Close-up: Barney Barnett – No Favours

(written by Barney Barnett)

“‘No Favours’ is about someone who’s been there, done that and doesn’t want anyone’s help because they feel they are above that. I’m sure we have all come across those types in life.

Its the first release of what will be a debut album. The idea came to me one evening when I was noodling on my guitar in the spare bedroom of my house. The main riff, verse and chorus came almost instantly and before I knew it, I had a full song. It was first demoed on my phone using a 4 track app. I would record the riff on an acoustic guitar then layer vocals/harmonies and sax over the top.

Once I had shown the idea to the guitarist we went to Music Box Rehearsal studios in Cardiff so I could nail down the drum ideas. It was then recorded at Stompbox Recording Studios with Todd Campbell during an open window in the restrictions and features myself on Vocals, Saxophone and Drums. The guitars were played by very good friends of mine, Dan Gribble & Jazz artist/producer Huw Marc Bennett played Bass. We all wore masks in the studio and as there were only 3 of us recording it was quite easy to keep our distance. All the parts were recorded separately so once one person was finished they were no longer needed in the studio which helped with the social distancing.

The idea of my sound is to do something different but at the same time bring back some Rock nostalgia to hook the listener in and take them by surprise. The sax solo certainly adds that element.”

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The ‘Close-up’ series contains insight provided by artists about their work.