Courtney Barnett is an Australian singer-songwriter from Sydney, born in 1987. She later moves to Hobart, Tasmania, and begins performing music in 2006 before relocating to Melbourne in 2010. Her work sits across alternative rock, folk, indie folk, indie rock, rock and singer-songwriter music.

Early work and bands

Before concentrating on solo material, Barnett plays in several bands, including Immigrant Union and The Olivettes. Her early songwriting is marked by plainspoken lyrics and a loose, conversational delivery.

Milk! Records and early releases

In 2012, Barnett sets up her own label, Milk! Records. That year she records her debut EP, I’ve Got A Friend Called Emily Ferris, in a friend’s lounge room and releases it later in the year. She also releases the single “History Eraser”, paired with Jen Cloher’s “Mount Beauty” on a split seven-inch release.

In 2013, she releases her second EP, How to Carve a Carrot Into a Rose, which also includes “History Eraser” and the single “Avant Gardener”. Barnett later combines the two EPs into The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas, released internationally through House Anxiety and Marathon Artists.

Albums and recognition

Barnett’s debut album, Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, comes out in 2015 and receives wide acclaim. At the 2015 ARIA Music Awards, she wins four awards from eight nominations. She is also nominated for Best New Artist at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards and for International Female Solo Artist at the 2016 Brit Awards.

In 2018, she releases her second album, Tell Me How You Really Feel.

Collaborations

In 2017, Barnett releases Lotta Sea Lice, a collaborative album with Kurt Vile. She is also listed with Kurt Vile as part of the act.