 | This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification, as its only attribution is to self-published sources; articles should not be based solely on such sources. (January 2021) |
The Caretaker | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | James Leyland Kirby |
| Also known as | V/Vm |
| Born | 9 May 1974 |
| Origin | Stockport, England |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) | Computer, sampler, turntable |
| Years active | 1999–2019 (as The Caretaker) 1996–present (solo career) |
| Labels | V/Vm Test Records, History Always Favours The Winners |
| Website | thecaretaker.com |
The Caretaker was a long-running project by English ambient musician, James Leyland Kirby (born 9 May 1974). His work as the Caretaker is characterized as exploring memory and its gradual deterioration, nostalgia, and melancholia.[1] The project was initially inspired by the haunted ballroom scene in the 1980 film The Shining, the 1978 TV show Pennies from Heaven, and the 1962 film Carnival of Souls.[2] His first several releases comprised treated and manipulated samples of 1930s ballroom pop recordings.[1] Most of his album covers were painted by one of his friends, Ivan Seal.
The Caretaker's works have received critical acclaim in publications such as The Wire, The New York Times,[3] and BBC Music.[4]
- ^ a b Phares, Heather. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- ^ "The Caretaker interview with James Leyland Kirby". Psychedelic Baby Magazine. 20 March 2012.
- ^ Marcus, Ezra (23 October 2020). "Why Are TikTok Teens Listening to an Album About Dementia?". New York Times. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
- ^ Siebelt, Olli (20 November 2002). "The Caretaker – A Stairway". BBC. Archived from the original on 24 December 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2019.