George Barnett (musician born 1993)

George Barnett (born 11 December 1993 in Rugby, Warwickshire, England) is a British recording artist, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He writes, plays and performs his own compositions and is known for his recordings in which he plays many INSTRUMENTS and produces himself.

Early life

George Barnett was born in Rugby, Warwickshire on 11 December 1993. He was home educated by his mother, after he had attended primary school. He began to learn the piano and drums at an early age and later progressed to other instruments. In 2003, he moved to Herefordshire, England, where he was educated at home. He won the UK National Young Drummer of the Year competition in 2008 – aged fourteen, he was the youngest winner ever to have entered.

Music career

2009–12: Career beginnings, Sierra Planes, 17 Days and Where The Devil Sleeps

Barnett plays most instruments on his songs, as well as being the sole writer. This way of working stemmed from when he began recording for his first EP Sierra Planes (2010) and he couldn't find local musicians interested in playing with him.

17 Days, his first mixtape, was uploaded onto The Pirate Bay in March 2012. It was a compiled collection of songs released throughout 2011 as part of a series in which he would write, record and release one song every seventeen days. The mixtape was successful among file-sharing forums, and Barnett received praise for his approach regarding the Open Music Model marketing of the tape and the eclectic mix of material. The following December, Barnett released a new song entitled "Where The Devil Sleeps". The song highlighted an increased baroque and rock influence, with a string orchestra and guitars featuring heavily. The song was released as an EP on Bandcamp a few days later, with alternative versions of "Lone Rose" and "17 Days" (formally released on the 17 Days mixtape).

2013–present: The Red Tape, Animal Keeper and 3 Statues

In September 2013, Barnett released The Red Tape as a free download from his website. This marked the first time he had employed sampling in his own work, utilising elements from the soundtrack to the 2012 movie Beasts of the Southern Wild and spoken word excerpts from The Perks of Being A Wallflower.

In September and October 2013, Barnett went on tour with fellow singer-songwriters Frank Hamilton and Orla Gartland. At the same time he finished his third EP, mixing in hotel rooms as the tour progressed. 18 UK dates were played, followed by a sold out show at Les Trois Baudets, Paris. Soon after, a new song "Animal Keeper" debuted on BBC Radio 1, and the Animal Keeper EP was released. All songwriting and production was by Barnett.

Barnett spent the first half of 2014 touring with his live band, and in March a new song called "3 Statues" was released. A video series also began on his YouTube channel, called "The George Barnett Diaries". The series will continue for 10 episodes, following Barnett as he tours Europe and writes & records new songs at his Herefordshire home.

When Barnett performs live, he is supported by other musicians.

Discography

Extended plays

• Sierra Planes – EP (2010)
• Where The Devil Sleeps – EP (2012)
• Animal Keeper – EP (2013)

Mixtapes

• 17 Days – Mixtape (2012)

• The Red Tape – Mixtape (2013)

Videos

Aside from his music, George Barnett is also known for his self-produced videos.

He has directed past videos himself, including "College Kids" & "Silent Sound" from Sierra Planes, "Lone Rose", "Bewitched" and "Cassi" from 17 Days, and "Where The Devil Sleeps". The video for "Animal Keeper" premiered on Ryan Seacrest's website on 22 September 2013.

Barnett has also recorded cover versions, playing all the instruments and singing, including Kendrick Lamar's Swimming Pools (Drank), Daft Punk's Get Lucky, and Lana Del Rey's Ride. All three were included on The Red Tape.