# Kevin Barnes > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kevin_Barnes > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kevin_Barnes.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Barnes > Source revision: 1354918693 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American musician For the American football player, see [Kevin Barnes (American football)](/source/Kevin_Barnes_(American_football)). For the association football player, see [Kevin Barnes (footballer)](/source/Kevin_Barnes_(footballer)). Kevin Barnes Barnes at Positivus Music Festival (2014) Background information Born Kevin Lawrence Barnes Rocky River, Ohio, U.S. Origin Athens, Georgia, U.S. Genres Indie pop, psychedelic pop, experimental, electronic, funk, R&B Occupations Singer-songwriter, musician Instruments Vocals, synthesizer, guitar, bass guitar, piano, drums Labels Polyvinyl, Kindercore, Bar/None Musical artist **Kevin Lawrence Barnes**[1] is an American musician who is the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter for the [indie rock](/source/Indie_rock) group [of Montreal](/source/Of_Montreal), part of the [Elephant 6 Collective](/source/Elephant_6_Collective).[2] Barnes started the band 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](/source/Montreal). The group has recorded 18 full-length albums, and numerous [EPs](/source/Extended_play) and 7" singles. Barnes' brother, David, is an artist and has designed most of the band's artwork for albums since the release of *[The Gay Parade](/source/The_Gay_Parade)*. ## of Montreal Main article: [of Montreal](/source/Of_Montreal) of Montreal consists of various musicians, with Barnes being the only continuous member. The group has recorded 19 studio albums, beginning with *[Cherry Peel](/source/Cherry_Peel)* (1997), and, most recently, *[aethermead](/source/Aethermead)*, which was released on June 5, 2026[3] on [Polyvinyl Records](/source/Polyvinyl_Records).[4] While melodic pop has always been Barnes's primary vehicle, the band's style has transformed significantly since its debut. The acoustic tendencies of early albums gradually transformed into a more [electronic](/source/Electronic_music), [funk](/source/Funk), and overall eclectic sound. One of the features which often appears in Barnes's songwriting is upbeat melodies with gloomy, cryptic lyrics and morose subject matter. At different periods in the band's career, Barnes has dealt with subjects both personal and fictional, tending to employ unusual words, phrases, and sophisticated wordplay. ## Lyrical style Barnes and bandmates on stage in San Francisco, 2007 Barnes's writing has encompassed many styles over the years. Of Montreal's first album, *Cherry Peel*, dealt mainly with personal issues of [unrequited love](/source/Unrequited_love), as in the songs "Baby", "Montreal"; or "Tim I Wish You Were Born a Girl". Barnes's style then shifted to storytelling, often involving dialogues as in "Good Morning Mr. Edminton" (from the album *[Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse](/source/Coquelicot_Asleep_in_the_Poppies%3A_A_Variety_of_Whimsical_Verse)*), or fictional characters, such as Rose Robert or Jacques Lamure, and even a fictional mythological creature, the Efeblum.[5] The albums *[The Gay Parade](/source/The_Gay_Parade)*, *[The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy](/source/The_Bedside_Drama%3A_A_Petite_Tragedy)*, and the aforementioned *Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies* are constructed as [concept albums](/source/Concept_albums). By 2004, Barnes had started to revert to more personal lyrics, even incorporating the names of familiars and using them as characters, including Barnes's daughter Alabee, in "[So Begins Our Alabee](/source/The_Sunlandic_Twins)" and "[Miss Blonde Your Papa Is Failing](/source/Icons%2C_Abstract_Thee)", and Eva, an acquaintance and resident of [Athens, Georgia](/source/Athens%2C_Georgia), in "Bunny Ain't No Kind of Rider".[6] Barnes has fluctuated between writing personal and fictional lyrics, explaining: I think if you only write about yourself and your personal life it feels maybe a bit narcissistic, but I think it's inevitable that there will always be some aspect of your personal life or your personal emotions coming through, even if you write about something that would seem like fiction.[7] Barnes's lyrics, though mostly concerned with dark themes, often portray a certain fondness for: - French literature, the works of [Jean Genet](/source/Jean_Genet), [Guillaume Apollinaire](/source/Guillaume_Apollinaire) or [Georges Bataille](/source/Georges_Bataille) in particular. - Avant-garde cinema. [Luis Buñuel](/source/Luis_Bu%C3%B1uel)'s *[Phantom of Liberty](/source/The_Phantom_of_Liberty_(film))* receives a mention in "Lysergic Bliss", [Jaromil Jireš](/source/Jaromil_Jire%C5%A1)' *[Valerie and Her Week of Wonders](/source/Valerie_and_Her_Week_of_Wonders_(film))* in "St. Exquisite Confessions" and [Wong Kar-wai](/source/Wong_Kar-wai) in "Rapture Rapes the Muses" - [Greek mythology](/source/Greek_mythology). "[Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse](/source/Heimdalsgate_Like_a_Promethean_Curse)", "Rapture Rapes the Muses" (with references to "antediluvian Troy"), and frequent use of [antonomasia](/source/Antonomasia) ([Petrarch](/source/Petrarch) and [Dido](/source/Dido_(Queen_of_Carthage)) in "So Begins Our Alabee", "Cato as a Pun") Despite some lyrical references to drugs, Barnes says that [recreational drugs](/source/Recreational_drugs) or [psychedelics](/source/Psychedelics) do not play a large part in the writing, composing, or recording of his music.