Born in London in 1982, Poppy Ackroyd studied piano and composition at the University of Edinburgh, holding a masters in piano performance, and has toured with the collective Hidden Orchestra since 2004. She plays piano and violin both conventionally and unconventionally – with drumsticks, e-bows, and picks – building intricate, multi-tracked textures from the physical bodies of her instruments. Her catalog includes Escapement (2012), Feathers (2014), a mini-album on Bjorks One Little Independent label (2017), Resolve (2018, featuring guest instrumentalists), and Pause (2021).

Mood and energy: Intricate, textural, inventive. Recommended uses: Reflection.

Sacred Ground Confidence Score: 5 out of 5 stars   Final recommendation: Approved.

Why this artist belongs in Sacred Sounds: A genuinely inventive instrumentalist whose unconventional piano and violin technique offers real sonic distinction within the collection.