Biography
Merging diaphanous dream-pop textures with understated indie electronica, the Brooklyn-based project Barrie takes its name from primary songwriter and producer Barrie Lindsay. Initially assembled as a five-piece, the act issued its first full-length, Happy to Be Here, in 2019. By 2021 the endeavor had shifted to a solo vehicle, allowing Lindsay to unveil material from the follow-up LP Barbara, a self-recorded 2022 set that leaned into more assertive sonic environments while exploring intimate songwriting themes.
Lindsay, who also functions as a multi-instrumentalist, first explored instruments and recording gear while growing up in Ipswich, Massachusetts, later completing a music degree at Wesleyan University. Throughout her twenties she resided primarily in Boston, quietly posting occasional solo recordings online until a manager discovered the tracks and urged a relocation to Brooklyn.
At The Lot Radio in Brooklyn she connected with future collaborators including DJs Noah Prebish, who contributes guitar and synthesizers, and Spurge Carter on keyboards. The lineup expanded with London-born Dominic Apa—previously of Is Tropical and DOM—handling drums and São Paulo-born Sabine Holler on bass. The quintet soon signed with Winspear, which put out the EP Singles in October 2018. Barrie supported Yelle on New York-area dates that November and joined Miya Folick for a U.S. tour in early 2019. Co-produced by Lindsay and engineer Jake Aron—known for work with Snail Mail and Fort Lean—the debut album Happy to Be Here appeared in May 2019 and peaked just outside the Top 20 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart. One month later the group disbanded, leaving Lindsay to steer the project alone.
She resurfaced in 2021 with the self-produced singles “Dig” and “Frankie,” on which she played roughly a dozen instruments ranging from synthesizer and slide guitar to mandolin and drums; Winspear issued the pair as a 7-inch that December. Both tracks later appeared on the second album Barbara, written, recorded, engineered, and produced entirely by Lindsay. The only additional performers were drummers Ben Lumsdaine and her brother Jack Lindsay on select songs, plus backing vocals from spouse Gabrielle Smith of Gabby’s World. Barbara reached stores via Winspear in March 2022. That same year she issued the standalone single “Doesn’t Really Matter,” originally tracked shortly after her debut.
Lindsay, who also functions as a multi-instrumentalist, first explored instruments and recording gear while growing up in Ipswich, Massachusetts, later completing a music degree at Wesleyan University. Throughout her twenties she resided primarily in Boston, quietly posting occasional solo recordings online until a manager discovered the tracks and urged a relocation to Brooklyn.
At The Lot Radio in Brooklyn she connected with future collaborators including DJs Noah Prebish, who contributes guitar and synthesizers, and Spurge Carter on keyboards. The lineup expanded with London-born Dominic Apa—previously of Is Tropical and DOM—handling drums and São Paulo-born Sabine Holler on bass. The quintet soon signed with Winspear, which put out the EP Singles in October 2018. Barrie supported Yelle on New York-area dates that November and joined Miya Folick for a U.S. tour in early 2019. Co-produced by Lindsay and engineer Jake Aron—known for work with Snail Mail and Fort Lean—the debut album Happy to Be Here appeared in May 2019 and peaked just outside the Top 20 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart. One month later the group disbanded, leaving Lindsay to steer the project alone.
She resurfaced in 2021 with the self-produced singles “Dig” and “Frankie,” on which she played roughly a dozen instruments ranging from synthesizer and slide guitar to mandolin and drums; Winspear issued the pair as a 7-inch that December. Both tracks later appeared on the second album Barbara, written, recorded, engineered, and produced entirely by Lindsay. The only additional performers were drummers Ben Lumsdaine and her brother Jack Lindsay on select songs, plus backing vocals from spouse Gabrielle Smith of Gabby’s World. Barbara reached stores via Winspear in March 2022. That same year she issued the standalone single “Doesn’t Really Matter,” originally tracked shortly after her debut.
Albums
Singles
