bio
James Ratcliffe is a multi-instrumentalist composer and producer from London. After completing his Mmus in composition at Guildhall School of Music & Drama in 2017, he’s made music for Dance, TV, Film, Theatre and lead several artist projects; Seamus James and Moa Moa. James’ music is often melodic, unconventionally arranged, whimsical and rejects distinctions between high + low art.
James is currently published by OTM music.
Growing up in an incredibly un-musical home, I was raised without any pre-conceived notions of what I should and shouldn’t like, what was high or low art. This is why my work is so varied and eclectic. There are however through-lines or themes in my work; melody, bold / unconventional choices and a sense of “whimsy”. These are just some of the things that run through my work from the pretentious microtonal electro-acoustic works I was making at Guildhall, the faux-electro Irish trad inspired folk, the tame impala / bandy inspired tunes, to the disposable corporate things I make for brands.
As “moa moa” I wrote, recorded and produced everything, but was also lucky to receive ad-prod and mentorship from great producers like Charlie Andrews, Dan Carey, Cam Blackwood and Robert Brinkmann along the way. Highlights of that journey were being selected for FIFA (twice), headlining two shows at The 100 Club, headlining a stage at londons All Points East festival in london, being playlisted on both BBC Radio 1 and Radio 6 and signing with companies like UTA for live shows and ATC for general management.
Other career highlights include; Scoring an award winning contemporary dance piece called “I Thought I Found a Cherry” in 2019. Having music used on shows like Everything Now, Cloak and Dagger, Suits LA, Made In Chelsea, and by Apple during their 2021 LA Key-note speech.
