An evolving sound with intense intimacy
Kevin Barnes.
Photographer Credit: Christina Schneider
Led by long-time Athenian Kevin Barnes, of Montreal, signed with Bar/None Records in the mid 90’s while living in Florida, then moved to Cleveland and Minneapolis to find bandmates before returning to Athens.
Back in Athens, they collaborated with Athens locals Bryan Helium and drummer Derek Almstead. According to Barnes, the band’s sound has evolved over the years, but it will always maintain the intense intimacy of the first album “Cherry Peel”, in which each song was recorded in a different bedroom in one of the band member’s houses.
“I think that it always has that sort of thing going for it, sort of intimate and very personal,” said Barnes in an NPR interview. “And I think most people can appreciate that the music we make means a lot to us, also, you know, that it’s not about making money or having a certain kind of image; it’s just all about self expression.”
As part of the Elephant 6 collective, of Montreal began in the 90’s with a psychedelic indie/pop influenced by the artists of the 60’s and has grown and evolved into what it is today. The band is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of gender and sexuality in their live shows and never shies away from the absurd.