SEÁN BARNA

PRESS

“Although the musical focus will see a shift from that aforementioned Kill Rock Stars debut’s glam-rock stylings toward a more bluegrass feel, Barna’s lyrical focus remains firmly planted on celebrating queer spaces and mourning the violence that they’ve historically attracted.”
-FLOOD Magazine (2024)

“This is raucous, messy, and emotionally rich music, as any art about queer nightlife ought to be.”
-Pitchfork (2023)
NPR Music
Billboard
American Songwriter
The Aquarian Weekly

“Seán Barna isn’t just among the current wave of queer artists ensuring the future of rock music has space for LGBTQ+ voices—he’s also making sure we’re all aware of the historical context that helped birth the current queer arts scenes.”
-FLOOD Magazine (2023)

BIO

In May 2023, SEÁN BARNA released a rock LP, An Evening at Macri Park, on the iconic indie label, Kill Rock Stars, to widespread critical acclaim from outlets such as NPR, Pitchfork, FLOOD Magazine, and Billboard. In their review of the LP, Pitchfork offered comparisons to Leonard Cohen, Harry Nilsson, and Rufus Wainwright, writing, "this is raucous, messy, and emotionally rich music, as any art about queer nightlife ought to be." 

Seán is no stranger to queer nightlife, but it’s the peaceful time he spent living in and visiting the most remote and beautiful areas of rural western Colorado that animates the heart of his upcoming folk EP, Internal Trembling. Recorded at the legendary Blackbird Studio in Nashville, four of the five songs feature the Nashville-based, traditional bluegrass supergroup, Hawktail. A fifth song, “Firefly,” is a collaboration between Seàn and Brooklyn-based producer, Kyle Joseph. The result is emotional, driving folk pop, with a slow, relentless build.

The visceral, intense performances Seán has become known for are animated by the evocative honesty of his songwriting and rooted in a vulnerable, intimate relationship with the audience. On Internal Trembling, stripped of any hint of the glam or roots rock influences of his previous recordings, Seán demonstrates just how comfortable he’s become with the evocative honesty that defines him as a songwriter.  

Hawktail is Paul Kowert (Punch Brothers, Dave Rawlings, Gillian Welch), Brittany Haas (Punch Brothers, Steve Martin), and Jordan Tice (Yola, Dave Rawlings, Steve Martin), with special guest Dominick Leslie (Molly Tuttle). 

Seán’s previous releases include, Pictures of an Exhibitionist (2014, LP), Margaret Thatcher of the Lower East Side (2020, EP), CISSY. (2018, EP), Cutter Street (2012, EP), and the single, “Straight Motherfuckers and Their Famous Friends.” In 2021, Seán opened for Counting Crows on their 22-date national tour. His most recent single is a refreshing cover of the song, “Mr. Jones” — a surprise birthday present to Counting Crows frontman, Adam Duritz.

SELECT PERFORMANCE HISTORY

2024 AUTUMN TOUR (with MIRAH)

Brooklyn, NY: Sleepwalk
Washington, DC: DC9
Richmond, VA: Gallery 5
Baltimore, MD: Black Cherry Puppet Theatre
Philadelphia, PA: Ortlieb’s
Austin, TX: Cheer Up Charlies

SXSW OFFICIAL ARTIST

2019, 2022, 2023

AN EVENING AT MACRI PARK TOUR (2023)

Rochester, NY: Radio Social
Brooklyn, NY: Baby’s Alright
Philadelphia, PA: Ortlieb's
Washington, DC: DC9
Erftstadt, DE
Hamburg, DE
Lübeck, DE
Kühlungsborn, DE
Prague, CZ
Krakow, PL
Vienna, AT
Hildesheim, DE
Rendsburg, DE
Chicago, IL: The Hideout
Detroit, MI: Lager House
Columbus, OH: Secret Studios
Madison, WI: Bur Oak
Omaha, NE: Pageturners Lounge
Denver, CO: Enigma Bazaar
Paonia, CO: Louie's Pizza
Vashon Island: Glass Bottle Creamery
Los Angeles, CA: Hotel Cafe
Phoenix, AZ: Fiddler's Dream
Austin, TX: Friends Bar
Austin, TX: Swan Dive (Hot Summer Nights Festival)
Lafayette, LA: Bluemoon Saloon
Baton Rouge, LA: YesWeCannibal
New Orleans, BJ’s Lounge

COUNTING CROWS TOUR (2021):

Atlantic City, NJ: Hard Rock Atlantic City
Boston, MA: Leader Bank Pavilion
Franklin, TN: FirstBank Amphitheater
Cincinnati, OH: PNC Pavilion, Riverbend Music Center
Detroit, MI: Meadowbrook
Indianapolis, IN: TCU Amphitheater, White River State Park
St. Louis, MO: Saint Louis Music Park
Denver, CO: Fillmore Auditorium
Salt Lake City, UT: Red Butte Garden
Spokane, WA: Pavilion at Riverfront
Redmond, WA: Marymoor Amphitheater
Troutdale, OR: Edgefield
Berkeley, CA: The Greek Theatre
Paso Robles, CA: Vina Robles Amphitheater
Murphys, CA: Ironstone Amphitheater
San Diego, CA: Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Phoenix, AZ: Arizona Federal Theatre
Austin, TX: Moody Amphitheater, Waterloo Greenway
Irving, TX: The Pavilion, Toyota Music Factory
Rogers, AR: Walmart Amp
New Orleans, LA: Saenger Theatre
Jacksonville, FL: Daily's Place
Atlanta, GA: Chastain Park Ampitheater