Darkbird | Texas Review | Ralph Arvesen
Darkbird performing during the Full Moon Festival at Dreamland Dripping Springs in Dripping Springs, Texas on July 24, 2021, with Ethan Yeager, Eric Wilson, Kelly Barnes, Damien Howard, Chris Spencer, and Brian Cole. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)

"I wanted to be here, I wanted to behave, but it's so hard tonight"... lyrics to the first song Kelly and Brian would ever write together set the stage for the romantic waterloo that would become Darkbird.

Kelly Barnes left Los Angeles after a broken marriage resulted in a broken band. Just prior to the move, she unexpectedly hit international success, singing a monster hit called, “Get Shaky” with DJ Ian Carey. While the track and a few others were financially significant to the ex-wife and waitress, the style of music was unfulfilling to Barnes. She began to dread performing the songs and eventually became fearfully depressed.

After a tragic house fire in NYC, Brian Cole opted for a fresh start. As his belongings smoldered in the winter snow, he decided to pack up what was left and head south in search of warmer days and better luck.

Ironically, while most go to LA or NYC to make their dreams come true, Brian and Kelly found each other on the musician page on Craigslist in Austin, TX. While they had hoped to leave their pasts behind, inevitably, the heartbreaks found a place they call home in Darkbird.

After their 3rd official SXSW appearance, the Austinite darling just finished their debut album which will be released in 2021.
Fantastic set! High energy! 11/10
Darkbird shared the stage with Golden Dawn Arkestra, Alex Maas, and Viben & The Submersibles at Dreamland Dripping Springs. They continue across the United States with the last stop at the Scoot Inn in Austin, Texas on November 13, 2021.

Dreamland is an outdoor entertainment and arts venue that features the world’s most extreme miniature golf course, four premium, weather-protected pickleball courts and two state of the art music stages for incredible acts playing to audiences large and small.

Darkbird
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Dreamland
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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