Michael Barrow & The Tourists

Michael Barrow & The Tourists is an American Folk rock band[1] from Provo, Utah.[2] The 5-member band consists of Michael Barrow (guitar and lead vocals), Zach Collier (keyboards), Reed Perkins (drums), Alessandro Improta (Bass), and Mark Lanham (lead guitar and vocals).[3]

Michael Barrow & The Tourists
Michael Barrow & The Tourists in 2018. Photo by Dani Sork
Background information
Also known asMichael Barrow And The Tourists
OriginProvo, UT, United States
GenresFolk Rock
Years active2016–present
LabelsalexrainbirdRecords
Associated actsThe National Parks (Band)
Websitehttps://michaelbarrowandthetourists.com
MembersMichael Barrow
Zach Collier
Reed Perkins
Alessandro Improta
Mark Lanham
Past membersTrevor Harmon

The band formed in 2016 and has released four EPs and one full-length studio album.

History

2016-2017: Formation and Juneau

Michael Barrow & The Tourists began in early 2016 as the solo project of frontman Michael Barrow. Barrow was signed to a fledgling local record label called Wish Granted Records at the time, and its owner, Grant Fry, recruited a group of studio musicians to help record Barrow's first single.[4] This single, called "The List," was recorded at Noisebox Studios with producer Dave Zimmerman.[5] The group decided to back Barrow live at gigs in the area after a successful session and became the first iteration of The Tourists, featuring members Zach Collier, Reed Perkins, Alessandro Improta, and original lead guitarist Trevor Harmon.

Their debut album, Juneau, was mixed and mastered by Chicago native Brian Zieske, who produced the breakthrough records for both The Hush Sound and The Academy Is… in the early 2000’s.[6] The album's lead single "Turning To Gold" caught the attention of indie tastemaker Alex Rainbird, and they signed a deal with alexrainbirdRecords.[7] The record received positive local reviews, with SLUG Magazine praising its "melodic beauty and narrative complexity"[8] and Reach Provo calling it "a breath of fresh air."[9]

2018-2020: Santa Barbara Sessions, Lineup Changes, Something New and Something Different

In 2018, Michael Barrow & The Tourists released an EP entitled Santa Barbara Sessions. The record consisted of five acoustic tracks, and produced the notable "All I'll See Is You"[10] which garnered hundreds of thousands of streams. The band returned to the studio with producer Brian Zieske in the summer of 2018 to work on their new EP, Something New. Harmon left the band on good terms in the middle of production and was replaced by Mark Lanham on lead guitar. Both are featured on the record, with Harmon providing lead guitar work and Lanham providing backing vocals on the band's most successful single "Sweet Honey."[11]

After garnering millions of streams, the band toured the Western United States in 2019. The band cancelled their 2020 tour due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. They released a YouTube exclusive album called LoFi Jams for Strange and Uncertain Times in April of that year. Something Different, an EP featuring remixes and alternate versions of tracks from Something New, arrived in September.

Michael Barrow & The Tourists is currently recording their second full length album with producer Scott Wiley, known for his work with The National Parks (band) and Neon Trees. "Clover," the lead single for their second record, was released on January 29, 2021.[12][13]

References
  1. "Michael Barrow & The Tourists| Album Discography | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  2. "Provo Band Michael Barrow and the Tourists Plays Serious Music, Tells Bad Dad Jokes". KSL.com. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  3. "Artists - Teton® Guitars". Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  4. "News: Wish Granted Records' Michael Barrow to Perform Tonight – Provo Music Magazine". provomusicmagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  5. "The Company Next Door - Interview With Dave Zimmerman (Noisebox Studios)". buzzsprout.com. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  6. "Brian Zieske". discogs.com. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  7. "Michael Barrow And The Tourists". alexrainbirdRecords.com. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  8. "LOCAL REVIEW: MICHAEL BARROW & THE TOURISTS – JUNEAU". Salt Lake Underground Magazine. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  9. "Album Review: Juneau by Michael Barrow & the Tourists". provomusicmagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  10. Angela (2019-05-28). "Take Your Ears on a Journey with Michael Barrow & the Tourists". downinthepit. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  11. Staff, City Weekly. "Album Reviews and Latest Rescheduled Shows". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  12. Gregory, Silas. "New Music Discoveries - The Best New Releases ( January 29th )". Chalkpit Records. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  13. McFarland, Ian. "Michael Barrow & The Tourists - "Clover"". Hot Lunch Music. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
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