NICK BARKER releases new single 'Chinese Burn', out now on Golden Robot Records
Nick Barker's latest single, "Chinese Burn," marks a refreshing return, offering listeners a taste of what's to come from his highly anticipated upcoming album, 'Exoskeleton' set to release on September 22nd on Golden Robot Records, his first solo album in 14 years. Barker delves into the intricate world of lost love and modern dating apps, weaving a compelling narrative that reflects the complexities of reconnection and the allure of small bars. As he puts it, "Chinese Burn" is his musical "Pina Colada," a cocktail of emotions that captures the essence of both vulnerability and resilience in the face of romance's ever-evolving landscape.
Barker's approach to "Chinese Burn" exudes an effortless authenticity, with floaty melodies and an improvisational, from-the-hip style that gives the song a raw and intimate quality. Nick Barker demonstrates his ability to tap into the emotional undercurrents of contemporary relationships, offering a compelling blend of storytelling and musical craftsmanship that is sure to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
"Chinese Burn" sets the stage for 'Exoskeleton' as a collection of songs about people who have hard outer layers but are soft inside, love and loss, death and family, and scars that never heal.
ABOUT NICK BARKER
Nick Barker left his suburban home at 17 and began his career as a bass player in Melbourne's eclectic inner city post-punk scene, cutting his teeth in iconic venues like the Ballroom and the Prince of Wales with bands such as The Curse, Beach House and A Singing Dog, precursor to the now infamous Lubricated Goat. The most notable of these was The Wreckery, with whom he played on five albums.
In 1988, Nick's new band, Nick Barker and the Reptiles, began playing bars around town, sparking interest from The White Label. They had their first break through with the Chris Bailey-produced single, 'Another Me', followed by four crazy years of booze-soaked pub rock. The Reptiles released two albums: Goin' to Pieces in 1989, which included the hit cover version of Steve Harley's 'Make Me Smile' and After the Show in 1991, recorded in Melbourne and Memphis, and produced by Joe Hardy (ZZ Top, Georgia Satellites, Steve Earle). Sadly, The Reptiles fell apart in 1993 after the release of Loose, an EP that gave an insight into the band's true potential.
Nick released his first solo album in 1994. Happy Man spawned the single 'Time Bomb', which ended up at number 20 on Triple J's Hottest 100 in 1994. In 1996, he followed up with the dark and gritty, Damn Mermaids. This was his personal favourite, although the album marked the end of his ten-year association with Mushroom Records. Nick kept moving and in 1998 landed a major role in the 1998 Australian movie, 'Amy', alongside Rachael Griffith and Ben Mendlesohn, also writing and recording five songs for the soundtrack.
He released another four albums over the next ten years: Returned Service, a live solo record, and Backyard 6, both on Mick Thomas's Croxton Records label; C-sides, an album of stripped down re-recordings of his favourite songs as part of Liberation's Acoustic series; and Blackwater Blues in 2009, recorded live on a 16 track in Mick Thomas's backyard studio.
Nick's last two albums were released under The Heartache State name, with what was supposed to be a collective quickly becoming another vehicle for his songwriting. 2014's self-titled CD was released, which was then followed by Last of the Buffalo in 2016 through Golden Robot Records.
A tireless songwriter and performer, Nick has toured the UK, Europe, North and South America and Asia. He's written songs with the likes of Tim Rogers, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, Earl Slick, Mick Thomas and Felicity Urquhart - just to name a few.
Nick has seen the Australian music industry spin, chase its tail, die, resurrect and do it all over again. Thirty-five years later, he's still here and no one is more surprised than him.
https://www.facebook.com/nick.barker.355
https://goldenrobotrecords.com/golden-robot-records/nick-barker/
SPOTIFY
