Courtney Barnett
In May of 2021, Courtney Barnett and collaborator/producer Stella Mozgawa had just handed in the final masters for Barnett’s third album Things Take Time, Take Time when they met up with filmmaker Danny Cohen in a Melbourne studio. Barnett had been experimenting with new gear, making meditative long-form pieces for an audience of one. Mozgawa had just bought an Oberheim OB6 which became the center-piece of her setup, feeding sounds through a tape echo. And for his part, Cohen had a near- finished documentary, Anonymous Club, a candid portrayal of the travails and hard- fought personal triumphs of Barnett’s ascent to international indie rock adulation. Now, he just needed a score.
As Cohen played the final edit of his film that day, Barnett and Mozgawa improvised with one guiding principle—nothing too maudlin, obvious, or instructive, nothing to tell the future audience how they should be feeling about Barnett’s life onscreen. Anonymous Club offers up a plethora of Barnett’s music, documenting her charged live sets and her start-and-stop-and-search songwriting process. The pieces she and Mozgawa made that day, though, float around the edges of the finished scenes, coloring the proceedings much like the grain of Cohen’s 16mm film. Really, one could watch Anonymous Club and never know that Barnett made extra music for it.
A year passed and Barnett found she liked listening to what they had made in Melbourne, putting it on and existing within its reflective gaze. Might this be more than the instrumental music of a film? She began sorting through the panoply of little instrumentals like amoebic puzzle pieces, figuring out how she might adjust them ever so slightly until they fit together into a complete and compelling picture. Almost everything on the result of that work—a seamless series of 17 instrumental improvisations she now calls End of the Day —stems from the film. But this is soundtrack as sound-art collage, reordering and reframing the past to shape and share a different story about who we have been and what we might become.
Courtney Barnett News
A new and gorgeous chapter from Courtney Barnett is officially out today with the release of her instrumental album End Of The Day. Comprised of 17 improvisations that were originally recorded in 2021 as part of the score to the film Anonymous Club, Barnett returned to these tracks a year later, remixing, re-ordering and reframing them into a seamless meditative collage.
Courtney Barnett has today announced the release of the instrumental album End Of The Day. Comprised of 17 seamless improvisations which were originally created as part of the score to the documentary about Barnett titled Anonymous Club.
End Of The Day is a meditative, slow-burning and beautiful record, prioritizing atmosphere, tone and texture over traditional song structures and melodic hooks. It's a fearless and stunning turn for an artist who built her formidable reputation through profound lyricism and riff-based fireworks.
Courtney Barnett releases her highly anticipated album Things Take TIme, Take Time. The album has already received incredible nods from press, including a lengthy feature in print from The New York Times, as well as glowing reviews from NME , DIY, and Slant.
Keep reading to hear what critics are saying about the album.
Courtney Barnett is back with a brand new single "Write A List of Things To Look Forward To" which is a moving, heartfelt love letter to friendship. "Write A List of Things To Look Forward To" is also accompanied by an uplifting music video.
Read more for Courtney’s words on the new single…
Keep reading on to learn more about the upcoming album:
Courtney Barnett is back with brand new single “Rae Street” which comes alongside the announcement of her third studio album Things Take Time, Take Time due out November 12th. “Rae Street” is accompanied by delightful music video, which sees Courtney play a variety of different characters, set in what otherwise would be a typical suburban sprawl.
Keep reading on to learn more about the upcoming album:
Last week, at the invitation of MTV Australia, Courtney Barnett performed a unique show in her hometown of Melbourne, Australia. Performing 8 songs to an intimate crowd in the outdoor courtyard of Howler Bar, this “Unplugged” appearance showcases Barnett like you’ve never heard her before. Inviting some of her favorite musicians to to play with her, the show welcomed Paul Kelly, Marlon Williams, and Evelyn Ida Morris to the stage as well. MTV Unplugged Live in Melbourne is available to be streamed now and will be released physically on February 21, pre-order it HERE.
Courtney Barnett returns with her brand new single, “Everybody Here Hates You,” that derived from her 2018 Tell Me How You Really Feel studio sessions and is the final installment from the critically acclaimed sophomore album.
Its officially award season and Courtney Barnett is receiving a ton of praise for her 2018 album ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel.’ Courtney Barnett and ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’ have been nominated for 8 Aria Awards including Album of the Year, Best Female Artist, Best Rock Album, Best Independent Release, Best Video, and Best Live Act. Courtney Was also nominated for Best Contemporary Album for her collaborative album with Kurt Vile, ‘Lotta Sea Lice.’ This years ARIA nominations matches the number of that Courtney received for her debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit.
Courtney Barnett has returned with her follow up to her latest studio album, ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’ with her new track “Small Talk.” The track is an unheard and unreleased track from the sessions which gave birth to Courtneys critically acclaimed album ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel.’ The track is released as apart of Mom + Pop’s ‘10 Years of Mom + Pop’ Compilation Album as a track on the “Rarities” portion of the three disc LP.