[7] ## On stage Barnes playing a solo set at the [Hollywood Forever Cemetery](/source/Hollywood_Forever_Cemetery) [Masonic lodge](/source/Masonic_lodge) in 2014 Barnes has consistently attempted to combine a love of theater, comedy, and music, often resulting in interludes between songs—[skits](/source/Skits), slow-motion sword fights and surreal interaction between band members. Barnes performs as many different alter egos or personas, which included a [glam rock](/source/Glam_rock) alter ego, Georgie Fruit, first mentioned in "Labyrinthian Pomp". In 2007, Barnes described Georgie Fruit as a black man in his forties who has undergone multiple sex changes.[8] In 2019, Barnes announced that the persona had been retired, tweeting that "it was an insensitive portrayal of a marginalized group of people that I had no [business] representing."[9] Barnes has performed in unusual circumstances, such as while astride a white horse, and while completely nude.[7] ## Other projects - *[A Pollinaire Rave](/source/A_Pollinaire_Rave)* is a comedy tour by Kevin Barnes, David Barnes, and Kevin Barnes's ex-wife, Nina. A CD with the same name was sold, and five of the seven songs on the EP became songs on the *Of Montreal* album *[Satanic Panic in the Attic](/source/Satanic_Panic_in_the_Attic)*. - Barnes contributed to [Bright Eyes](/source/Bright_Eyes_(band))' album *[Letting Off the Happiness](/source/Letting_Off_the_Happiness)*, playing keyboard on "The Difference in the Shades" and performing the background vocals on "A Poetic Retelling of an Unfortunate Seduction". - Barnes is a member of the teaching faculty at [Bennington College](/source/Bennington_College) in Bennington, Vermont. They are teaching the Spring 2025 course "Songwriting Crimes and Recording Atrocities."[10] - Barnes almost entirely wrote and produced "Make the Bus", a song on [Janelle Monáe's](/source/Janelle_Mon%C3%A1e) 2010 album [*The Archandroid*](/source/The_ArchAndroid), as well as performing vocals on the track. The song was originally planned to be released on the *Of Montreal* album *[False Priest](/source/False_Priest)*, but Barnes insisted that the song was a much better fit for *The Archandroid.* - Barnes performed background vocals for the B-side track on [Solange](/source/Solange_Knowles)'s 2012 single [*Losing You*](/source/Losing_You_(Solange_song)), "Sleep in the Park". - Barnes was featured on vocals in the song "Star Power III: What Are We Good For", which was on *[Foxygen](/source/Foxygen)*'s 2014 album *[...And Star Power](/source/...And_Star_Power)*. Barnes wrote and performed the spoken word part, as well as performed background vocals for the rest of the song. ## Personal life In 2003, Barnes married Nina Aimee Grøttland, a graphic artist and former Ethnobabes member. They separated in December 2013.[11] They have one daughter, born in [Oslo](/source/Oslo) in 2004. As of 2020, Barnes's partner is Christina Schneider, the singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the pop group [Locate S,1](/source/Locate_S%2C1).[12] In 2020, Barnes came out as [bisexual](/source/Bisexual), [non-binary](/source/Non-binary), and genderqueer. Barnes' Twitter account lists *she/her*, *he/him*, and *[they/them](/source/Gender-neutral_pronoun)* pronouns.[13][14] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["BMI | Repertoire Search"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200406123204/http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&querytype=WriterID&keyid=656477&keyname=BARNES%20KEVIN%20L&CAE=194461452&Affiliation=BMI). Archived from [the original](http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&querytype=WriterID&keyid=656477&keyname=BARNES%20KEVIN%20L&CAE=194461452&Affiliation=BMI) on April 6, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2009. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Polyvinyl Records"](https://www.polyvinylrecords.com/artists/index.php?id=294). *Polyvinylrecords.com*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Lady on the Cusp, by of Montreal"](https://ofmontreal.bandcamp.com/album/lady-on-the-cusp). *Bandcamp*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Lady on the Cusp"](https://polyvinylrecords.com/product/lady_on_the_cusp). *Polyvinyl Records*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Of Montreal"](http://www.bar-none.com/of-montreal). *Bar/None Records*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Deusner, Stephen. ["No Hisses"](https://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/no-hisses/Content?oid=1132897). *Memphis Flyer*. