Barbara are Brighton brothers Henry & John Tydeman. Their music is influenced not only by the pop greats of the 1970s - The Kinks, ABBA, ELO - but also by the charming, eccentric work of British writers like George Orwell and Harold Pinter; their songs tell stories of strange characters, buffeted on the seas of life. But there is always a sense of fun, of the uncool, and - most importantly - of dance, in all Barbara's music, in spite of the unpredictable lyrical content. So, come for the dancing... and stay for the stories. (Or, if you prefer, come for the stories, and stay for the dancing! That way is just as fun...)
Barbara have toured with The Divine Comedy, Haircut One Hundred, and most recently, Paul Weller (see quotes below, including praise from legendary producer Steve Lillywhite. “Barbara are one of the best groups about. Live they’re great, and their songs too. Clever and melodic. The Babs are fab!” Paul Weller “They are so up my street ... really tight songwriting, very poptastic!” Neil Hannon on Barbara "This band is nothing like anything I've ever heard and I love them!" Steve Lillywhite “Barbara are wonderful. I love their songs and their humour.
We need more Barbara in our lives!” Chris Difford “Haircut One Hundred loves Barbara. They’re as bold as our brass! Bacharach with bats and balls. We love ‘em!” Nick Heyward (Haircut One Hundred) “Barbara are one of the most inventive and original musical acts I've seen in donkey's years! They're already making a lot of noise on the UK music scene, and with their delightful and original approach to lyric and melody, combined with an infectious and joyous performance style, their future success in an inevitably crazy music biz is assured. Go see 'em!” Dean Friedman "Barbara are an insanely talented band with an innate sense of melody and arrangement ... The ambitious scope and toe tapping immediacy of their sound belies their tender years." Phill Jupitus “Such a bright, catchy and intriguing song” John Kennedy (Radio X) on ‘Property-Owning Democracy’ “An absolute killer song … a pocket-sized pop symphony!” Gary Crowley (BBC Radio London) on ‘Property-Owning Democracy’.
1. Mein Fräulein
2. These New Communications
3. Tolerant Nation
4. Beryl
5. A Perishing of Cherished Things
6. Property-Owning Democracy
7. Master Narrative
8. Pretty Straight Guy
9. The Contented Commuter
10. BRB
