Del Barber
Del Barber, October 2014
Background information
Birth nameDelainey Doucha Barber[1]
Born (1983-10-14) October 14, 1983
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada[2]
OriginWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
  • record producer
Instrument(s)
Years active2005–present
Labels
Websitewww.delbarber.com

Delainey Doucha Barber (born October 14, 1983) is a Canadian independent folk, folk rock, Americana, and alternative country singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. Barber has been nominated for and won a number of awards including a being nominated for a 2011 Juno Award for Love Songs of the Last 20 in the category of Roots & Traditional Album of the Year - Solo.[5][6] Later in 2011 he won two Western Canadian Music Awards for Independent Album of the Year and Roots Solo Recording of the Year.[2][7][8] In 2012, Barber was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award in the category of Solo Artist of the Year.[9] In 2013, he once again won the Roots Solo Recording of the Year for Headwaters at the Western Canadian Music Awards.[10] In 2020, he was nominated for a Juno Award in the category of Contemporary Roots Album of the Year.

Early life

Barber was born on October 14, 1983, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada[2] to Boyd Barber and Jean Doucha. Growing up in the St. Norbert neighbourhood of Winnipeg,[3] he took up the guitar. By the time he was sixteen, he was writing music and performing in different bands.[3] One summer, after working to save up money, he recorded the songs he had written.[3] This was first glimpse of Del writing and producing his own music. After his first self recording became a hit among his friends, they encouraged and convinced him to play a live show.[3] Despite his early success, Barber was doubtful about this being a viable career choice.[3] But as he finished school and moved on to college, he would continue with music.

He cites some of his influences as Townes Van Zandt,[2][11][12] Greg Brown,[2][11][13] John Prine,[2][11][13][14][15] Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle,[16] Wilco,[12] Bruce Springsteen,[2][13] Neil Young,[14][17] Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, Lucinda Williams,[2] Loretta Lynn,[2] Mississippi John Hurt,[2] Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Merle Haggard,[2] The Band,[2][17] Ryan Adams, and Rancid.[14] Del is also influenced by authors such as Farley Mowat,[13] Wendell Berry, Jack Kerouac, and Kathleen Norris.

Career

Early career

Barber continued recording music while attending Covenant Bible College. From there he would start playing shows all across North America. During his one year at North Park University studying philosophy, he would continue to write music.[18] He would then make his way back to Winnipeg to continue studying philosophy.

After the release of two early demo albums, Barber went back into the studio to record his eleven-track album Where the City Ends. With many positive reviews of this album, he continued to tour extensively in support of the album. Where the City Ends was nominated in the category of Roots Solo Album of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. In 2010, Barber released his second album entitled Love Songs for the Last 20. Once again, Barber had critical success with the album and continued to tour extensively. In August 2010, Barber was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award for Roots Solo Album of the Year for Where the City Ends. The album also received a second nomination for Best Album Design of the Year which album designer Brooke Nelson was nominated. In 2011, he was nominated for a Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year - Solo for Love Songs for the Last 20.[5][6] On April 11, 2011 Barber appeared as the musical guest and interview on the CBC Radio One show Q with Jian Ghomeshi. The show was taped live as a part of The Winnipeg Comedy Festival. Barber performed "Miles & Years" and "As Far As I Can Tell."[19] Later in 2011, Barber's career continued to reach new heights when he won two Western Canadian Music Awards for Independent Album of the Year and Roots Solo Recording of the Year.[7][8]

Headwaters and Prairieography (2012-2014)

In early 2012, Barber signed a deal with Six Shooter Records.[20] Headwaters was released on May 1.[20] The album was co-produced with Sam Kassirer in which thirty demo tracks were recorded before ten were chosen for the album.[20] In support of the album, Barber embarked on a cross Canada tour opening for Old Man Luedecke.[20][21] Barber had an album release show at the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg on October 26, 2012.[13] He was nominated in the 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards in the category of Solo Artist of the Year.[9]

On September 17, 2013, True North Records announced that they signed Del. He released his first record on the label in February 2014.[22][23] Four of the tracks were uploaded to his NoiseTrade page to promote the album. At the 2013 Western Canadian Music Awards, Barber once again took home the award for Roots Solo Recording of the Year for Headwaters.[10]

The album entitled Prairieography was released on February 4, 2014.[24][25] The album was co-produced by William "Bill" J. Western in Winnipeg at Empire Recording.[25] Western also played in Barber's band. Part of the album was recorded in a silo in order to get the sound they wanted.[25][26]

