Name: Richard J Birkin
Occupation: Composer
Age: 32
Place of birth: Derby, UK
Main workplace: My studio in Belper, Derbyshire
Current project: Songs For Spoken Words [due for release in February 2015]
Most important tool as a composer: My piano. Guitar is my main instrument, but I find writing easier on the keys
Favourite app: Bloom
Thing you couldn’t live without: Arts Council England, my local library, the NHS, BBC Radio 6 Music
Artists or cultural figures who have most influenced you: Brian Eno, Johann Johannsson, Max Richter
Who you’d like to collaborate with: Juliana Barwick, Phil France, Mark Hollis
Favourite movie of this year: Calvary. Or Captain America 2
On your playlist right now: Lubomyr Melnyk’s Three Solo Pieces, the new Caribou album, A Winged Victory For The Sullen’s Atomos, Haiku Salut Tricolor, Unwound Rat Conspiracy box set, Alvvays, Robert Hood’s Protein Valve EP
Your work in three words: Soothing, spooky, twinkly
Biggest challenge to date: The entire Songs For Spoken Words production
Emerging talent to watch out for: Grawl!x
Proudest moment: Seeing hundreds of people taking turns to play with my Night Sun installation in Nottingham and Leeds
Next big thing: Beetroot
Advice for your younger self: Spend less time worrying and more time doing. Be more confident
Where you want to be in 10 years: Writing for films
