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Since the age of fourteen, critical acclaim has always come easy to Denton native Niki Barr. “"Niki Barr's going far -- it's just a matter of how soon and how far...,” one critic writes.. Another says, “Barr will never have much trouble winning over fans of such obvious kindred spirits as Joan Jett and Chrissie Hynde." A third? “Niki Barr is a Maryland treasure.” Sometimes the praise is so effusive and so dramatic that we start to take it for granted, maybe even stop hearing it. The quotes above don’t come from overgenerous critics or adoring fans or a venue owner that perhaps got too caught up in one of Barr’s energetic club performances. They are from Mike Joyce, Richard Harrington and Michael Buckley, three of the Baltimore/D.C. area’s most respected voices. These writers don’t prattle and they don’t have an agenda; they know talent when they see it. Barr is this talented. Saturday night you get a chance to hear her prove it. MM: The Basics. Who are you, where are you from, where do you live now? NB: I am a product of Denton, MD (population 3,000), though I now reside in Baltimore, MD (population 508,957). The small town is who I am and the city is where I love to be. MM: Of all of the "national" touring musicians we are showcasing here, you are in that you grew up on the Eastern Shore. Share your thoughts on growing up here. What did you like about it? What was difficult? How, if at all, do you think it has changed for younger people here now as opposed to when you were a teenager? What do you miss about it? NB: The Eastern Shore is the perfect place to call "home". When I'm in need of some R&R or just to gather myself after a long time on the road, I find Denton to be comforting. When I was a teenager, however, I wanted nothing more but to leave the Eastern Shore. I was prepared to head straight to NYC by age 17. I never did, but that's probably for the better. I know many aspiring musicians in NYC who work their asses off just to make a living in that city. I would rather live in a shady part of Baltimore, eating $3 pizzas every night and have the time and means to write, record, and tour whenever I want to. MM: How's Baltimore? NB: Baltimore can be dangerous, but it keeps the cost of living low. ;) It's not as bad as it sounds, really. We all live in a house together (some might call that a "band" house. We've started our own studio - Obscura Sound. Along with recording our own new record, we're working with many other local and national artists on their records. It's great! MM: At this point in your career, is there anything specific that you feel is really important for you to accomplish? NB: Well, making new music is always important. Without new music, we would fade. Note: We are in the final mixing stages of our new EP and that's exciting! Other than that, I would like to hop on a major tour and travel the US. I'm a little worn out on the overseas tours and I think the US would be nice to explore for a while. We spent 3 days on the road with The Cult, recently, and it was everything I thought it would be. We might possibly be heading out on a tour with Tantric. MM: I know you have done a lot of Armed Forces Entertainment Tours overseas and around the world. Where have you played and what have you taken from those experiences? NB: Over 30 countries throughout Europe, Middle East, and Asia. Everyone should travel! I can't imagine going an entire lifetime without knowing what's outside of the US. So much history, so much wisdom, so many people to meet and villages to explore. I have a new found love and respect for our military. I have lived, eaten, and breathed like the military for months at a time. It's no joke. They're hard core and some of the most hard-working and respectful people I've ever met. Many of us could learn a thing or two from them! NB: Ha...already answered that one. MM: On this Coffee East date you will be performing as an acoustic trio. How do you feel your music changes when you strip down from the electric band to this sort of acoustic set? NB: Well, I started playing as an acoustic solo singer/songwriter. So, I guess it kind of takes me back to those days. At heart, I'm a spitting, bleeding, smashing, outrageous rocker, but at age 13, I thought women only wrote songs like Sarah McLachlan or Jewel and I only looked at Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode, and Stone Temple Pilots as everything I loved and wanted in music, but never could be. It took me 8 years to realize that I no longer "needed" to fit the mold as a female singer/songwriter. So I said, "f*&k it"... I'm gonna pave my own way. Acoustic guitar or electric... the songs are what they are, no matter how they're performed. MM: What's the most intimidated you have ever been on stage? NB: I was a teenager and played a show at a rehearsal studio in NYC for a major label at the time. It was just me and the band on a stage in front of 3 or 4 guys. It was hell. I was nervous as hell. Needless to say, at 24 years old, I imagine if I were to be in the same situation, I wouldn't think twice. MM: How has your approach to songwriting changed as you have matured? What's the strangest topic or moment you have ever written a song about? NB: I wrote a song about setting a guy on fire. I never recorded it, but it's in my collection. I think it might end up as a B-Side someday. MM: Who else will be playing with at Coffee East, and what will they be playing? NB: Scott Ensign - Bass FILL IN THE BLANK 1) My favorite place to eat in Baltimore is.... my house. I love grilled food! 2) If I was going to have a pet that wasn't a dog or a cat it would be a..... One of these: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-3KjUrCFgyk 3) 2008 will be a great year to...Have a new president! 4) Sometimes when I am performing I....Burp. I drink a lot of water in between songs and take big breaths when I sing. All the air builds up and... "burp". 5) If I could have written one song by someone else it would be....illegal!
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