From her modest beginnings as a shy acoustic folkie on the local coffeehouse stage, Barber’s recent career has been reaching starry heights. With the release of her fourth album “Mischievous Moon,” a concoction that features her unmistakable contralto backed by sweeping strings and dramatic orchestration, Barber’s evolution to confident chanteuse is complete.
Inspired by the great ladies of song like Ella Fitzgerald and Edith Piaf, Barber reached for a place on the international stage with the release of her last record, 2008’s “Chances.” It was a turning point in her career, says Barber.
“I think it’s important to experiment and try on a number of musical hats to a point, but eventually you have to figure out what your own contribution is going to be. When I finished writing and recording ‘Chances,’ something clicked.”
As a performer, Barber charms her audiences while weaving a romantic spell. Indeed, romance plays a huge role in her life and her art.
“Chances represented the courtship phase of my career,” she muses. “With ‘Mischievous Moon,’ we’re getting intimate. The romance is alive and well, but there’s something deeper to be uncovered.”
Barber has also begun to cross language barriers. Inspired by her growing French-speaking fan base and her admiration for la vie en rose, Barber now sings and records in English and French. At the end of the lengthy recording process for “Mischievous Moon,” she enrolled in a French immersion school in the south of France. The result, she hopes, will be the ability to connect with French-speaking audiences everywhere, evidenced by the release of the first single from “Mischievous Moon” – “Dis-Moi/Tell Me” - in English and French.
“Mischievous Moon” captures the whimsical moods of moonlight, but also explores what’s hidden in the shadows it casts.
“The moon has such a venerable presence in the night sky, keeping one eye on us. I don’t know about everyone else, but sometimes it feels like we have our own private jokes, the moon and I. From time to time I can’t help but look up and give it a little wink.”
