by Runs July 14-18
Del Barber is an independent folk, folk rock, Americana, and alt-country singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. Barber was born on October 14, 1983 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Barber began recording music while attending Covenant Bible College. From there he would start playing shows all across North America. During his one year at North Park University, he would continue to write music. After spending a year at North Park studying philosophy, he made his way back to Winnipeg and studied philosophy for a year at Canadian Mennonite University
After the release of two early demo albums, Barber went back into the studio to record his eleven track album “Where the City Ends.” With many positive reviews of this album, he continued to tour extensively in support of the album. In 2010, Barber released what would be considered his fourth entitled Love Songs for the Last Twenty.
Later in 2011, Barber’s career continued to reach new heights when he won two Western Canadian Music Awards for Independent Album of the Year and Roots Solo Recording of the Year.
From the fertile Red River Valley to the pastures of the west, straight into the factory floors and slaughter houses of the city, Barber’s fourth album, Prairieography, is born out of a love for his home, its people and their stories. The album was released on February 4, 2014
In an effort to take his creative process to new heights, Barber undertook a painstaking approach to achieve an organic sound. The reverb was recorded inside a 150-foot grain silo. Prairieography was produced by Barber and his trusted steel player Bill Western.
Barber sings from the heart about his roots, telling tales from the road, and offering incredibly personal and sincere observations of the world around him. There is an unexpected blend of old-time country and Cajun boogie on “Living With A Long Way to Go”, however Barber maintains his characteristic storytelling style with “Farewell, God Bless You, Goodbye,” a story about a young man trying to escape the hum of the city. “Walking In A Straight Line,” written in the present tense, chronicles a trip he took to the Yukon from Winnipeg via the Rockies. On “All That it Takes,” Barber enthuses, “Sometimes three chords and a light heart are enough to make a good song. We really wanted to incorporate a few songs, like this one, on the album that would lean on heavy grooves and simple soul-driven rhythm sections.”
Barber has emerged as one of the next wave in this country’s proud tradition of songwriting talent. The follow-up to his award-winning albums Love Songs for the Last Twenty and Headwaters, Prairieography is the earnest travelogue of a wandering troubadour, and the realization that creativity is rarely a bolt of lightning.
Good songs are the result of hard work, calloused fingers and learned lessons from a life well lived.