The long wait is over! Courtney Barnett has officially released her second studio album, Tell Me How You Really Feel. Tell Me How You Really Feel dives into the crazy world her life has turned into following the success of her debut album, Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit. She touches on topics that range from frustration and isolation to strength and optimism. Perhaps the album's first track title says it all: Hopefulesssness. This is Courtney's most honest work to date by far so if you have yet to take the plunge, the journey starts here
Courtney Barnett knows that you're patiently awaiting her new album, Tell Me How You Really Feel, out on May 18th. So, in order to keep your appetite satisfied for the time being, she's dropped a brand new single "City Looks Pretty," along with an accompanying video. Watch the clip above to witness fuzzy, hypnotizing visuals, multiple picturesque scenarios, and a colorful kaleidoscope in motion.
Under the Radar's Spring 2018 issue has officially been released, and we're pleased to announce that our very own Courtney Barnett is featured on the cover! The story precedes the May 18th due date of Barnett's sophomore record Tell Me How You Really Feel, and includes a 4,000 word interview conducted by writer Matt Fink. Give it a read here.
Courtney Barnett has dropped another tune from her upcoming record, Tell Me How You Really Feel, due out on May 18th. The song, titled "Need a Little Time," is accompanied by a colorful, vibrant video directed by none other than Danny Cohen, which depicts Courtney Barnett in a number of surreal scenarios looking slick in a blue jumpsuit.
Our very own Courtney Barnett has covered INXS' "Never Tear Us Apart" for a beautiful Apple commercial supporting marriage equality, which was recently legalized in Australia. The video depicts several sets of ecstatic same-sex couples celebrating their right to get married with a passionate first dance.
Today's the day! Courtney Barnett has finally announced her latest record, Tell Me How You Really Feel, out on May 18. Along with the good news, Barnett has also dropped "Nameless, Faceless," a witty new song about the imbalance of power between men and women in today's society. Make sure to pre-order the album and check the U.S. tour dates to see if Barnett will be coming to your city. Stay tuned for more coming soon.
Looks like Courtney Barnett's got something cooking in the kitchen! This week, Barnett shared an intimate, two minute album trailer previewing her upcoming album, and we must say, there's much to be excited about.
Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile's collaborative album, "Lotta Sea Lice," is available everywhere today! Needless to say, these two are a match made in heaven. Be sure to catch them live as they start their North American tour - dates and tickets here.
Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile just released their 2nd track on their collaborative album, Lotta Sea Lice. Have a look at their new "Continental Breakfast" music video directed by Danny Cohen, who also directed their "Over Everything" video.
Earlier this summer, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile announced a collaborative project including a tour and album. Now, the project has been given a name, first song, music video and more!
Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile will lead an all-star band on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of North America this fall.
The announcement comes as two of this generation's most exciting and unique singer-songwriters reveal that they have completed a collaboration album for release later this year.
Courtney Barnett released a new recording of an old song called "How To Boil An Egg." The song was already released on 7" vinyl as part of the Bedroom Suck/Milk! Records Split Singles Club. Now it's out in the world digitally and available to listen/download everywhere!
Just announced: Courtney Barnett will be opening for Patti Smith at Festival Hall in Melbourne on April 20th. Patti Smith will be concluding a five-date Australian tour, and this show is expected to be her last ever in Australia. A longtime fan, Courtney Barnett performed Patti Smith's 1975 album Horses in full at a Melbourne show in late 2015, and this morning Courtney posted the show poster on her Instagram saying "Dreams can come true." This is also Courtney Barnett's only Australian show currently scheduled for 2017.
After conquering the festival circuit, sweeping up awards season, and rocking the season finale of SNL, Courtney Barnett has been awarded with the Breakthrough Artist of the Year award at this year's A2IM Libera Awards. The awards celebrate the successes of the independent music community including both artists and labels. We could not be more proud to be a part of the Courtney team and can't wait to see what she has in store next.
Courtney Barnett closed this season of SNL with a killer performance. The Aussie rocker played "Pedestrian at Best" and "Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go To The Party," both from her Grammy-nominated debut LP Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit. The episode, hosted by none other than Fred Armisen, was a match made in heaven. Guest appearances from Carrie Brownstein, Larry David, Lonely Island and more only made the night that much sweeter.
We could not be more stoked to announce that Courtney Barnett will be performing on the season finale of SNL! The episode, hosted by none other than the legendary Fred Armisen, will air on NBC May 21! Tune in to see what is sure to be a finale of epic proportions and be sure to grab a copy of Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit.
Courtney Barnett took home the award for "Songwriter of the Year" at the 2016 APRA Music Awards. This is one of many recognitions Courtney has received including nods from: Triple J, the GRAMMYs, the BRITs, the ARIAs, and the Australian Music Prize.
After being shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize, Courtney has won for her debut LP Sometimes I Sit And Think And Sometimes I Just Sit.
Courtney Barnett stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night to perform her song "Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go To The Party." The Aussie singer, fresh off her trip to the Grammy's where she was nominated for 'Best New Artist,' let loose on the late night stage with a stellar performance of the tune.
Courtney Barnett's Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit is one of ten albums on the short list for the 11th annual Australian Music Prize. The winner will be announced on March 9 in Sydney.
Courtney Barnett takes us on a ride in her new music video for "Elevator Operator."
Featuring cameos from Sleater-Kinney, Jeff Tweedy and more familiar faces, the video follows a day in the life of an elevator operator played by none other than Courtney herself. Directed by Sunny Leunig, the video takes place in a bizarre building in which Courtney encounters flying bowling balls, rockin' nuns, and a rooftop concert. The video's literal yet surreal interpretation of the song captures the humorously imaginative touch of the track itself.