IN CONVERSATION WITH BRYANT BARNES

interview by JANA LETONJA

Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Bryant Barnes is entering a defining chapter. After the viral explosion of I’d Rather Pretend, amassing over 500 million TikTok views and more than 300 million streams, he solidified his arrival with his 18-track debut album SOLACE, a deeply personal and sonically expansive body of work. From contributing a haunting cover of Don’t Dream It’s Over to the Sony motion picture GOAT, to sharing stages with 070 Shake and selling out the European leg of his headline SOLACE Tour, Bryant is proving himself as one of the most compelling new voices in alternative pop. With major platform appearances and a North American tour set for 2026, his momentum shows no signs of slowing down.

jacket SCISSORHANDS
shorts RRR123
necklace PARTS OF FOUR
belt STREETS AHEAD
shoes BRYANT’S OWN

I’d Rather Pretend became a massive global moment. At what point did you realize the song had taken on a life of its own?

I probably realized it the first day when I posted a video of me playing the piano in front of my mom. The traction sort of skyrocketed instantly and I knew people really resonated with the track, so I continue to push it out.

With over 500 million TikTok views and 300 million streams, how did that viral success shift your perspective as an artist?

If I’m being honest, I didn’t expect any of that to happen in the first place. I actually thought another song on that EP was going to do better, so this song doing what it did made me realize that you never really know what’s going to resonate with people. It further promoted the idea that you shouldn’t be too goal oriented when it comes to art and instead create what’s authentic to you that you’ll love.

jacket SCISSORHANDS
shorts RRR123
necklace PARTS OF FOUR
belt STREETS AHEAD
shoes BRYANT’S OWN

Do you feel pressure to replicate that kind of success, or has it given you more freedom creatively?

I’ve always pressured myself to make the best art I could make and to continue growing every second of every day. This pressure for me has been a constant, so I think having this bit of success has actually provided comfort in knowing I can do what’s true to me.

SOLACE is an 18-track debut, which is ambitious for a first album. Why was it important for you to tell the story in such a full, expansive way?

There were just so many songs that really explained my thoughts at the time that I couldn’t stand leaving even one out. I wanted to put everything into my first album because that just felt to add every piece to create this odyssey of a story.

jacket SCISSORHANDS
shorts RRR123
necklace PARTS OF FOUR
belt STREETS AHEAD
shoes BRYANT’S OWN

The title SOLACE suggests comfort and reflection. What does solace mean to you personally?

I remember I was on a plane thinking about the different paths of life I’ve taken and the different journeys leading to where I was at the moment. And then I sort of questioned the purpose of it all. The answer I came up with was “to find peace”. So I wanted the album to represent all of the experiences I had leading up to its creation and I wanted to reflect the idea of “peace”. Solace is anything that gives that sense of peace, whether it’s God or family or video games or isolation or love, etc.

As a multi-instrumentalist, how hands-on are you in shaping the sonic landscape of your music?

When I’m making music even with producers, I always find myself adding notes or chords, playing around with different sounds. I think expressing myself through the production is just as important as lyrics or melodies because that can change the whole story of the song. It’s pretty rare for me to hop on a track where I don’t make changes in production so I’d say I’m pretty hands-on.

top MILLI POINT TWO
shorts and shoes BELACARTES
bracelets BRYANT’S OWN
rings THE GREAT FROG
wallet chain STARCHAIN WORLD

Your music often feels emotionally raw and introspective. Do you write primarily from personal experience, or do you enjoy storytelling through imagined perspectives as well?

When I first started writing songs, I was writing as a hurt individual, mainly from past relationships, so most of those songs were from experience. Now I write about anything that comes to mind, whether it’s a story or an experience someone else had or something I experienced 10 years ago. I think it’s pretty healthy for an artist to exercise their storytelling.

You recently covered Don’t Dream It’s Over for the Sony motion picture GOAT. What drew you to that song, and how did you make it your own?

I remember hearing Don’t Dream It’s Over in the car, for the first time, and I instantly saved it to my library, so when I was asked to cover it, I was like “Wow, what a coincidence. I love this song.” And I was even more ecstatic to learn that it would be in the GOAT movie because I’m a huge fan of Steph Curry who’s a voice actor in the film. I have to thank my producer Andrew Luce for ultimately producing the entire track and shaping it in a way that matches me.

top BELACARTES
trousers INTO DUSK
necklace THE GREAT FROG

Does contributing to film open up new creative ambitions for you, perhaps scoring or acting in the future?

I’ve always had the desire to do something in film, whether it was having a song in a movie, being an actor, a voice actor. So I’d say, contributing to this film definitely excites me about doing more in film/TV.

In an era of fast-moving trends, how do you stay grounded in your own artistic identity?

I stay grounded by knowing that the most beautiful creations are authentic and unique to my eyes. I just want to continue doing what I’m most passionate about and what I love.

top and shorts STYLIST CUSTOM
pants JUUN.J
gloves and boots BELACARTES
necklaces VEERT

As you prepare for the North American leg of your SOLACE Tour in 2026, what can fans expect from this next chapter of the live show?

My show is a place to have fun and to cry, and to sing your heart out. I think everyone should come see it at least once.

Are there any dream collaborations — producers, artists, or genres — you’re hoping to explore next?

Mike Dean cause he’s a goated producer. Who knows, maybe I’ll make a song with NBA YoungBoy.

TEAM CREDITS

talent BRYANT BARNES
photographer ETHAN MING
creative direction LUKE CHAN + KENDY
lighting tech MATTHEW KAVANAGH
stylist KENDY
hair GANI MILLAMA
grooming SHAIANNE YACKLEY
studio PINKBOX STUDIOS
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA