs, Poor Boy and Jerry's Girls.
In addition to performing and recording, Michael has written songs and music with Tim Finn, David Bridie, John Butler, Shane Nicholson, Eddie Rayner, Brian Ritchie, Vika and Linda Bull and Christine Anu.