Music Style Rock/Pop/Alternative

Artist History Upon seeing and hearing nineteen-year-old Maryland native Niki Barr, it's easy to come to the conclusion that she is "good for age." But repeated listening of her lyrics and melodies, and seeing her perform live, it becomes quite clear that Barr is just plain talented period, age aside. While most professional songwriters are often obsessed with tired, wanna-be metaphysical poetry, Barr's subtle simple songs are refreshing to hear. Indeed, she says, words always came first to her. "I'd sit and write poems in my room," Barr recalls, "and I wanted something to accompany them." At age 13, Barr found her accompaniment under the Christmas tree - her first guitar. Niki began taking lessons that year, and began playing songs she liked by various popular female singer/songwriters. Barr's live performances show off a composed stage presence and lack of stage fright that many performers twice her age aren't capable of, and could be attributable to the fact she made her first stage performance at a dance recital when she was just three. Though not able to access many gigs in her local area, Niki has managed over 150 performance dates over the last two years, including opening spots for national acts like Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovitt, Jason Mraz, Deanna Bogart, Todd Snyder, and Fighting Gravity. Niki's self-produced debut CD, No Frills, received unanimous good reviews, with Mark Mangold of the Star-Democrat calling her a "precocious uberteen, with an eerily mature knack for songwriting." The Pennsylvania Musician Magazine writes, "[Niki] brings with her a kinetic brand of song delivery, vocals capable of plastering some of the little boy rock singers' bawls to the walls, a boat-load full of radio-ready rock originals, stand-up acoustic guitar leads, and a ripping electric guitar." She attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia as a freshman, last year. However, Niki has postponed her college education to go full-time with her music career. "All I want to do is write, record and tour, but college was definitely a good idea. I learned so much about myself within that first year of college. However, I'm taking the next school year [2002-2003] off, to pursue my career full-time. I'm ready to go all the way!" Niki has been working with Jim Ebert, (Everything, Meredith Brooks, Marvelous 3) as producer for her songs Bottom Row, Run To Me, and Sugar Coated on her first demo. During the 2002 year, she was back in the studio with Ebert, recording 5 more songs. These songs are now available on a second album, titled The Other Side of Me. After attracting the eyes and ears of a NYC label in the summer of 2002, Niki was presented with the opportunity to travel out to LA to meet with songwriters/producers The Matrix (Avril Lavigne, Liz Phair), Wizardz of Oz (Avril Lavigne, Heather Nova, Jason Mraz), Matthew Gerrard, and Stephen Lironi (Bon Jovi, Dot Allison, The Wilsons). Within the next couple of days, she was on a plane to LA to begin her full-week of songwriting. She returned back to the east coast with 6 new songs and a load of new knowledge about the music industry and songwriting. The songs are currently in the hands of a NYC label for review. Keep an eye out for this young, up-and-coming rockstar!

Group Members Niki Barr- vocals, guitar Erik Skew- guitar Marc Nelson- bass guitar Marty Bouchard- drums

Instruments Vocals, Guitar

Albums The Other Side of Me; No Frills (Acoustic)

Press Reviews "She [Niki] brings with her a kinetic brand of song delivery, vocals capable of plastering some of the little boy rock singers' bawls to the walls, a boat-load full of radio-ready rock originals, stand-up acoustic guitar leads, and a ripping electric guitar." -PA Musician Magazine "precocious uberteen, with an eerily mature knack for songwriting."- Mark Mangold of The Star Democrat

Location Denton, MD - USA

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