Музыкальный порталMUSIC FOR MODERN MINDS

BARB is a proper band In a time where every rock star and their dog are
joining forces - forming mildly celebrated, yet seemingly boring and
predictable super-groups - comes the unique sound of BARB. With an
Antipodeans darling line-up of Liam Finn, Lawrence Arabia, Connan
Mockasin, Eliza-Jane and Seamus Ebbs, BARB aren't just counting on their
individual indie laurels to get noticed in this dog-eat-dog existence.

It was a mutual respect, awe and enjoyment of each other's company that
fuelled this project. With Liam Finn and live cohort Eliza-Jane's
constant touring (since the release of Finn's solo debut I'll Be
Lightning and successive co-release Champagne in Seashells), Lawrence
Arabia's busy schedule after the critical success of Chant Darling
(subsequently leading to NZ's highest songwriting honour with the Silver
Scroll Award), Connan Mockasin's ever morphing musical exoskeleton -
which, at last count had taken him back and forth from NZ to the UK 16
times in the last year alone, and resulted in the wondrous Please Turn
Me Into The Snat - and the enigma that is Seamus Ebbs, BARB's drummer
who hadn't been seen by anyone for 3 years, and was said to be living in
a part of NZ considered by most to be mythical - it's no wonder that
wrangling these 5 intriguing individuals together was the trickiest part
of making this record

Seeding the first thoughts of BARB while all living in London, it took 3
years of fantasising, cross-pollinating and some humorous e-mail chains
before these 5 friends found themselves back in NZ at Roundhead Studios,
on the grim slopes of Newton, Auckland. "It seemed only natural" muses
Liam. "We have been involved in each others music for so long... getting
up to play at each others shows... touring together when possible, we
knew starting a band together would be fun... but we had no idea what it
would sound like."

BARB's sound however, can only be described as 'different'. Different
from what the band expected, different from the crap you hear when you
turn on the radio, different from the latest Danger Mouse production,
probably different from what this bio will lead you to imagine. Lush
reverbs lure you into an organic, yet sexy world, where you can't tell
if you've gone 40 years back in time, or 40 years into the future.
Psychedelic songs about lesbian lovers, boat trips up the Nile, and even
a 4 year old's obsession with teen heart-throb Leonardo DiCaprio leave
you imagining what BARB really got up to during those 4 weeks of writing
and recording. When the 5 sing together it is glorious, and makes you
feel like an excited child again, rollicking fun and mischief, with
darker touches of the absurd and the sick, each element sounding as
sincere as the other.

If the name BARB brings Pamela Anderson to mind - or possibly even the
cruel design of a cat's penis - you're really in for a pleasant
surprise. If BARB conjures up images of your auntie smoking a fag out on
your Nana's porch? Fantastic They only hope they will find a way into
your accepting heart and contribute something exciting and new to this
already evocative word. BARB

With all 5 members off again on their individual pursuits, one ponders
how they can possibly nurture this ethereal musical baby, but the
Universe works in wondrous ways, and like the making of this record, the
life of BARB will be fated yet spontaneous. To be released in the U.S.
on Yep Roc, don't miss your chance to get involved and personal with
this not so famous, dare we say SUPER-GROUP, called: BARB.

James Milne

The alter ego of Lawrence Arabia or vice versa, Milne is known for his
brutally honest lyrics which explore social commentary and poke fun at
the idiocies of the human race. Charming melodies combined with simple
but compelling arrangements are some of the reasons why this songwriter
has turned heads throughout his home country of New Zealand, UK and the
USA. Including winning the highly coveted annual Silver Scroll award in
New Zealand and the inaugural Taite Prize, both songwriting awards for
his recently released album Chant Darling, Lawrence Arabia creates some
of the most special music to ring out from New Zealand in years gone by.

Liam Finn

One of New Zealand's most beloved young songwriters, Liam Finn has spent
the last three years creating, releasing and touring his critically
acclaimed debut album I'll Be Lightning. After leaving the band
Betchadupa he created in his early teens with high school friends, Finn
embarked on a project he wanted to create by himself with a stronger
emphasis on exploration into melody and song than he had ever explored
before. Now having toured the world with the likes of Pearl Jam, Wilco,
Crowded House as well as his own headline tours through Europe and USA,
Finn is forging a name for himself as an artist with a huge musical
future, and an album which is an absolutely essential debut to own.

EJ Barnes

Certainly no stranger to the world of music, EJ is the second eldest
daughter of Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes. After having spent time
touring in her dad's backing band straight from high school and spending
the last three years traipsing the globe with Liam Finn as his musical
partner in crime, EJ every now and then takes time to stop and arm
herself with an acoustic guitar and her beloved auto-harp. Her song
writing was something always hugely important to her and she recorded
and released a solo album There And Back in 2007. Evocative, subtle and
profound, EJ's beautiful voice and songwriting are the kind to resonate
long after the first listen. She is currently in New York getting ready
to release on her second record a collaboration with a fellow female
Aussie folksinger they go by the name 'Evil J & Saint Cecilia'.

Connan Mockasin

Formerly bandleader of psychedelic 60's rock trio Connan and the
Mockasins, Connan has delved into a form of pop music engulfed in
psychedelia which explores avenues of a brain and imagination that has
created worlds and characters delightful and fantastical. His debut solo
record Please Turn Me Into The Snat has recently been released in New
Zealand to unanimous praise and shows a songwriter savant with musical
and lyrical ideas to burn. Never a dull moment with Connan Mockasin his
live show is also a special experience usually thrown together with
whichever musical talents are in the same area code as Hosford at the
time.

Seamus Ebbs

A former jazz student with a penchant for explosive soulful drumming and
chewing peppercorns, Seamus Ebbs was a founding member of Connan And The
Mockasins and spent time touring New Zealand, UK and Europe with the
band before they disbanded. Known as one of the most versatile and
interesting drummers in the country, Ebbs is an integral part of the
sound of BARB with the bands emphasis on rhythmical variation and
originality.