Barber embarked on a tour of the prairies from January 23 to March 27 in support of the album.[25] Barber was nominated for three Canadian Folk Music Awards in the categories of Contemporary Singer of the Year, English Songwriter of the Year, and Solo Artist of the Year.[27]

The Puck Drops Here and Easy Keeper (2016-2019)

With Prairieography being dubbed as what could have been a career-making opus, Barber moved from Winnipeg to a farm in rural Manitoba to begin work on a follow-up album.[15]

On April 15, 2016; Barber along with the No Regretzkys released The Puck Drops Here through True North Records.[28] With Barber being a hockey fan, this was a hockey themed album with distinct rock and country sounds. Barber was in contact with True North sending them demos of songs he had been working on, but received no feedback. Those songs would later be put on the album that would become Easy Keeper. After not getting any feedback on those demos, Barber had the idea for a hockey themed album as it was never done before.[15]

It features covers of well-known songs such as Stompin' Tom Connors's "The Hockey Song," Coach's Corner segment of Hockey Night in Canada theme "Flame of Victory," and Tom Cochrane's "Big League." It also features covers of lesser known songs such as The Hanson Brothers' "Hockey Night Tonight" and Pursuit of Happiness' "Gretzky Rocks." Barber added some originals including "Hudson Bay Rules" and the single off the album "The Lights Go Out."[28] The album was produced by Corb Lund guitarist Grant Siemens.[28]

Barber's refusal to promote the album led to tensions between himself and the label. He was subsequently dropped by True North and his agent as a result.[15]

On June 10, 2018; Barber started a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for his next album entitled Easy Keeper..[29] He stated that he took a hiatus and was now wanting to produce a new album. His goal was $7,500; but in less than a week, Barber was able to raise over $13,000. In total he was able to raise $23,021 towards the album.[29]

On January 15, 2019; Mavens Music Management announced that Barber joined their management roster.[30] On May 3, Barber posted on Instagram that the first single "No Easy Way Out" was released and premiered on the CBC Radio One show Q.[31] Barber has said that "No Easy Way Out" is about a gas station attendant in Virden, Manitoba.

"She's been working there for decades. I finally was able to convince her to give me a bit of her story after modestly flirting with her for a few years. This is her story."[32]

Also on May 3, Maven's Music announced the official Easy Keeper release date of September 6 and that Barber was signed to Acronym Records.[33] On August 9, Barber announced on Instagram the release of the second single entitled "Patient Man."[34]

On January 28, 2020; it was announced that Barber was nominated for a Juno Award in the category of Contemporary Roots Album of the Year for Easy Keeper.[35] In the summer of 2020, with the announcement of the Western Canadian Music Awards, Barber was nominated in the categories of Roots Artist of the Year and Songwriter(s) of the Year.[36]

Stray Dogs and Almanac (2021-present)

On June 23, 2021, Del Barber announced that through the winter, he worked on new music. The first single entitled "Meantime" was released on June 25. On July 2, Del announced Stray Dogs: Collected B-Sides Volume 1 was the next album that would be released on August 20.[37] The second single "Nothing Left to Find" was released on July 23.

On June 8, 2022, the Western Canadian Music Awards nominations were announced. Barber was nominated in category of Roots Artist of the Year.[38][39]

On January 25, 2023, Barber announced his next album Almanac which was scheduled for a spring release. A video of him performing "Still Got You" was released.[40] The song was officially released as a single on January 27. The second single "I Told You So" was released on March 10.[41]

"I wrote it before my dad passed—before he was even sick, but it became an anthem for me in the months after his passing. Originally written from the perspective of Barber's neighbor who'd lost her husband, the song's interpretation of grief has such a universal quality that even Barber ended up applying to his own life, but maybe that was its purpose all along. "Looking back, I feel like this song was a gift from [my dad]."[41]

The release date for Almanac was announced for April 28[42] Barber wrote Almanac on his farm in Inglis, Manitoba which is 400 km northwest of Winnipeg. He recorded the album at No Fun Club in Winnipeg. It took one week to record the album with Grant Siemens and Scott Franchuk.[41]

"It was a really beautiful session. There were no grand intentions, just an aim to get good players and friends together and record a pile of my songs. Going into this session I really wanted to enjoy the process, not think too hard, and just keep it simple and honest. I had a group of great songs and I really didn't want to stand in their way."[41]

Contributions and collaborations

Aside from his own solo work, he has writing credits on Blake Berglund and the Vultures 2014 album Jasper where he co-wrote the first six songs. He also co-wrote "Funny Thing About You Leaving" with Berglund which is the B-side to Berglund's two-song single "Word's Gettin' Around" / "Funny Thing About You Leaving." He has writing credits on Manitoba country singer-songwriter Quinton Blair's 2016 EP Cash Crop.[43]

Personal life

Barber resides on a farm in Inglis, Manitoba[16] with his wife Haylan, daughter Guthrie,[29] and son Farley.

