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| Barnato and Company | |
|---|---|
| Name | Barnato and Company |
| Origin | London |
| Genres | Cabaret; Art rock; Chamber pop |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Cherry Red Records; Independent |
| Associated acts | Peter Gabriel; David Bowie; Scott Walker; Kate Bush |
Barnato and Company Barnato and Company is a British ensemble formed in London combining elements of cabaret, art rock, and chamber pop. The group has drawn attention for theatrical arrangements, literate lyrics, and collaborations that bridge West End songwriting, BBC Radio 3 broadcasting, and independent record label production. Their work sits at an intersection of performers from Royal Academy of Music backgrounds, session players from Abbey Road Studios sessions, and producers associated with East West Studios.
Barnato and Company emerged in 2010 amid a resurgence of interest in theatrical cabaret within London's Soho and Camden scenes. Founding members included alumni of Royal Academy of Music and veterans of National Theatre pit orchestras who had toured with productions linked to Stephen Sondheim revivals and Andrew Lloyd Webber-adjacent projects. Early performances were at venues such as The Troubadour and The Lyric Hammersmith, leading to sessions recorded at Abbey Road Studios and mixing by engineers with credits for David Bowie and Kate Bush. The ensemble's initial EP circulated via Bandcamp and drew attention from presenters on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 3, leading to a deal with Cherry Red Records for a debut album.
Core membership has included a rotating constellation of vocalists, string players, and arrangers whose biographies intersect with institutions and artists across London and beyond. Principal figures have billed ties to Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and alumni networks connected to tours for Peter Gabriel and session work for Scott Walker. Collaborators have included string arrangers who worked at Capitol Studios and brass players with credits on Paul McCartney projects. Producers and engineers affiliated with Abbey Road Studios and mixers who have worked with Brian Eno and Trevor Horn have contributed to studio releases. Management and publicity have been handled by teams with backgrounds at Rough Trade and XL Recordings.
Musically, the group blends influences from cabaret of the Weimar Republic era, the art-pop of David Bowie, and the baroque textures of Scott Walker. Their arrangements often evoke chamber ensembles associated with Benjamin Britten and contemporary art-pop producers linked to Peter Gabriel. Lyrical themes recall the narrative density of Leonard Cohen and the theatrical irony of Tom Waits, while harmonic palettes reference composers such as Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky via orchestration choices popularized in West End adaptations. Production aesthetics nod to studio innovators like Brian Eno and engineers from Abbey Road Studios, creating a sound that intersects with chamber pop and contemporary cabaret revivalism.
Notable releases include an early self-released EP, a full-length debut on Cherry Red Records, and limited-edition vinyl singles pressed in collaboration with independent record label collectives. Key titles have been championed on BBC Radio 6 Music playlists and featured in curated sets by presenters known for showcasing cross-genre acts. Singles received airplay alongside artists such as Kate Bush and Pulp on specialty programs and have been included in compilations alongside tracks from Scott Walker retrospectives. Studio albums were tracked at Abbey Road Studios with overdubs completed in East London studios used by Peter Gabriel-adjacent producers.
Live activity spans intimate cabaret rooms in Soho to festival appearances at Glastonbury Festival-adjacent stages and curated nights at Meltdown Festival events. Tours have taken the ensemble through provincial theatres, university venues connected to Guildhall School of Music and Drama alumni networks, and special concerts tied to BBC Proms-adjacent productions. The group has supported headline sets for artists whose careers intersect with theatrical art rock—sharing bills with performers associated with David Bowie tributes and Scott Walker-influenced showcases. Residency runs included extended seasons at The Roundhouse and guest spots in Edinburgh Festival Fringe cabaret programs.
Critical responses placed the ensemble within a lineage that includes Scott Walker, David Bowie, and contemporary cabaret revivals celebrated by critics at publications and broadcasters that cover art rock and experimental pop. Reviews referenced parallels with Leonard Cohen and noted the group's orchestral ambitions akin to projects by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. Their niche influence is evident in collaborative projects with Theatre Royal productions and educational workshops at institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Over time, Barnato and Company have been cited in program notes for West End revivals and in liner notes for compilations curated by Cherry Red Records and other independent labels.
Category:British musical groups