Barbara
SO THIS IS LIVING
It’s easy to get so caught up in life that we forget to stop and take in our surroundings, and like waking up from a dream, we sometimes have to be reminded to leave behind what isn’t real while embracing what’s in front of us. On its latest record, Denver indie-psych trio Barbara has personified and distilled these reflective experiences into a highly relatable nine-track album, filled to the brim with lush textures, dynamic musical shifts, and emotive lyricism that calls listeners to take a look around once in a while.
Barbara is made up of guitaristvocalist Camilla Vaitaitis, bassist Bridget Hartman, and drummer Anna Panella, the three of whom previously released the debut album, ‘Escape Artist.’
On Barbara’s sophomore effort, ‘SO THIS IS LIVING,’ the band puts its compositional jazz background on full display with meandering psych nostalgia, hypnotic delay- and reverbladen hooks, and driving guitar parts offering a stark contrast to much of the record’s spaciousness. The addition of synthesizer from Vaitaitis, saxophone from Hartman, and trombone from Panella showcases the trio’s multiinstrumental skillset, while leading the audience into some of those deep, dark recesses of
the mind and heart.
The album was recorded with Connor Birch of Flaural at Post Haus in Denver over a year, primarily in long weekend sessions spaced out every few months. Mixed by James Barone of Beach House notoriety and mastered by Chris Colbert, the album boasts a wide-ranging genre base filled with darkened textures, auxiliary percussion played by Raul Sanchez, and an unwavering dreaminess that floats from mysterious selfreflection to warm, sun-soaked daydreams.
“It was seriously a dream team and we couldn't be happier with how it turned out,” Vaitaitis shares.
In contrast to Barbara’s first full-length record ‘Escape Artist,’ which was recorded in a weekend at Camilla’s family cabin, the band says they wer able to be more intentional about what went into ‘SO THIS IS LIVING,’ since the process was more spaced out. While the first record was drenched in a lightweight, airy psychedelia, ‘SO THIS IS LIVING’ turns its sights further inward with a pensive peeling back of the subconscious that begs the question, “what is all this?”
The album opens with “Burn Me,” a subdued, mesmerising
Zachary Visconti BandWagon Magazine
nylon string ballad that blooms into a lush psychedelic liminal space, with Vaitaitis echoing the refrain, “No one is sincere, it’s only you in here.” “Tart Cherry” goes on to capture the influence of Brazilian music in the record’s creation, contributing to the sonically expansive feel of songs like title track “so this is living?” and instrumental “side effects.”
Lyrically, the release touches on themes surrounding anxiety, growing up, yearning to feel alive, parties, and dealing with unpleasant interpersonal experiences, among others. On the single “My Birthday Party,” Vaitaitis recalls a younger self celebrating her birthday, noting that, in hindsight, “my face in the frosting looks so alive.”
Tracks such as “Anyways” and “Bndryl” further explore the band’s guitar-forward sound, opening with sparse clean tones that devolve into rich, climactic arrangements backed by gritty, distorted guitars fit for a 90s grunge band.
Overall, Barbara’s second album delivers a thoughtful, mature, and refreshingly delicate take on modern psych rock, and one that calls all of us to balance mindfulness with experience as we consider what it means to be alive.
“Right before me, look at the sky, why's it so high? Write my story, since I'm alive, might as well try. So this is living.”
SCHEDULE
11:00 AM GATES OPEN 12:00 PM
BLACK CAT ZYDECO FT DWIGHT CARRIER & ERICA BROWN 1:15 PM GUERILLA FANFARE BRASS BAND
2:30 PM BEN CHAPMAN & MEGAN MCREE 3:45 PM JACKIE VENSON 5:00 PM ELVIN BISHOP & CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE DUO 6:30 PM EDDIE 9V 7:45 PM THE MOTET
PARKER GREELEY BORN, NASHVILLE BOUND GENTRY
BY SAWYER MATZ
Greeley, Colorado may be most known for its dairy and agriculture production, but what about its Nashville-bound musicians? Meet Parker Gentry, the recent high school graduate from Greeley, who is already gaining recognition at the ripe age of 18.
Parker started gaining traction on social media sites TikTok and Instagram after posting his acoustic song covers, which quickly grew his online audience to hundreds of thousands of total followers. The viral success has quickly opened doors to the industry. “It’s been a crazy journey that has brought opportunities I never imagined for a kid from Greeley,” shares Parker. “Through social media, I’ve had the chance to sign with my new manager, Dylan Bourne, and his management team, and I have started taking trips to Nashville to work with other songwriters and producers.”
In the blizzard of attention-grabbing videos on these platforms, Parker’s are a beacon of authenticity. Instead of using eye-grabbing text or slick editing, most of his videos feature the simple setup of him and his guitar. “My friends and family motivated me to start posting on social media, and seeing artists I looked up to post also helped a lot,” Parker says. “I decided to give it a shot, and the positive response I received kept me going.”
Parker first built buzz online covering modern country tunes, performing songs ranging from Bill Withers’s “Ain’t No Sunshine” and Zach Bryan’s “28.” Recently he has been sharing more clips of his original music, teasing material he’s working on with Nashville collaborators as possible future releases. No matter what song he’s
playing or who he’s playing with, his distinct baritone voice stands out. His videos strip away distractions, showcasing raw talent and unadulterated passion.
When asked if music was always his dream, Parker answers “It wasn’t until my first show. Back around August 2023, I played a small music festival just outside my hometown and I was nervous as hell before getting on stage, but the moment I stepped up there I fell in love with it. I aspire to write music that has the same impact on others as it has had on me, and I hope to perform as many shows as I can to connect with people through my music.”
Parker’s roots in Greeley inspire his sound and style. “Greeley has shaped me in countless ways; my roots run deep in its soil,” Parker says. “With a country western heartbeat from the dairy farmers, ranchers, farmers, and oil workers, it really inspires my songwriting. My family, friends, and the stories I write about have all come from here.”
Parker’s new Nashville team has already started helping him make connections, and he’s planning a move in the near future. “Nashville is full of so many incredible people and I’ve had the privilege of working with so many talented songwriters,” Parker says. “It’s truly humbling and makes me even more grateful for the opportunities I have in front of me with my music.” Parker has the goal to release his first singles and an EP this year, and hopes to eventually hit the road and tour. He says “I’m beyond excited to share my music with you all, and I hope you’re as excited as I am for what's coming!”
KEEP UP WITH PARKER GENTRY
@PAARRKER
@OFFICIALPARKERGENTRY
BANDWAGON PHOTO OF THE MONTH | JASON ALFARO OF RIGHT EYE MEDIA COLLUR | MOXI THEATER | GREELEY, CO | 4/ 19 / 25
