In a discussion about the future of music, independent artist Courtney Barnett reflects on the impact of the godfather of grunge, the powerful influence of fingerstyle, the role of AI, and her upcoming plans.
Courtney Barnett, the Australian singer-songwriter, has had a productive 2025 thus far. She took part in the Neil Young tribute album, Heart of Gold, with a captivating dream pop-style cover of 'Lotta Love'. This rendition, characterized by spectral reverb and ethereal textures, may be unexpected for fans who appreciate Barnett's signature suburban, homespun sound, as heard on her debut LP, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit.
However, the shift in style might not come as a surprise, considering her versatile artistic endeavors. One recent example is her 2023 soundtrack album, End of the Day, which boasts an instrumental approach that emphasizes Barnett's expertise as a guitarist without any vocal or narrative elements. For those curious about why an electric guitarist would forgo the use of a plectrum, Jeff Beck's statements or a listen to End of the Day could provide some enlightenment.
Based in LA, Barnett is currently working on a new studio album, with the goal of completing it by year-end. As of now, her focus is on writing and recording, although she did appear in a recent Fender Sessions video, where she reimagined two tracks from her LP, Things Take Time, Take Time.
When asked about her selection of 'Lotta Love' for the Heart of Gold tribute album, Barnett expressed her affection for the song and stressed its uniqueness. The process, she explained, involved giving her producer and engineer creative freedom in the control room, which led to a somewhat unplanned direction change during recording. The final version, Bathnett explained, differs slightly from its initial, more reckless incarnation.
Regarding the dreamy atmosphere of her Heart of Gold cover, as well as the subtle differences found in Things Take Time compared to her earlier records, Barnett acknowledged that these nuances may not always be evident to her while immersed in the creative process. However, she hinted at forthcoming new material that maintains a varied dynamism in terms of atmosphere, which could suggest that the dreamy Neil Young cover reflects a direction she plans to continue exploring.
The writing process for her upcoming album typically involves Barnett creating Basics and then presenting them to her band. While she has experimented with bringing finished songs to the studio in the past, Barnett models her approach as mostly individual and open to spontaneity. As for the album's current status, she feels she's in the final quarter, with only finishing touches left on the lyrics.
Two highlights from Things Take Time raised eyebrows in the recent Fender Sessions videos. The rendition of 'Turning Green' particularly showcased a grittier sound, incorporating elements reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix and Sonic Youth. Barnett explained that the studio process for this song involved a significant switch in direction, resulting in a revamped version that had grown into its own entity since the record's release.
When it comes to picking up her Jaguar, the choice was motivated by the desire to compensate for the absence of a second guitarist during live performances. Barnett confirmed that there is a resonance quality specific to the Jag that separates it from other guitars like the Telecaster and Stratocaster.
The interim since the last record has found Barnett exploring various aspects of songwriting and musicianship. She has learned the importance of practicing and challenging herself to break out of established patterns. For instance, she recently purchased a baritone guitar, which she hopes to incorporate into future projects.
Addressing the rise of AI and its potential impact on musicians, Barnett acknowledged the complexity of the issue but highlighted the timelessness of human connection. While the discussions surrounding AI are fascinating, Barnett believes that real, unplugged music will always prevail, even amid technological advancements that may render computers obsolete one day.
- Courtney Barnett's new studio album, currently in the final quarter of production, will likely feature a varied dynamism in terms of atmosphere, possibly continuing the dreamy exploration started with her Neil Young tribute cover.
- In the Fender Sessions videos, Courtney Barnett reimagined 'Turning Green' with a grittier sound reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix and Sonic Youth, a drastic departure from the original recording.
- The electric Jaguar guitar, a recent addition to Courtney Barnett's collection, was chosen to compensate for the absence of a second guitarist during live performances, appreciating its unique resonance quality compared to other electric guitars like the Telecaster and Stratocaster.
- For those curious about why an electric guitarist might forgo a plectrum, Jeff Beck's statements or a listen to Barnett's instrumental soundtrack End of the Day could provide some enlightenment.
- In the recording process for Things Take Time, Courtney Barnett emphasized giving her producer and engineer creative freedom, which led to unplanned direction changes, as demonstrated in the more dreamy atmosphere of some tracks compared to her earlier records.
- To challenge herself and break out of established patterns, Courtney Barnett recently purchased a baritone guitar and is considering incorporating it into future projects, demonstrating her ongoing passion for learning and growing as a musician.
