Biography
Courtney Melba Barnett was born in Sydney, Australia, on 3 November 1987, and given her middle name after the famous opera singer Nellie Melba. She grew up in Sydney's Northern Beaches in a musically rich household with a ballet-dancer mother and artist father, where she was exposed to jazz and classical music. At age 10, she began playing guitar, initially learning Nirvana songs. When she was 16, her family relocated to Hobart, Tasmania, where she attended St Michael's Collegiate School and the Tasmanian School of Art. Inspired by Australian singer-songwriters Darren Hanlon and Dan Kelly, she began writing her own songs.
After moving to Melbourne at age 20 to pursue music full-time, Barnett worked various jobs including pizza delivery and bartending while collaborating with local musicians. Between 2010 and 2013, she played in several bands including the post-grunge outfit Rapid Transit, the Olivettes, and the country-psych band Immigrant Union, where she played slide guitar and shared vocal duties. Her breakthrough came with the release of her debut EP I've Got a Friend Called Emily Ferris in 2012 on her own label, Milk! Records, followed by The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas in 2013, which garnered international attention. Her debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit was released in 2015 to widespread critical acclaim, earning her four ARIA Music Awards, a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, and a Brit Award nomination for International Female Solo Artist.
Barnett is renowned for her deadpan singing style and witty, rambling lyrics that showcase her skills as both a deft lyricist and virtuosic guitarist. Her distinctive musical voice and clever, detailed songwriting have established her as one of Australia's most successful musical exports. She continues to perform and record, often collaborating with her band featuring lead guitarist and keyboardist Dan Luscombe, a configuration she has dubbed "CB3" on social media.
Fun Facts
- Barnett's middle name 'Melba' was given to her after the famous opera singer Nellie Melba
- Before becoming a full-time musician, she worked as a pizza delivery driver and bartender to pay her bills
- Her song 'Avant Gardener' from The Double EP was named 'Track of the Day' by Q Magazine and 'Best New Track' by Pitchfork, while 'History Eraser' was nominated for an APRA Song of the Year award
- In August 2015, her UK label launched a surprise campaign for 'Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go to the Party' featuring billboards and posters in major cities, culminating in a surprise street performance in London
Associated Acts
- Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile - eponymous
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Darren Hanlon - Australian singer-songwriter who inspired Barnett to start writing songs (Inspired songwriting approach) [Teenage years (pre-2005)]
- Dan Kelly - Australian singer-songwriter who inspired Barnett to start writing songs (Inspired songwriting approach) [Teenage years (pre-2005)]
- Paul Kelly - Artist who inspired Barnett's early career in Melbourne bands (Career inspiration) [2010s]
Key Collaborators
- Brent DeBoer - Dandy Warhols drummer who co-founded Immigrant Union and played drums on Barnett's first EP (I've Got a Friend Called Emily Ferris (EP), Immigrant Union) [2011-2013]
- Jen Cloher - Singer-songwriter and romantic partner; Barnett played lead guitar on her album (In Blood Memory (2013), co-written song 'Numbers') [2013-present]
- Dan Luscombe - Lead guitarist and keyboardist in Barnett's band; co-produced her first album (Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, EPs, live performances) [2012-present]
- The Olivettes - Band that recorded early versions of Barnett's songs (Live EP demo CD) [2010-2012]
- Rapid Transit - Melbourne grunge band where Barnett played second guitar (Self-titled album (cassette)) [2010-2011]
- Immigrant Union - Australian psych-country band co-founded by Brent DeBoer; Barnett shared vocal duties and played slide guitar (Anyway (second studio album)) [2011-2013]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #alternative-rock, #indie-rock, #left-handed-musicians
Heard on WWOZ
Courtney Barnett has been played 4 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.