Discography

Del Barber discography
Studio albums7
Singles6

Studio albums

Title Details
Where the City Ends[44]
Love Songs for the Last 20[45]
  • Release date: June 15, 2010
  • Label: Corn Cob Music
  • Format: CD, digital download
Headwaters[46]
  • Release date: May 1, 2012
  • Label: Six Shooter
  • Format: CD, vinyl, digital download
Praireography[47]
  • Release date: February 4, 2014
  • Label: True North
  • Format: CD, digital download
The Puck Drops Here[28]
  • Release date: April 15, 2016
  • Label: True North
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Easy Keeper[48]
  • Release date: September 20, 2019
  • Label: Acronym
  • Format: CD, vinyl, digital download, streaming
Stray Dogs (Collected B-Sides / Volume 1)[37]
  • Release date: August 20, 2021
  • Label: Acronym
  • Format: Vinyl, digital download, streaming
Almanac[42]
  • Release: April 28, 2023
  • Label: Acronym
  • Format: Vinyl, digital download, streaming

Singles

Title Year Album
"Running on a Wire" 2012 Headwaters
"Lights Go Out" 2016 The Puck Drops Here
"No Easy Way Out" 2019 Easy Keeper
"Patient Man"
"Meantime" 2021 Stray Dogs (Collected B-Sides / Vol. 1)
"Nothing Left to Find"
"Still Got You" 2023 Almanac
"I Told You So"[41]

Awards and nominations

Del Barber awards and nominations
Totals[lower-alpha 1]
Wins5
Nominations17
Note
  1. ↑ Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They recognize several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
Year Nominated work Event Award Result Ref.
2010 Where the City Ends Western Canadian Music Awards Roots Solo Album of the Year Nominated
2011 Love Songs for the Last 20 Juno Awards Roots & Traditional Album of the Year - Solo Nominated [5][6]
2011 Western Canadian Music Awards Independent Album of the Year Won [7][8]
2011 Roots Solo Recording of the Year Won [8]
2012 Himself Canadian Folk Music Awards Solo Artist of the Year Nominated [9]
2013 Headwaters Western Canadian Music Awards Roots Solo Recording of the Year Won [10]
2014 Himself Canadian Folk Music Awards Contemporary Singer of the Year Nominated [27]
English Songwriter of the Year Nominated [27]
Solo Artist of the Year Nominated [27]
2014 Prairieogrpahy Western Canadian Music Awards Roots Solo Recording of the Year Won [49]
2014 "Big Smoke"/Himself Songwriter(s) of the Year Won [49]
2015 Prairieography Juno Awards Roots & Traditional Album of the Year - Solo Nominated [3][5]
2020 Easy Keeper Juno Awards Contemporary Roots Album of the Year Nominated [35]
2020 Himself Western Canadian Music Awards Roots Artist of the Year Nominated [36]
Songwriter(s) of the Year Nominated [36]
2022 Roots Artist of the Year Nominated [38]

