They just returned from several weeks of touring every corner of the country with Dean Brody and Madeline Merlo. But then, after kicking back and chillin’ – probably to the strains of their hot release Chills on the radio -- the four members of the James Barker Band will be headed to the Kee to Bala this weekend, doing what they love to do.
The Barrie-based James and the boys – Taylor Abram, Connor Stephen, and Bobby Martin -– copped the Emerging Artist Showcase’s top prize two years ago at the Boots and Hearts festival, a pot sweetened by a Universal Music Canada contract and a chance to open for superstar Thomas Rhett (Craving You, A Happy Man, It Goes Like This) at Boots and Hearts.
The band has already pierced country charts with hits like Just Sayin’, Lawn Chair Lazy, and Living the Dream.
Barker tells BarrieToday there’s an advantage to the band members being as young as they are (he, Stephen and Martin are all in their early 20s, while Abram is the eldest at 27).
“I think it definitely helps to be young because we don't feel the pressure we might have if we had families and mortgages and all that stuff, so we have a lot more freedom compared to our colleagues.”
Plus, you’ve got to have fun on the way to the top; otherwise, there won’t be much fun when you get there.
“You have to be in it because it's what you want to do, not because you want to get famous and make a lot of money, because chances are you're not going to get either of those. As long as you're willing to work hard and sacrifice no matter what it takes, you'll be happy.”
Back to the Brody/Merlo connection, James says the tour had its ups and downs.
“It was amazing playing for such large crowds and such high-energy fans. It's pretty hard to complain about the lifestyle we have because we get to do what we love every day.”
On the other hand, it could be stressful, but James is philosophical about that.
“You learn a lot about yourself and the people around you... and personal space when you're stuck in a bus for six weeks. But I don't think we could trade the experience for anything in the world.”
They sure wouldn’t trade being near Merlo.
“It was a pleasure to get to open up for her every night. She and her band put on a great performance every night, and she's such a talent, she's definitely one of the best female vocalists we've ever heard.”
The James Barker Band plays two shows this weekend at Bala, Saturday night at 9 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. And the four guys are stoked for both shows!
“The Kee to Bala is one of those venues that screams history… definitely the coolest venue we've played to date. The crowds are always so energetic and fun... and I think, maybe, a little bit of liquid courage helps with that,” James concludes with a laugh.
Nor will it end there; James and the boys have more music up their sleeve, and more worlds to conquer!
“We're super excited to start working hard to get some traction in the United States, and to continue playing shows across Canada. It's funny because we just released our latest EP, but we're already talking about what we're doing for the next one, so that will likely be coming out sometime this winter.”
The Kee is located at 1012 Bala Falls Road in Bala. For more information, click here.
