Barny Fletcher: The Soulful Chameleon of Modern Pop

Barny Fletcher, the London-based soul-stirrer with a penchant for mischief, returns with his latest track, "Moments In A Lifetime." Garnering praise from Clash and Line of Best Fit, Fletcher's music continues to evolve, blending pop, R&B, hip-hop, and disco into a kaleidoscopic soundscape. His new single is a rich, nuanced reminder that dark times are fleeting, infused with uplifting melodies that speak to the challenges and hopes of young adulthood. Since debuting in 2019, Fletcher has quickly risen through the ranks, with sold-out shows, festival appearances, and now, a fresh chapter in his ever-changing musical journey. With "Big hooks, big songs" as his mantra, Barny Fletcher is poised to take the world by storm. His new track 'Moments In A Lifetime' is out this Thursday.

1. ‘Scotch of St. James' has such a cool funk/soul feel. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this track and the story that led you to write it?

‘Scotch of St. James’ is a legendary club tucked away in Mayfair. I went there for a night out in London during Fashion Week a few years back. I somehow managed to get into this party, and the whole night had this surreal feel to it. Virgil Abloh, Benji B, and Peggy Gou were all DJing back to back. Skepta, Winnie Harlow, Hailey Bieber, Tremaine Emory—everyone was packed into this tiny lil’ room. It was one of those nights that just stay with you. I wanted to capture that energy and put it into a song. My friend MEZZ had sent me this guitar part a while back, and it worked perfectly for the lyrics. After we’d structured the track, I connected with Valentine Morell (a crazy good guitarist) who I’d found on TikTok. She put down some licks, and everything came together!

2. Your music has evolved significantly since your debut in 2019. How would you describe your journey as an artist, and what has influenced the changes in your sound over the years?

The journey has been one of constant experimentation; I’m pretty restless in that sense. The idea of sticking to one sound for years and years is my idea of hell. Since I started in 2019 I’ve grown both as a musician, and as a person. Early on, I was more focused on getting the energy right, but as I've developed I’m increasingly interested in exploring layers and textures in my music. Bob Dylan, Kendrick Lamar, Jamiroquai, The Beatles, Young Thug, King Crimson; I love to take bits from each and use that, to bring something new to life. 

3. You mentioned your experience at The Scotch of Saint James, where you were surrounded by iconic figures and the club’s rich musical history. How do these experiences and environments shape your music and songwriting?

It was one of those moments where you feel connected to something bigger than yourself. Being in a place with such rich history made me reflect on my own sound and what I want to leave behind. Legacy.

4. Your music video for ‘Scotch of St. James’ is inspired by The Beatles' iconic rooftop performance. How did you come up with this concept, and what was the experience like filming it amidst London’s blend of old and new buildings?

Ahh yeah that was a lot of fun! We didn’t have long to plan and shoot the video, so had to be somewhat quick about things. I knew I wanted to do a performance video, and seeing as Scotch has such a strong place in British music history, I thought what better than to pay homage to one of London’s most iconic music videos; The Beatles ‘Don’t Let Me Down’. I had about thirty friends dress-up in 70’s business attire. We had to scramble up a very dodgy ladder to get to the roof. The weather was beautiful. We laughed. We drank beer. I think we did a good job.

5. With a string of new singles set to release this year, including ‘Moments In A Lifetime’, what can your fans expect from this new era in your music? Are there any themes or styles you are particularly excited to explore?

Scotch and Moments In A Lifetime are great examples of this new era for me. I’m really exercising my songwriter side. The rap stuff is on ice for the time being. Working with artists from different genres has also really opened my mind creatively. I’ve got some collaborations with Jay-1 and The Waterboys coming up, which are totally different projects, but that’s the exciting part for me; playing with contrasts and seeing how it all comes together.