References

  1. ↑ "BIG SMOKE". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Del Barber – Bio". NewCanadianMusic.ca. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Calnek, Sara (March 10, 2015). "Del Barber's prairie sound could earn him a Juno". CBC News. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  4. ↑ Keating, Dylan S. (May 6, 2014). "Del Barber". BeatRoute Magazine. Archived from the original on February 29, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Juno Awards Artist Summary". Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Williams, Rob (February 2, 2011). "Five local artists up for Juno awards". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 "Night Belongs to Manitoba". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 4 SCENE staff (October 24, 2011). "Manitoba shines at Western Canadian Music Awards". CBC Manitoba. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 "Results 2012". Canadian Folk Music Awards. 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 "2013 Western Canadian Music Industry Award Winners". Western Canadian Music Awards. 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 "About Del Barber". SonicBids.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  12. 1 2 Skinner, Jesse (May 10, 2012). "Del Barber - Headwaters". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 SCENE staff (October 26, 2012). "Singer Del Barber writes songs in bathrooms and chicken coops". SCENE. CBC Manitoba. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 "In Tune With Manitoba: Del Barber". Global News. March 17, 2014. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Bernstein, Jonathan (October 8, 2019). "Why Del Barber Went Off the Grid to Record His New Album 'Easy Keeper'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  16. 1 2 Jackson, Marc (February 16, 2018). "My Take on Snow Lake - Feb. 16, 2018 - Folk-country duo plays the motor inn". Thompson Citizen. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  17. 1 2 Patch, Nick (June 13, 2012). "Father's Day: Juno nominee Del Barber helps retired dad reach songwriting dreams". InfoTel.ca. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  18. ↑ Forneman, Kristin (February 14, 2014). "Del Barber finds he can't escape home". Vernon Morning Star. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  19. ↑ "CBC Q Past Episode Library". CBC Radio. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Hudson, Alex (April 13, 2012). "Del Barber Signs to Six Shooter Records for 'Headwaters' LP". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  21. ↑ Hudson, Alex (March 15, 2012). "Old Man Luedecke Announces Canadian Tour, Promises New Album". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Alt-Country troubadour Del Barber signs to True North Records". True North Records. September 17, 2013. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  23. ↑ "New Record Coming February via True North". DelBarber.com. October 15, 2013. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  24. ↑ Barber, Del (December 7, 2013). "A Brief History of Winnipeg's Music Scene and Why It Matters". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  25. 1 2 3 4 Hudson, Alex (January 8, 2014). "Del Barber Embraces His Roots on 'Prairieography,' Shares New Song and Maps Out Canadian Tour". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  26. ↑ Dault, Meredith (March 19, 2014). "Prairie chronicler Del Barber: Le chroniquer des Prairies Del Barber". SOCAN Words and Music. SOCAN. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  27. 1 2 3 4 "Results 2014". Canadian Folk Music Awards. 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Murphy, Sarah (February 29, 2016). "Del Barber & the No Regretzkys Lace Up for Hockey-themed LP, Shoot Out New Single". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  29. 1 2 3 ""Easy Keeper" - Del Barber's New Album!". Del Barber. Kickstarter. June 10, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Del Barber Joins Mavens Music Management Roster". Mavens Music Management. January 15, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Friday, May 3, 2019: Will Arnett, MorMor and more". CBC Radio. May 3, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Del Barber previews new album 'Easy Keeper'". CKUA Radio Network. January 25, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Del Barber Releases Single, Signs to acronym Records". Maven's Music. May 3, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Hello beautiful people! Happy to announce that the second single from my upcoming record is out today!". Del Barber. August 9, 2019. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  35. 1 2 Thompson, Sam (February 8, 2020). "Manitoba singer-songwriter stays true to his roots with JUNO-nominated 'Easy Keeper'". globalnews.ca. Global News. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  36. 1 2 3 "2020 Western Canadian Music Award Nominees". breakoutwest.ca. Breakout West. June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  37. 1 2 Schneider, Jason (August 18, 2021). "Essentials... with Del Barber". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  38. 1 2 Thompson, Sam (June 9, 2022). "Manitoba artists net dozens of WCMA nominations". Global News. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  39. ↑ Derdeyn, Stuart (June 8, 2022). "Vancouver's Juno Award-winning metal act Archspire among B.C. nominees for 2022 Western Canadian Music Awards". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  40. ↑ "WATCH: Del Barber, "Still Got You"". Bluegrass Situation. January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 "Del Barber Showcases Subtle And Strong Songwriting On All New LP 'Almanac'". The Country Note. March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  42. 1 2 Owen, Jof. "Del Barber - 'I told You So' Premiere". Holler. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Quinton Blair". HomeRoutes.ca. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Del Barber / Where the City Ends / True North". True North Records. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  45. ↑ "Del Barber / Love Songs for the Last 20 / True North". True North Records. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  46. ↑ "Del Barber / Headwaters / True North". True North Records. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  47. ↑ "Del Barber / Prairieography / True North". True North Records. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  48. ↑ Davis, Mike (September 9, 2019). "Del Barber: Easy Keeper". Folk Radio UK. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  49. 1 2 "Previous Winners". breakoutwest.ca. Breakout West. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
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