ChitChat - Ed Barnes Interview
INTERVIEW AND PHOTOS BY: JADE GUIDA
I was lucky enough to chat with Sydney Based musician Ed Barnes about music, politics and the arts industry during covid-19.
For some context, I think it’s probably good to know that I saw Ed perform not long ago and I was really taken with him as a musician. It was immediately evident that Ed is passionate, talented and dedicated to expressing his values through music. Since his show I have been thinking about the shape of politics and how the arts can offer itself to something more than just entertainment.
Ed was a familiar face, someone I had seen out and about in the local music scene. Mostly the local punk scene. So I wanted to know what made him make the jump to Folk.
Well I’ve always loved folk music as much as I’ve loved other genres such as punk and 60’s pop but lyrics are actually most important for me when hearing a song, and contemporary folk music often focuses on lyrics whether it’d be Dylan or Billy Bragg. I’ve always taken inspiration from folk music even with writing with my old punk band however I decided it was time to go solo to do what really felt right.
The biggest difference is honestly the nerves! Going from bass player to vocals/guitar/solo and relying on my own name has been one of the biggest leaps in my life, however since I can do it I believe anyone can.
Eds Music is like a blend of Bob Dylans Politics but the relatability of Courtney Barnett. Which makes sense when we talk about influential musicians.
For most influential I think everyone could say something different but I’ll have to go typical and say Lennon-McCartney, George Gershwin, Paul Simon etc, but for me personally, alot comes from Paul Kelly, Courtney Barnett, The Whitlams, Billy Bragg, Beans On Toast, Bob Dylan, Lennon McCartney. Practically a big mix of Australian and UK songwriters with a side of Bob Dylan.
When I started thinking about this interview I really had one burning question. I was genuinely inspired by Ed when I saw him perform recently, it is something you really need to experience to understand. There is this 20 something year old guy standing in front of you with something worthwhile to say and he sort of just says it. There isn’t really any beating around the bush with Ed so I thought I would follow suit and just ask the question.
Some of your songs have quite an obvious social commentary, do you think it is important that music today serves a bigger purpose, that musicians have a responsibility to highlight key issues or are these just topics you as an individual feel strongly about?
I know a lot of people, even friends who say “music and politics shouldn’t mix” but they’re often the ones who aren’t necessarily politically switched on or care (which is perfectly ok). Should mixing pop and politics happen? I feel if you’re passionate about a certain topic, have a guitar and you can kinda sing, you should go for it. However if you want to just sing about romance and an ex partner that’s completely fine too.
There is a true challenge in not becoming jaded or letting setbacks dull enthusiasm and Ed is an incredibly vibrant individual. We talk about the Covid-19 lockdown and disruption to the arts and how he thinks the arts industry going to survive during this time and beyond and how he has been impacted by recent show cancellations and reschedules.
I believe this is a great opportunity for people to embark on music projects they say they’ll get around to doing but never do, so hopefully we’ll see some fresh material coming from all corners. Also the excitement for when we can finally go see live music again is already starting to build, I believe 2021 will have a lot of parties/gigs/festivals that everyone will be keen to go to.
Oh definitely, I had a 9 date tour booked with Peter Black from the Hard Ons who were probably when I was playing in the punk band one of our biggest influences, however that had to cancel. It was also going to be the tour that launches my debut single “Hey, Noel”, which the mixing had already been delayed due to the fires and the studio having to be evacuated as it’s in the Blue Mountains.
It seems that 2020 doesn’t really like my music. Hence why I’m doing the live stream this Sunday off my balcony in Newtown, I really REALLY want to play and if Sicily can do it, so can Sydney.
To finish off I ask Ed what he plans to do with his new free time.
Just to finish the damn EP!
Ed raps up the interview as honestly as he starts it.
That is probably one of the most genuinely endearing quality about Ed and it really shines through in his music. Ed has promised across his social media accounts not to do any stage dives off of his roof in Newtown during his live stream performance, feeling confident that he is going to be as safe as possible I feel comfortable endorsing this event. Now more than ever it is important to stay connected. The local music community is incredibly strong and will survive off the backs creative ideas like this one. Ed is going live from his awning this Sunday 29th March with his originals and some covers.
