Ray Parkes is a Multi Instrumental, musician and Composer, who's work is as diverse as the instruments he uses to make it. Part Electronic, part Acoustic, it is formed from traditional instruments, such as Guitars, Pianos and Synths, to ''Found sounds'' such as for example, a Paper Guillotine, and Field recordings, such as the manipulated sound of Penguins and Marsh Birds. (The sound was manipulated, not the penguins).
Starting in the mid 90's as part of Leicester based, Indie Art rock outfit, Bocca, who recorded two studio albums, and an e.p. for Anglo-German label, 'Captive Recordings'. The band played throughout the U.K. at festivals, and Universities, supporting International artists such as, The Czars, Lift to Experience, Gemma Hayes, Howe Gelb, and (Britpop luminaries), The Bluetones, as well as headlining spots in their own right, before disbanding in 2005. Later that year, he worked with Canadian environmentalist, Jan Wylie, for a short film, entitled ''The Tar sands'', for which he wrote and recorded the music.
Since then he has recorded three studio albums , as well as three E.P's entitled The Pier Sessions Volume 1-3. The first of these was released in December 2022, part two released in January 2023, with the third in May 2024.
Describing himself as a 'music maker', rather than a composer, his work has none the less had comparisons made with such luminaries as, Clint Mansell, Erik Satie, John Parish, Brian Eno, Giorgio Moroder, and Steve Reich, in particular Reich's 'Electric Counterpoint', as well as various 'Post Rock', and Electronic artists, from past to present. It is impossible to categories, as it fits in no one camp, yet utilizes characteristics, of many...
All his projects and releases, are available on Amazon, Spotify, iTunes, You tube, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp.
A future full length L.P. is planned to be released in November 2025.
Demos will be uploaded to the Soundcloud page.
For all correspondence, including licensing, please contact 1969mantaray@gmail.com.
Updated 18/05/2025.