Mushroom Music Publishing

EJ Barnes is certainly no stranger to the world of music. As the second eldest daughter of Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes, some would argue she has music running through her veins. Having been surrounded by music and musicians her entire life, has most certainly had a profound influence on who she is and what she brings to all that she does. In fact, when it came to choosing a career path, inevitably music was EJ's only option.

Music has always been an important part of my life - maybe that's why it's all I can imagine myself doing forever. It feeds my soul and there's always more to learn. EJ Barnes

EJ's musicial career has come a long way since then. After finishing high school she joined her Dad's band as a backing vocalist and learnt first hand all about life on the road and touring with a full blown rock band. However it wasn't long before EJ was writing her own music and soon developed her own solo show.

I've ben very blessed with my children, they are all musicially talented in their own way. EJ has a beautiful voice and she sings like an angel. We often joke that she missed out on the Barnes family "loud gene' but she can actually really belt when she needs to. She's a truly gifted singer and songwriter and I love making music with her" Jimmy Barnes

At the age of 22, EJ can already claim to have collaborated and toured both nationally and internationally with some of Australia's most prolific artists incuding Mark Lizotte (aka Diesel), Richard Clapton and most recently New Zealand's Liam Finn.

Writing songs is something that has always come naturally for EJ. Armed with an acoustic guitar and her beloved auto-harp, it wasn't long before she had enough material to beging recording an album. There And Back was recorded in Sydney last year and produced by the legendary Mark Lizotte (Diesel) and Richie Gonclaves - who also co-wrote seven of the songs beatured on the album. The album was then mixed in London at Mongrel studios by producer/engineer extraordinaire Tehad Blake (Tom Waites, Crowded House, Bernard Fanning, Pearl Jam, Peter Gabriel). Having Tehad mix the album was a dream come true for EJ He bought a great sense of space and continuity to the record" recalls EJ.

Hearing the songs from the start either at one of her early shows or in a raw demo form I instantly had a lot of bells ringing in my head. EJ's songs were evocative of so many things, subtle and profound. She has a voice you never grow tired of listening to, with an amazing economy of words and chords." Mark Lizotte

As a singer, and as a songwriter, EJ displays a sense of musicality well beyond her years. This is further accentuated by the raw talent of the musicans who palyed on There And Back (Richie Gonclaves, - bass, Lee Moloney - drums and Lynette Smith - guitar). Her uniquely exquisite and beautiful vocals perfectly complement the rich laying and texture of sounds created by producers Lizotte and Gonclaves.

EJ's music is simulataneously simple and complex and above all enduring - her songs will resonate within you long after the first listen.

There And Back is the stunning debut album from Sydney singer/songwriter EJ Barnes.

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