Richard Barbieri

Richard Barbieri is a British musician best known as the keyboardist for the influential synth-pop band Japan and later for the progressive rock group Porcupine Tree. He first gained recognition in the late 1970s and early '80s with Japan, where his innovative use of synthesizers helped shape the band’s distinctive, atmospheric sound. After Japan disbanded, Barbieri continued to explore ambient and experimental music, collaborating frequently with his former bandmates, and eventually joining Porcupine Tree in the 1990s, contributing richly textured soundscapes to their evolving sonic palette.

Outside of band projects, Barbieri has developed a respected solo career, blending ambient, electronic, and progressive elements in a style that's uniquely his own. His solo releases—like Chosen Spells and Serpentine—showcase his signature atmospheric approach and deep sound design sensibilities. Over the years, he’s also worked with a wide array of artists across genres, making him a consistent and creative force in modern progressive and electronic music.

Genres

Art Rock

Progressive Rock

Art Pop

Experimental

Ambient

Electronic

Downtempo

Post-rock

New Wave

Jazz Fusion

Related Artists

Porcupine Tree

Steven Wilson

David Sylvian

Japan

Brian Eno

Harold Budd

Klaus Schulze

Ulrich Schnauss

Duran Duran

Moby

The Human League

Peter Gabriel

Latest Release

Chosen Spells

Richard Barbieri

Ep - 4 Tracks - Released February 26, 2021