30 Jan Artist Profile: BARQ
New to Music Sync Licensing from Ireland – Avant Music Port Catalogue
Style: Hip Hop, Rock, R&B, Soul, ‘Agrosoul’
Moods: Groovy, Soulful, Emotional, Heartfelt, Driving, Aggressive, Intense, Moody, Gritty, Funky, Frustrated
If a group claim to shove ‘groove into the belly of the rock beast’ and create ‘agrosoul’ in the process; they’re definitely going to catch your attention. Following on from this, unsurprisingly when the Dublin based high-energy four piece BARQ released their debut single ‘Gentle Kind of Lies’ in March 2016, it attracted the right kind of attention from the offset being picked up on Spotify’s new music playlist in the UK and Brazil. Subsequently, singles ‘That Thing You Love’ and ‘Bear’ were released and kept with the theme of growing success when the group joined people from the worlds of technology, food, activism, sport, film and music on the ‘50 People to watch in 2017’ list made by The Irish Times.
BARQ is made up of Jess Kavanagh (vocals), Stephen McHale (guitar), Neil Dorrington (bass), and Tommy Gray (drums), all seasoned musicians with a wealth of experience. While acting as a backing vocalist for Irish international successes Hozier and Kodaline, Jess took huge inspiration from watching their stars rise. This four-piece is incredibly tight and keep a constant groove flowing while Jess’ soulful, heartfelt vocals at the front add the punch that is ‘agrosoul’. There’s a hint of a psychedelic undercurrent to their soulful, R&B-infused rock and it’s sure to move you. We, for sure, can’t wait to hear what comes next!
Video for ‘Gentle Kind Of Lies’
On the player: Listen on the Avant Music Port player
Clare McGonigle