In the modern age, it can be hard to find artists with such range of energy and emotions as Barry Can't Swim.
His style - pulling vocals and samples from all over the world - is composed in an almost progressive-jazz nature: eclectic, dynamic, and almost spiritual at times.
Born in Edinburgh, the now London-based producer came from humble beginnings. First learning on the piano his grand-father rescued from a local charity shop. Obsessive by nature, every chapter in his younger years revolved around music in some sense.
Working behind the bar in a local spot, performing in bands through his teenage years, before eventually honing his craft and studying music at Edinburgh Napier university.
It was around this time that Barry - real name Joshua Mainnie - discovered the burgeoning UK electronic scene. Artists like Jamie xx and Daniel Avery coming through Scottish nightclubs like Sneaky Pete's and Sub Club, inspired Mainnie to evolve his own writing, and apply the fundamentals he learned in piano, guitar and drums into the infinite realm of electronic production.
Eventually making the move to London, he put his first record out in 2020 - a self-release titled "Because I Wanted You To Know".
Immediately winning fans with his unique sound and more-than-memorable alias, Barry Can't Swim consistently grew through underground UK labels, before eventually signing to Ninja Tune in 2021. His first EP on the label - 'More Content' - put the Scotsman right up alongside Bonobo, Bicep and Peggy Gou, as one of the most exciting electronic artists in the scene.
'When Will We Land?' marked the debut album in October 2023. Written with friends, taking samples from family, and encompassing of all Mainnie's musical influences; it is a piece described by its creator as "a reflection and appreciation of all the people, music and moments that have led me to this point in my life".
A huge success both critically and commercially, the album reached #12 in the UK Album Charts, #5 in the Scottish equivalent, and saw Mainnie receive nominations in the Mercury Prize and BRIT Awards.
Simultaneously to this, Mainnie made the brave evolution from club DJ to live electronic act; in order to allow a fuller expression and the creative world around his art.
The people were clearly ready for it. With sold-out shows and tours all over the world - London, Glasgow, Dublin Los Angeles, Chicago, Vancouver, Phoenix, Melbourne, Sydney, Amsterdam and beyond... Along with roadblock festival appearances at the likes of Coachella (US), Pukkelpop (Belgium), Roskilde (Denmark), Reading & Leeds (UK), and most notably - a record-breaking crowd at The Park Stage of Glastonbury (UK).
Never one to self-admire or rest on his achievements, Mainnie continues to write new music. Arguably his biggest single to date, "Still Riding" arrived to huge international response in October 2024, after two years of requesting Kali Uchis' permission to sample. Perhaps becoming a fan herself in the process...
With a sold-out tour UK/EU tour coming up - including 3 x Brixton Academies (London) - a debut live tour in North America - including huge shows at Shrine (LA) and Terminal 5 (NYC) - festival appearances in South America, Australia, New Zealand, and a second album in the works. It's clear that the exponential growth of this hard-working star is set to continue for a while yet.
