Kevin Barnes

Kevin Barnes
Kevin Barnes in Gothenburg, Sweden, 2005
Background information
Born	(1974-05-30) May 30, 1974 (age 42)
Origin	Rocky River, Ohio, US
Genres	Indie rock, indie pop, psychedelic pop, experimental, electronic, funk, R&B
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals, synthesizer, guitar, bass guitar, piano, drums
Labels	Polyvinyl, Kindercore, Bar/None
Associated acts	of Montreal, Major Organ and the Adding Machine

Kevin L. Barnes (born May 30, 1974) is the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter for the indie rock group of Montreal, part of the Elephant 6 Collective. Barnes started the band on his own and, although providing several stories as to the origin of the name, is said to have named it after a failed romance with a woman from Montreal. The group has recorded thirteen full-length albums, and numerous EPs and 7" singles. His brother, David Barnes, is an artist and has designed most of the band's artwork for albums after the release of The Gay Parade.

In 2003, Barnes married Nina Aimee Grøttland, a graphic artist and former Ethnobabes member. They separated in December 2013. They have one daughter, Alabee, born in Oslo on December 29, 2004.

of Montreal consists of various musicians, and Barnes is the only founder member. The group has recorded fourteen studio albums, beginning with Cherry Peel, and, most recently, Innocence Reaches, which was released on August 12, 2016 on Polyvinyl. While melodic pop has always been Barnes' primary vehicle, his style has managed to transform significantly since the 1997 release of Cherry Peel. The acoustic tendencies of early albums gradually transformed into a more electronic, funk, and overall eclectic sound. One of the features which often appears in Barnes' songwriting is his penchant for composing upbeat melodies to gloomy lyrics and morose subject matter. At different periods in the band's career he has dealt with subjects both personal and fictional. He is a prolific lyricist with a tendency to employ unusual words and phrases and complicated wordplay.

Kevin Barnes' writing has encompassed many styles over the years. Of Montreal's first album Cherry Peel dealt mainly with personal issues of unrequited love, as in the songs "Baby" or "Montreal", or humorous mundane situations, as in "Tim I Wish You Were Born a Girl". His style then shifted to story-telling, often involving dialogues, as in "Good Morning Mr. Edminton" from the album Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse, or fictional characters, such as Rose Robert or Jacques Lamure, or even fictional mythological creature, like the Efeblum.