@baruchzed.bsky.social hosts the paradigms.life series of podcasts: interviews with musicians, artists, and other good folk on the right side of reason. So check back through the shows beyond his interview with me, and find inspiration.

Here's the first of my three Narrowboat Session songs, "Hermione" with the amazing @mariaquinnmusic.bsky.social Big thanks to Mark for making such a lovely job, and having us aboard ⚓ youtu.be/mpYF2bxi_yk?... #NarrowboatSessions #Narrowboat #IndependentMusic #SingerSongwriter #Shakespeare

You’ve still got the best part of an hour and it’s really very good! I enjoyed on my train ride down south last Sunday 🚆🎶

Our barometer has dropped somewhat. Batten down the hatches and stay safe everyone 💨🍃 #StormAmy

🍉 I'll be walking 98 km over 23 days (8th-31st of October) to raise money in support of @medicalaidpal.bsky.social I've committed to raising £500 in total but would love to raise more if I can 🕊 If you'd like to support head to medicalaidforpalestinians.enthuse.com/pf/shirley-b... 🙏

Have you looked under an Oak recently? On my trip away this weekend I learned all about Mast Years for Oaks and Beeches. It’s cyclical, where every 5 - 10 years they suddenly shed seeds prolifically. Beware sheep and cow, as gorging can kill. Pig…have at ‘em! Every day is a school day.

So. Much. Fun. Thanks to Mark at www.facebook.com/thenarrowboa... for having me and @mariaquinnmusic.bsky.social aboard! Thanks for the exquisite accompaniment, Maria - and for orchestrating the best of journeys with the best of people!

Yes. I’m obsessed with the Maple tree. But in my defence, it’s proper windy today and very soon my beautiful friend will shed her cloak and greet the winter naked. (Brrrr…)

My new love We’ll be eating beans on toast for a while now but … she peng* *According to my 28 year old London based son, peng means really really purty #neumann

Another Compendium dawns... if it's possible to 'dawn' at 8pm (UK) every Wednesday on www.folkfridayradio.com @folkfridayradio.bsky.social Do tune in 😎

Maple L🍁ve

The @scotstorycentre.bsky.social has a feast of Northern stories and songs to brighten the autumn months. www.lothianlife.co.uk/2025/09/scot... #scottishstorytellingfestival #SISF2025

Much craic was had at the Ardersier International Folk Club Festival this weekend! Cherry on the cake was my set as the returning Paul Tonberg Songwriting Shield winner from 2024. Love playing with Amy Henderson 🪗 Big 🙏 to all the hard working team at the Club! Such a joy to be a member 🎶

I've had such a smile on my face today...so chuffed to get to open for one of my favourite musicians last night.

Love this. So well deserved 🫶

Come! It's going to be a lovely night ... ... and you'll find out why I've posted 🐰🐰🐰🐰 and 🐑 here!

“Hello” Beautiful 🤩 #Neumann

Morning light on the turning Maple leaves

Just be(e)cause 🐝

Blink & it’s gone! 1 year since I celebrated the release of BBB with its launch @uhallpromo.bsky.social with epic live band + support from Beth Porter Grateful to all the lovely humans who contributed to EP recording, & launch night & for where the music's taken me since 💚 EP 👉 bit.ly/BBBandC

As part of European Folk Day, I'm hosting an online Zoom Scots Song Workshop! It's open to all abilities and folk from all over the world can join. Please do heize it up! ionafyfe.bandcamp.com/merch/scots-...

Nigel doesn't just bring bass and vocals to the mix. Nope. He's pretty slick on the rain stick, too. ☔ Here's a wee blast of us rehearsing today for our Hilltops Live gig opening for Jenny Sturgeon next Wed 10 Sept. 🎟 via Linktree in my bio

Beautiful morning for a train ride to Inverness to meet up with Amy Henderson to rehearse for the Ardersier Folk Festival closing concert 🌞 Fest runs 12-14 Sept, kicking off with a cèilidh on Fri night. Amy and I will play Sunday 14th 🎶 Ticket link to Festival in the Linktree in my bio

Big thanks to the Forres Gazette for the article about Jenny and Patsy’s upcoming tour. Chuffed to be the support at Hilltop Live gig Wed 10 Sept. Delighted to have Nigel Sleaford accompanying me. See you there? Tickets via Linktree in my bio 🎶 www.forres-gazette.co.uk/news/the-lof...

… and is also a track on @shirley-sings.bsky.social’s EP! shirleybarr.bandcamp.com/album/begin-...

My favourite season is almost here 🍂

🔥 Exiting times! 🔥 Working away at lots of new (and some old reworked) music, with some really lovely folk. Two summer gigs left to go ... come say "Hi" and hear a new song live, too. WITH Nigel Sleaford 10.09 Hilltop Live AND Amy Henderson 14.09 Ardersier Folk Festival

I've often asked you all recently to support my friend Amira and her beautiful daughters, in the hope they can escape from Gaza and find safety. Please help them if you can. Support with donations or a repost or a like or a comment. The direct link is here chuffed.org/project/1206...

Big thanks to Anna, Laura and team at BBC Radio Scotland's Travelling Folk show for the spin of The Rope, and the gig and tour shout-out for Jenny Sturgeon and Patsy Reid's tour next month. Delighed to be the support for their HIlltop Live gig on Wed Sept 10th 🎟️ 👉 bit.ly/JSLoft1009

Canine BVs in Ullapool last week in Ullapool with @dmfalconer.bsky.social! Next up supporting Jenny Sturgeon 10 Sept with Nigel Sleaford Then Ardersier Folk Festival 14 Sept with Amy Henderson Info & 🎟️ www.shirleybarrmusic.com So much lovely music with lovely people - feeling really grateful 🎶

Please help me to spread the word…🙏❤️ “Is it me with my head screwed on While the rest of them are loose?” 👂Listening Party: “A PROLIFERATION OF POINTLESSNESS” 6pm (UK) Friday 29th August. www.youtube.com/@johnreed-mu... 🎧 To be released on johnreed.bandcamp.com

It’s Sunday. Be like Finn ☀️

So super chuffed to be the support act for one of my favourite musicians, Jenny Sturgeon. Couldn’t have imagined this when I signed up for a @boohewerdine.bsky.social and @findlaynapier.bsky.social online songwriting wkshp 4 years ago! See you there? Info & 🎟️ Linktree☝️

My new favourite thing 🌊 #Narwal @dmfalconer.bsky.social

The moon looked beautiful on Loch Broom, in the wee small hours of this morning. This is taken from a moving car 🌙

What a lovely audience we had last night at the Argyll Hotel in Ullapool. Thanks to @shrewsongs.bsky.social for organising the gig and the beautiful poster, and to @dmfalconer.bsky.social for a great night up there on stage together!

Dream Team! Very productive, creative and entertaining 2 days recording with these two at Unity Recording Studio. 4 track EP well under way. 🥳

Would be lovely to see some friendly faces when @dmfalconer.bsky.social and I play at The Argyll Hotel Friday 15th August! 🎶 Thank you, @shrewsongs.bsky.social for the beautiful poster 🫶

Wednesday's Compendium features the first single from a brand new album to be released on 26th September, other new releases, and some rather fine songs already in circulation. That's Wednesday 8pm (UK) on www.folkfridayradio.com

They say 13 is unlucky for some, but I’m feeling pretty lucky to be celebrating 13 years of marriage to this one ❤️

One of my favourite things this past week has been watching the Gannets dive. Such a feat of engineering… #Gannets

Beachcomber

The starlings of Gardenstown are bringing us joy 🎶 = Starling Song by Kitty Macfarlane

Take a wee moment … #breathe