BARNS COURTNEY

Barns Courtney seems to be on a roller coaster ride. Born in the U.K., he moved to Seattle, Washington at age 4. At age 15 Courtney returned to the U.K.

While in the U.K. he was in the bands SleeperCell and Dive Bella Dive. Dive Bella Dive signed to Island Records. After recording a full album worth of material Island decided to not release the record and eventually dropped the band.

It left Courtney with no band, no label and no money. Courtney was forced to take a job in an electronic store, couch surf and many time sleep in his car.

With extreme determination he finally scored a deal with Virgin Records. In 2015 two of his singles (“Glitter and Gold” and “Fire”) were placed in several movies and ads. He opened for the Who, Ed Sheeran and The Libertines. In 2017 Virgin released The Attraction of Youth, Courtney’s first record, to rave reviews.

AMP caught up with Courtney in the lobby of College Street Music Hall in New Haven after opening for the Wombats. He meet with anyone and anybody who wanted to either talk, take a selfie or wanted an autograph. Still raw and sweaty from his set he made sure that every person was happy and satisfied. He is an amazing individual.

I had petitioned Courtney’s  press agent for an interview with no success. When I told him he just said “let’s do it now”. Not totally prepared I winged this short interview.

AMP: Your life is something that movies are made of. Who would you like to play you?

Courtney: Sasha Baron Cohen, Jim Carrey, oh Johnny Depp. He may be too super sexy.

AMP: In your real life you have had many ups and downs. What made you persevere?

Courtney: Um, thats a really good question. I guess when something is in you its in you. More so than anything I was so desperately unhappy doing anything but performing and it was that and being up against a wall realizing that my life might never enter this sphere again after I lost my first deal that gave me the energy to get back up.

AMP: Where did you get your inspiration from?

Courtney: I love love the classic rock performers. I’m hugely inspired by Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger and Freddie Mercury. I just love that 70’s glam feel and old time rock. But I also love Brit pop. Blur and the Wombats fall in that category. I love the Arctic Monkeys.

AMP: What made you become a musician?

 Courtney: My mom and I used to sing songs together. She’s very similar to me. My whole family is quite theatrical. I started my first band in high school and I fell in love. It always been inside me.

AMP: One last stupid question. If you were on the voice how many chairs would turn?

Courtney: I don’t know about that. The voice is a tough contest. And I can’t do any of my fancy man moves to entice them. Not sure.

Just as an aside, Courtney was just such a nice guy. He even filmed a short video for my two daughters who are huge fans and couldn’t make the show. Made me a cool dad (for a day).

 

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