Barley Wik sing like angels and play an array of acoustic instruments like they sold their souls to the devil. The all-female band reinvents old-time music with an impressive collection of well-crafted original songs that reshape folk and country with a little twist of bluegrass.
The band’s name comes from the 15th century term bailiwick, a reference to someone’s area of authority. It’s a place where someone can have their say, and Barley Wik’s members have their say as a collection of individuals with wildly eclectic musical influences.
Barley Wik’s sound reflects a musical style as diverse as their individual histories. The groups’ roots in the Saskatchewan prairie, small town Ontario, 1960s British styles, and a strong tie to the land merge to create a singular sound that incorporates a range of musical forms. Old-time country, folk, blues, bluegrass and spirituals inspire Barley Wik’s songs. All members are songwriters, and each brings a creativity and honesty to their music-making which keeps it real.
Since forming in 2002, the Victoria-based band has produced three independently recorded, critically acclaimed CDs. Monday Magazine chose Triangle Mountain the “most listenable CD” in 2004, while Barley Wik’s second CD, Dusty Lullaby, was chosen album of the year in 2005 at the Vancouver Island Music Awards. Barley Wik's newest release, Beyond The Down, has already reached CBC airwaves.
Barley Wik have made two successful cross-Canada tours and are a fixture on Victoria’s vibrant music scene. The band’s music was featured on Village 900’s World Music Vol. 2 and Grrrls With Guitars, a Vancouver-based independent label showcasing west coast women singer songwriters. Last spring, Barley Wik was one of 15 bands chosen in a cross-Canada competition to appear on the Dig Your Roots compilation CD, a Canadian talent development initiative of the National Campus and Community Radio Association.
Jane Siberry recently chose the band for IndiEclectic.com, the artist-run on-line music showcase. Siberry describes Barley Wik’s music as “heart, spirit, wide, dusty (but clear), great energy.”
“heart, spirit, wide, dusty (but clear), great energy.” - Jane Siberry
- For bookings please contact GRELIN Entertainment Inc. greg@grelin.com
or email us barleywik@yahoo.com.
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GREAT job last night in regina. i really enjoyed the show. also, thanks so much for signing my cd. hope you come back soon...have a great summer and travel safe :)
I fly into Calgary on June 15! I am going to try to come to your show on the 16! Drop me a line if you guys are going to be around for a couple of days. It would be great to see you!
I just wanted to tell yall how awesome I thought you were at the Florida Federation of Fairs convention....I really enjoyed it.....I hope I get to see you perform in the future!
Don't know if they noticed, but I enjoyed tonight's show in Oliver immensely! You just have to see them if ever they are in your vicinity. We found it well worth our drive. Great show, Gals!
Thanks for adding Rambles. NET to your friends' list!
Hey, if you would like your music to be considered for a feature on our site, be sure to send a couple of review CDs our way. (You can find the mailing address on our page.) We love to share new music with our readers!
Sarah plays those two damn songs on the jukebox over and over and over again...they are good songs...but a live show would be better...We'll still be in Nanton till April and we are eagerly awaiting that showing of yours! We just had Little Miss Higgins here on Valentines Day, what a great night that was...
I finished writing this Song "Train of Circumstance" right before new year's and couldn't stop thinking about how it would be rad to hear Barley Wik playing it was hoping you would listen to it...and if you like it maybe even play it someday maybe you might want to jam it.
hey everybody, you probably already own a copy, but given how hard they are to find and how they make great gifts, check out http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2340847387 (become a member of facebook and copy the link) become a Barley Wik fans group member and enter the contest to win a free copy of Beyond the Down. Contest ends 7PM Nov 25, 2007.
