BARB
In our latest interview, GRRRL Music catches up with BARB, the indie-pop rock sensation from Austin, Texas, right before she hit the stage at the Out & Abt Music Festival in San Diego! We dive deep into her latest single, "Lately", exploring the dreamy, nostalgic moments that inspired it.
BARB shares her evolution as an artist, discussing the shift in her sound—from indie rock to experimenting with pop-rock and even Maggie Rogers/Chelsea Cutler vibes. We also talk about her musical influences, from Mac Miller and The Strokes to her love of classic '70s and '80s dad rock bands like Foreigner and The Cars.
Plus, BARB opens up about her journey into music, her pre-show rituals, and the unique way Austin’s live music scene shaped her artistry.
Catch the full interview to learn more about BARB's creative process, her upcoming demos, and how she’s carving out her distinct lane in the music world.
GRRRL MUSIC: Hi Barb! How are you?! So good to see you again! How are you feeling about performing today?
BARB: I am super excited! We had a fun sound check, and there are some amazing artists on the bill!
GM: To introduce you to new listeners or viewers, if you could describe your music in three words, what would they be?
BARB: Hmm... I would say sentimental & reflective, soulful & upbeat, and...
Photo Credit: Rachel Philip
GM: ...for the gays?
BARB: Oh, definitely for the gays!
GM: Tell me a little bit about your latest releases. You just dropped a song titled "Lately." What can you share with your listeners about what's coming next?
BARB: "Lately" is a bit confusing for me to think about. There are moments in the song that feel like snapshots or flashbacks in a movie, very specific memories of a very specific person. I love those moments. But it's also about being open to falling for someone without worrying too much about how it ends—just enjoying it while it lasts. I was thinking about how I bought this girl some flowers, and she didn’t have a vase, so I asked, "What do we put these in?" And realized all these intimate memories and emotions were confusing for sure, but I just trust the universe on how it plays out
GM: It feels so whimsical and lighthearted—I love it!
If you can share, what can we expect from you coming up—collaborations, new projects, etc.?
BARB: Definitely a lot of different things. I have a couple of demos in the works—one has more of a Maggie Rogers vibe, another has a Chelsea Cutler vibe, others have a pop/rock element. What started as an indie rock sound is evolving, so I’m not even sure what to expect! I’m kind of just waiting to see where my sound goes.
GM: I'm sooo excited for you! Speaking of Maggie Rogers and Chelsea Cutler, what other artists have influenced your sound and musical journey?
BARB: Oh man! It’s hard to say because a lot of the music I listen to doesn’t have a direct correlation to my sound. A few favorites to highlight would probably be Mac Miller, UMI, The Black Keys, and The Strokes. Growing up I also listened to a lot of bands like Foreigner and The Cars with my dad. I’ve seen Foreigner like four times! So definitely a lot of '70s and '80s "dad" rock bands, haha.
GM: I can totally hear that influence in some of your tracks—so fun! I’m excited to see how your sound keeps evolving.
Since you’re about to jump on stage, what are some of your pre-show rituals?
BARB: I used to get really shy and nervous about playing certain guitar parts while singing, so now I just do some exercises and practice those as a warm up.
GM: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?
BARB: Probably about two years ago. My siblings were/are the musicians in the family. Between them, my dad’s music rotation and just friends with good taste, I was exposed to a lot of different sounds growing up. But I didn’t start trying to really learn guitar until I was 23 or 24, and now I’m 27, so it’s still kind of new to me!
GM: It's wild that you’re now playing at a music festival! Huge congrats!
BARB: Yeah, thank you! I really appreciate it.
GM: You’re from Austin, TX—has that influenced your sound?
BARB: I’d say yes! In college, I went to a lot of shows. I was a student-athlete at UT, and on the weekends, I tried to find something fun to do that wouldn’t drain me for practice—so live music was a go-to. There are so many talented artists & musicians in Austin; it’s such a cool, crazy scene.
GM: What are some of your goals moving forward? What do you want this next year to look like?
BARB: I don’t want to box myself in. If I want to release something more indie pop or pop rock or dance-y, I want to be able to do that. I want to keep making music and art that feels
authentic to me. I think nostalgia and sentimentality are the key elements in my music, and I definitely just want to keep bringing that into my work.
GM: I feel so personally connected to your music. You have a real talent for storytelling.
BARB: Thank you! Tracks like "Lately" and "Someone Like June" might be about unique situations, but they’re feelings and experiences a lot of people can relate to.
GM: Okay, bonus question… What's your favorite song to perform live?
BARB: Right now, I think "Someone Like June" is probably still my favorite. It has this anthemic vibe, yearning for that one person… I just keep repeating it for the last 90 seconds of the song, haha! But also really excited to try out a new pop-rock one tonight as well, it’s the first time we’re playing it live!
GM: Ahh, I’m so excited! Thank you so much, Barb!