Barbaro’s “One x One” Is An Aching Blues

12 September, 2023Print

Barbaro’s “One x One” Is An Aching Blues

The Latest From New Album About the Winter

(October 20 / StorySound Records)

Today, the rising Minneapolis-based roots group Barbaro has released their second single, “One x One,” the latest release from About the Winter, a new album out October 20 via StorySound Records. The song exemplifies the album’s expansive, atmospheric take on roots music: From a cavernous and minimalistic soundscape, fiddler Rachel Calvert’s ringing voice emerges with a deliberate performance of vulnerability and power. Meanwhile, her bandmates — songwriter Kyle Shelstad on guitar and Jason Wells on bass — ground the otherworldly sounds to a warmly strummed acoustic bedding.

Watch the video for “One x One” here.

As Shelstad explains:

"When we first started working on 'One x One,' we immediately all agreed that Rachel should perform the lead vocals. Her voice fits the tune nicely and her delicate delivery of the lyrics brought a new dynamic to their meaning. The original lyrics of the song were improvised by Rachel as a satire, cracking jokes about the weird things people pay money for. While we really enjoyed the laughs, we all agreed this first iteration of the lyrics didn't fit the overall theme of the album. So a day or so before heading into the studio I wrote some new words for it.

For me 'One x One' boils down to the unspoken expectation of oneself to be perceived by others as strong and confident, unweathered by storms and always forging ahead–something I have always personally struggled with. I hope listeners are left with a sense of contentment after listening to this song. While it comes across as a sad tune, its intent is to be one of vulnerability, reflection, comfort, and clarity."

This release comes after the release of their lead single “Gardens” a song that pairs Shelstad’s vulnerable and urgent vocals with the refined, slow-blooming instrumental interplay of his bandmates. Atwood called it “a spellbinding moment of raw emotion and wonder.” Watch the official “Gardens” music video here.

Barbaro — named after the beloved, tragically euthanized Kentucky Derby champion horse — recorded About the Winter during the winter of 2022 with Brian Joseph (Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, yMusic) at his The Hive studio, a refurbished barn outside of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Joseph played a pivotal role in the album, engineering, mixing, and co-producing the album with Shelstad. Joseph helped the band craft a distinctive, enveloping sonic landscape that combined their acoustic instruments with a rich bed of synthetic sound — they cite electronic musician Jon Hopkins as a particular influence. From the shimmering album overture “Apples To Apples” on through the ghostly bluegrass throwdown “Ike’s Farewell,” Barbaro conjures up a varied and engaging inversion of roots music orthodoxy.

On About the Winter, Barbaro’s pastoral Americana sound feels both traditional and progressive — though they incorporate roots instrumentation, Barbaro’s compositions value texture and gesture over technical prowess. The band works in concert to deliver indelible moments: emotional gut-punches, moments of clarity, and submissions to beauty in the face of overwhelming odds.

About The Winter follow’s 2020’s Dressed In Roses, which The Bluegrass Situation commended for “brightening the Midwest bluegrass scene." The Minneapolis Star-Tribune praised the “elegant yet understated violin and banjo parts alongside singer/guitarist Kyle Shelstad’s Mumford meets Paul Simon type of songwriting,” while Minnesota Public Radio says that “Barbaro budge beyond the bounds of bluegrass…I find myself leaning into the sound, trying to figure out where this unique blend came from, and where it’s going next.”

This fall, Barbaro will take their music on the road throughout the United States on a headlining tour, culminating in a hometown performance on December 2 at the Cedar Cultural Center. The full routing can be found below. More details here: https://www.barbaroband.com/

Barbaro Tour Dates

Wed Nov 1 Des Moines, IA XBK

Thu Nov 2 St. Louis, MO Off Broadway

Fri Nov 3 Nashville, TN The Basement

Sat Nov 4 Atlanta, GA Eddies Attic

Sun Nov 5 Asheville, NC The Outpost

Tue Nov 7 Philadelphia, PA MilkBoy Philly

Wed Nov 8 New York, NY Mercury Lounge

Thu Nov 9 Boston, MA Cafe 939

Fri Nov 10 Albany, NY The Linda

Sat Nov 11 Burlington, VT Radio Bean

Tue Nov 14 Toronto, CAN Monarch