Jacob Barber is back with his 4th solo album.
Set to be released in Summer 2023, "One with the Stars" was written, recorded and produced by the Sarnia based psychedelic rock multi-instrumentalist in his self-made home recording studio and can be best described as his personal cosmic love song to the people.
Inspired by the psychedelic sounds of the 1960s, Barbers album was conceived of out of an almost spiritual experience at an outdoor music festival last year, basing his latest work on the sensation of the apparent inner-connectivity of all things: the inner and outer oneness of the planet, people, and stars through infinite time and space.
As is typical of the artist, all vocals, guitar tracks, bass, drums, and lyrics were written, performed, recorded and produced independently to bring you a home grown and groovy dose of kaleidoscopic sound.
Beginning with ukulele, Barber first started playing music at age 16, prompting him very shortly after to write his first original song. Noting that there's "probably a recording of it on some computer somewhere," Jacob laughs as he talks about describing feeling like a fish swimming around in circles in the writing of his first ever song, "Fish Bowl.”
"As soon as I learned chords, I started writing my own songs. I guess I learned a couple covers too, but I started writing my own music very early on," said Barber during a March 22nd interview with Mouthpiece Magazine.
"Writing songs is meditative for me. I'll take my guitar and really just try to empty my mind. I start playing around, without thoughts, just strumming and feeling out what feels good to me, and then I'll start humming melodies while I strum. I write songs almost every day. I have hundreds. Many that will never see the light of day. Usually I write about what I'm thinking or feeling that day, like an ongoing daily journal of sound. But this album is different. It’s more passionate. This album is bigger and more outside of myself. The love isn't romantic, it's cosmic."
In addition to his now fourth solo album, Barber is also known for his work performing and producing albums with his former band Dream Seer, in addition to dropping three EPs with his first band Bad Habit. Currently, he plays with Sarnia's newest band The Aventurines alongside Taylor Pevec on bass, Zoe L (Daphne's Demise) on guitar and vocals, Taylor Sherman on drums, and keyboardist/percussionist/vocalist Myia Pevec.
After picking up his first ukulele at age 16, in just ten years Barber has added vocals, bass, guitar and drums to his musical aptitude along with becoming a self-taught record producer. Not only does he self-produce his own creative works, he also aids other independent and local artists in the production of their albums while connecting countless bands, people and minds in his personal contribution to the local scene.
“I’m really inspired by the psychedelic rock born out of 1960s counter culture music, and the “neo-psychedelic” revival DIY garage bands. Ultimate Spinach, Allah-las, 13th Floor Elevators, Brian Jonestown Massacre, King Gizard and the Wizard Lizard to name a few. Music became a quick obsession for me. I started playing one day, and just never stopped. I think it’s really important to not be afraid to follow your passion. We’re conditioned to prioritize money, working for other people, and chasing superficial goals. But everyone is born with an imagination and it’s important not to lose it. If you find something that makes you feel something, something that makes you feel alive, you have to follow that passion. You have to chase that. Chase what makes you feel alive.”
For more:
Web: linktr.ee/Jacob_Barber
Spotify: Jacob Barber Instagram: @jacobbarberrrr
Jacob Barber. Photo by Evan Kwan
Jacob Barber and The Aventurines Photo by Evan Kwan Back Row: Myia Pevec, Zoe L, Taylor Pevec Middle: Jacob Barber Front: Taylor Sherman
Jacob Barber at Hollow Fest Photo by Alex Carre