Barry Can’t Swim

Edinburgh, Scotland-born electronic DJ, musician, and music producer Joshua Mainnie (born in August 1992) is better known by his stage name, Barry Can’t Swim.  He became interested in music at the age of nine when he was drawn to a used piano that his grandfather had come into possession of. He went on to study music at Edinburgh Napier University. After graduating, Joshua Mainnie relocated to London, England, where he developed his musical direction and adapted the stage name Barry Can’t Swim. He issued his first recording, “Because I Wanted You to Know,” in 2020. He released his debut EP, Amor Fati, in 2021, which was followed by the More Content EP in 2022. His live appearances built up a following, making way for more EPs in 2023 including Sunsleeper, Woman, Dance of the Crab, How It Feels, Deadbeat Gospel, and Always Get Through to You. Barry Can’t Swim also released his debut album, When Will We Land?, in 2023, which was a commercial and critical success. The album reached number 12 on the UK Albums Chart and received praise and awards from the BBC, Clash Magazine, PopMatters, Billboard, and others. The album helped him to earn the Breakthrough Producer award from DJ Mag at the end of 2023. The following year brought even more success as he toured the US, won more awards for When Will We Land?, and earned a spot on the 2024 shortlist for the coveted Mercury Prize. His second album, Loner, was released in July 2025 through Ninja Tune, featuring singles "Still Riding", "Different", "Kimpton" with O'Flynn, "About to Begin", and "All My Friends".