Seán Barna

On November 22, Seán Barna will release his anticipated new EP, Internal Trembling, on Kill Rock Stars Nashville. 

Seán is no stranger to queer nightlife, but it’s the peaceful time he spent living in and visiting the most remote and beautiful areas of rural western Colorado that animates the heart of his upcoming folk EP, Internal Trembling. Recorded at the legendary Blackbird Studio in Nashville, four of the five songs feature the Nashville-based, traditional bluegrass supergroup, Hawktail. A fifth song, “firefly,” is a collaboration between Seàn and Brooklyn-based producer, Kyle Joseph. The result is emotional, driving folk-pop, with a slow, relentless build.

The visceral, intense performances Seán has become known for are animated by the evocative honesty of his songwriting and rooted in a vulnerable, intimate relationship with the audience. On Internal Trembling, stripped of any hint of the glam or roots rock influences of his previous recordings, Seán demonstrates just how comfortable he’s become with the evocative honesty that defines him as a songwriter.  

Hawktail is Paul Kowert (Punch Brothers, Dave Rawlings, Gillian Welch), Brittany Haas (Punch Brothers, Steve Martin), and Jordan Tice (Yola, Dave Rawlings, Steve Martin), with special guest Dominick Leslie (Molly Tuttle). 

In May 2023, Seán Barna released a rock LP, An Evening at Macri Park, on the iconic indie label, Kill Rock Stars, to widespread critical acclaim from outlets such as NPR, Pitchfork, FLOOD Magazine, and Billboard. In their review of the LP, Pitchfork offered comparisons to Leonard Cohen, Harry Nilsson, and Rufus Wainwright, writing, "this is raucous, messy, and emotionally rich music, as any art about queer nightlife ought to be." 

Seán’s previous releases include Pictures of an Exhibitionist (2014, LP), Margaret Thatcher of the Lower East Side (2020, EP), CISSY. (2018, EP), Cutter Street (2012, EP), and the single, “Straight Motherfuckers and Their Famous Friends.” In 2021, Seán opened for Counting Crows on their 22-date national tour. His most recent single is a refreshing cover of the song, “Mr. Jones” — a surprise birthday present to Counting Crows frontman, Adam Duritz.