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-auto_7-2) Pagano, Weston (April 29, 2014). ["Lousy With Sylvianbriar is Anything But: A Conversation with of Montreal"](http://www.transversomedia.com/articles/2015/5/26/interview-with-of-montreal). *Transverso*. Retrieved November 5, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Carriere, Mike (November 19, 2007). ["Interview with Kevin Barnes"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130602034927/http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/7454-of-montreal/). *Pitchfork*. Archived from [the original](http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/7454-of-montreal/) on June 2, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Barnes, Kevin [@xxofMontrealxx] (November 9, 2019). ["I regret giving Georgie Fruit a race+gender that I had no perspective on+for using the term She-Male. I now realize it was an insensitive portrayal of a marginalized group of people that I had no biz representing. I apologize 2anyone who has been hurt by that. GF is dead+🖤ing it"](https://twitter.com/xxofMontrealxx/status/1193257225294356480) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Kevin Barnes | Bennington College"](https://www.bennington.edu/academics/faculty/kevin-barnes). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Q&A: Kevin Barnes On Of Montreal's Next Album Aureate Gloom"](https://www.stereogum.com/1709094/qa-kevin-barnes-on-of-montreals-next-album-aureate-gloom/franchises/interview/). *Stereogum.com*. October 2, 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Barnes, Kevin (April 30, 2020). ["Navigating Work and Romance with Of Montreal and Locate S,1"](https://www.talkhouse.com/navigating-work-and-romance-with-of-montreal-and-locate-s1/). *Talkhouse.com*. Retrieved February 16, 2021. Christina Schneider is the brain behind the pop project [Locate S,1](/source/Locate_S%2C1); Kevin Barnes is the frontman of the legendary indie pop band Of Montreal. The two are romantic partners and creative collaborators 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Barnes, Kevin [@xxofMontrealxx] (August 8, 2020). ["btw I'm bi- always have been💜"](https://twitter.com/xxofMontrealxx/status/1291988422412902400) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200808064416/https://twitter.com/xxofmontrealxx/status/1291988422412902400) from the original on August 8, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Barnes, Kevin [@xxofMontrealxx] (June 26, 2020). ["THREAD 9/9 Soooo....I want to officially 'come out' publicly and say with pride that I am a Nonbinary/Genderqueer person!🏳️‍⚧️❤️💙💜🖤💛💚🤎"](https://twitter.com/xxofMontrealxx/status/1276302362295009280) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200626000152/https://twitter.com/xxofMontrealxx/status/1276302362295009280) from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020 – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter). v t e of Montreal Kevin Barnes Clayton Rychlik Jojo Glidewell Michael Wheeler Elizabeth Wheeler Taber Lathrop Bryan Poole Derek Almstead Dottie Alexander James Husband Jason NeSmith Kishi Bashi Full-length albums Cherry Peel The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy The Gay Parade Coquelicot Asleep in the Poppies: A Variety of Whimsical Verse Aldhils Arboretum Satanic Panic in the Attic The Sunlandic Twins Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? Skeletal Lamping False Priest Paralytic Stalks Lousy with Sylvianbriar Aureate Gloom Innocence Reaches White Is Relic/Irrealis Mood Ur Fun Freewave Lucifer F-ck F-ck F-ck Lady on the Cusp Aethermead EPs The Bird Who Ate the Rabbit's Flower The Bird Who Continues to Eat the Rabbit's Flower Deflated Chime, Foals Slightly Flower Sibylline Responses Icons, Abstract Thee thecontrollersphere Rune Husk Compilations Horse & Elephant Eatery (No Elephants Allowed): The Singles and Songles Album The Early Four Track Recordings An Introduction to Of Montreal If He Is Protecting Our Nation, Then Who Will Protect Big Oil, Our Children? The Gladiator Nightstick Collection Satanic Twins Daughter of Cloud Songs "Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse" Related articles Discography A Pollinaire Rave Category v t e Elephant 6 Individuals Robert Schneider Bill Doss Jeff Mangum Will Cullen Hart Hilarie Sidney Scott Spillane Derek Almstead Jeremy Barnes Kevin Barnes Martyn Leaper Rebecca Cole Andrew Rieger Laura Carter Bryan Poole John Ferguson John Fernandes John Hill Tammy Ealom Robbee Cucchiaro Julian Koster Jim McIntyre Chris Parfitt John d'Azzo Eric Harris (musician) Peter Erchick AJ Griffin Will Westbrook Andy Gonzales Dottie Alexander Jamey Huggins Jill Carnes Bands/Solo projects Air-Sea Dolphin the Apples in Stereo thee American Revolution Bablicon Beulah Black Swan Network Calvin, Don't Jump! Casper & the Cookies Cellar Lantern Hymns Clay Bears Chocolate USA Circulatory System the Diminisher Dressy Bessy Elf Power the Essex Green Fablefactory the Gerbils Great Lakes a Hawk and a Hacksaw the High Water Marks Icy Demons the Instruments James Husband the Ladybug Transistor Major Organ and the Adding Machine Marbles Marshmallow Coast Midget and Hairs the Minders the Music Tapes Neutral Milk Hotel of Montreal The Olivia Tremor Control Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't Secret Square Spaceflyte The Sunshine Fix Supercluster Ulysses Vince Mole and His Calcium Orchestra Von Hemmling Related articles Cloud Recordings Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records Joyful Noise Recordings Orange Twin Records Pet Sounds Studio Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Kevin Barnes](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Kevin_Barnes)***. 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