Artist Highlight: Bar Italia - All The New Craze

Bar Italia, the London based group consisting of Nina Cristante (who’s actually Italian), Jezmi Tarik Fehmi, and Sam Fenton, has a new album underway, and we are SO EXCITED! 

Although formed not too long ago in 2020, Bar Italia has been booked and busy. In the nearly 6 years they've been together, they’ve produced 4 albums, 3 EPs, and a good amount of singles. Their new album on the way, Some Like It Hot (out October 17 via Matador Records), is a project I think will break through the indie scene and be a huge success for the band.

What initially drew me into their sound was how unique it was. From the melodies, the distinction between the male and female vocals, the changing tempos, to the bass lines, their multi-functional sound is what keeps it interesting. For instance, one day I can hear a song of theirs and feel a certain way, and then pick it up a few months later and feel it completely differently. In an age where everyone’s trying to imitate an era and cling to nostalgia, I think Bar Italia is doing something completely fresh and intriguing. 

‘Enchanting’, ‘hip’, ‘groovy’, ‘soothing’, ‘cheeky’, ‘pulsating ', these are some of the words that come to mind when I listen to their latest single “Fundraiser” that dropped 3 weeks ago.  Compared to their earlier tracks like “my little tiny,” “Nurse!,” and “punkt” (my personal favorites), “Fundraiser” just sounds more electric than ever before. 

After listening to their interview on the podcast “How Long Gone” with hosts Chris Black and Jason Stewart (Them Jeans), the trio shared that this new upcoming album would feature more dynamic production qualities than their previous work. With just two singles from the new record released already, I can hear this new era slowly approaching!

“Fundraiser” is paired with the other single “Cowbella,” also from the upcoming album. “Cowbella” has loads of energy from the distortion on the bass and guitar, the double tracking on Nina’s vocals, and the unique dynamics and mood of the song. Knowing these two singles are all we have so far before the album drops makes me feel so excited for what’s to come. 

Aside from their sound, the folks in the band are really cool. Nina recently worked with experimental indie legend Yves Tumor, on his song “We Don’t Count.” Jezmi and Sam also have another band together called Double Virgo, which has production credits from the funky DJ/producer icon, Vegyn. The band has also been linked to Dean Blunt with their record label, Matador. 

All in all, I think Bar Italia is a band that is going to be huge in the near future and something you’ll want to claim you’ve been a fan of first.