Local artist Daniel Barrie has released his debut album 'Bluer Shade of Grey' today (16 January).

The 11-track album focuses on Daniel's personal experiences, all written and composed by him.

He will celebrate the launch with a sold-out gig at Leamington's The Temperance tonight.

Daniel told Nub News the story of how the album came together from his home studio in Kenilworth.

Making 'Bluer Shade of Grey'

"The songs on the album, they're all personal experiences. I mean, they can be relatable, but they're all about myself, finding my way and finding a partner and just kind of dealing with grief," he explained.

The title track helps to set the theme for the album.

Daniel described the story of the song, saying: "I was walking through a shopping centre and there were so many shut shops. I was thinking it was a real shame because you've got this beautiful big building with just nothing in it.

"And then the kind of snowboard from there with the idea that we are sometimes controlled by people we don't know because of how we've pushed with adverts online or how the media pushes things on people.

"So, I built the song around that and the way the news says that bad things are happening, but if you go about your daily life, a lot of the things don't really affect you. It's kind of just all about how things aren't particularly great."

The album is out now on all streaming platforms.

He also said that the album title is a subtle nod to nearby Coventry.

The 21-year-old explained: "I thought it was an apt title because obviously Coventry and the football club, the Sky Blues, so I thought it'd be a little nod to that."

He released the album's lead single, 'See It Now', on 9 January and described the story of the track as "meeting someone after a tough time in your life and realising they are the one".

The former Kenilworth School pupil explained why he chose this song to tease the album: "It was the most catchy. I really like this song. When I've played it live, people have loved it, and I thought he really set the message of the album, which is an upbeat indie rock record with catchy choruses and interesting lyrics."

His personal favourite from the album is the opening track, 'Feel It When It's Pouring', which he described as "about enjoying your own city, even though people might not like it and they might not think it's particularly nice".

Daniel added: "It's kind of my weird love letter to Coventry."

"Most songs about Coventry tend to be kind of weird, you've got 'Ghost Town' or ' We Live And Die In These Towns', which don't paint Coventry out to be the most beautiful place, but it's kind of our place."

Daniel said that he has written over 200 songs over the years and explained how important it was to keep the album short and cohesive.

He said: "There was a lot of cutting down for this one, but I wanted to keep it as 11, partially because of my love of football, but I didn't want to overwhelm with a 1st album."

"If it's too long, people won't listen to it. I understand I'm an artist releasing a debut record, you know, I can't release a Morgan Wallen-style 35-song album and think that everyone's going to listen to it. You have to be selective."

Daniel is celebrating his debut album release this evening with a sold-out gig at The Temperance in Leamington. He said, "I decided to do it at The Temperance, because we did an EP launch there before. It's a really intimate venue. It's quite small, you're almost spitting on the front row. It's super nice to play and just show off the album in the best light for the first show."

The album is out now on all streaming platforms.

The road to success

Daniel's love for music began when he was young. He said: "It started back when I was three. I used to have like an iPod and I'd sit there and I'd listen through all of my parents' songs. I think I'd always had it in mind that I wanted to be a musician, and I remember watching movies like Rock of Ages and I was like, that's awesome, I'd love to be a musician."

Originally from the Lake District, he found music to pass the time in a new city. He said: "It was when I moved to Coventry is when I decided that I wanted to pick up an instrument because I hadn't really got anything else to do and I was pretty bored. So, I started teaching myself, and then I had some lessons, and it just snowballed from there from a hobby into a career."

Alongside the piano, mandolin, and bass, the acoustic guitar is Daniel's favourite instrument, featuring heavily on the album. The former Kenilworth School student said: "I remember there was a quote somewhere that said if a song can't be played on an acoustic guitar and sang, then it's not a good song."

"Guitar's my main instrument where I feel comfortable. If I don't have a guitar, I'm on stage. I'm very lost."

He has found inspiration in other iconic musicians and has developed his own sound. He said: "Sonically, it's a mix between the Stone Roses, who are my favourite band, The Smiths, and Oasis. It's kind of sits in a mid-ground of 90s-inspired indie rock, but with a more modern twist on it with the production and

the storytelling. I think it's a nice middle ground between kind of retro and feeling modern."

He released his first EP 'Love and Lies' in 2024, as a limited physical release. He's also put out 11 singles since he started releasing music in 2021.

Support from the local music scene has helped him on his journey as a young, aspiring artist. He said: "There's been a lot of really helpful people within the music scene around the area. You've got some amazing acts, like Danny Ansell and Chrissy Ducks. There's loads, I'd be listing off for hours of the brilliant musicians in the area, and it's quite a tight knit scene."

"The nicest part about it is that everyone supports each other and no one's got a huge ego about themselves. People lift you up. So, I've always found them very supportive."

Daniel is now returning that support to other local artists, hosting The Listening Room event at the Talisman Theatre in Kenilworth. He said: "I'm trying to make a night where we shine a spotlight on some of the original acts and make sure they have a chance to play to a full room of people who want to listen and hear the stories behind the songs."

What comes next?

Daniel said he is focusing on his indie rock sound and building up his audience. He said: "I think what I want to do is get a catalogue of music out there. Once my audience grows, they'll have music and things to go and watch."

"I see it like a series, you know, when you've got a Netflix series, people go and binge the three or four seasons beforehand and then catch up. I think that's the way I'm kind of viewing releasing this album."

He says he also has an EP in the works and hopes to release it at the end of the year.