Seattle melodic rock quartet Barcelona is readying their debut disc titled absolutes out September 25 (digital release: August 14 on iTunes). The independent release will be licensed and distributed by Curb Appeal Records and the band recently inked an exclusive, worldwide deal with Warner Chappell Publishing.
What began as a solo project two years ago has matured into the four-piece piano-driven, melodic, indie rock machine of Barcelona.
After recording his solo debut Safety Songs, an up-and-coming Seattle singer/songwriter Brian Fennell (vocals, keyboards) assembled a band for a short tour including his childhood friend Brian Eichelberger - a classically trained violinist who self-taught bass - and college buddies Chris Bristol (Guitar) and Rhett Stonelake (drums).
As the chemistry clicked and the sound evolved, Fennell realized his musical ambitions were best suited to a band, and Barcelona was born.
Attracting the attention of A&R execs, the band did the song and dance of major label showcases but became restless and ultimately returned to Seattle to refocus their attention on songwriting for a debut disc to be released on their own label, NBD Music.
Using "Numb," "Response," and "Colors" - three tracks from Fennell's solo disc Safety Songs - as the anchor, Barcelona crafted a new batch of piano-based melodic songs led by Fennell's soaring vocals that would become absolutes.
During the recording, the band was courted by renowned publishing heavyweight Warner Chappell to an exclusive co-publishing deal that helped secure distribution for the disc through Curb Appeal Records.
Now, with their first full-length album under their belts, Barcelona will hit the road to showcase the new songs for the fan base they've built on the west coast, and beyond.