The Check-In with Kevin Barnes-of Montreal

From Tour Stories/The Check-In with Joe Plummer by Ruinous Media

May 15, 2026 · 30 min · Season 8 · Episode 321

About this episode

Kevin Barnes discusses his new album 'aethermead', its themes, and his experiences in songwriting and teaching.

Kevin Barnes is the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter for of Montreal. aethermead, of Montreal’s 20th studio album is due out June 5th via Polyvinyl Record Co. Kevin shares the unusual heartbreak story behind the new record, why it felt right to go with a more collaborative approach and how the invented record title relates to a very important part of his daily routine. He tells us how limited time shaped the record and brought more life than expected into the songs. The two discuss Kevin’s lyrical approach, how it can be a complicated version of projection and why that may inform the listener’s experience. Kevin tells us how he wound up teaching a course called “Songwriting Crimes and Recording Atrocities” at Bennington College, why making a music video with his daughter was a special experience and we sample a couple new tunes for aethermead. of Montreal Polyvinyl Record Co. Tour Stories would like to welcome our newest sponsor Kuma Coffee. Kuma Coffee is a 100% Independently owned roasting company right here in Seattle since 2008. Kuma is a 5-person team, roasting over 100,000lbs of exclusively high scoring coffee each year. They source their coffees direct from…

People in this episode

Host: Joe Plummer

Guest: Kevin Barnes

Topics covered

music
songwriting
collaboration
heartbreak
teaching
new album
music video

Keywords

Kevin Barnes
of Montreal
aethermead
songwriting
music video
collaboration
heartbreak
Kuma Coffee

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: of Montreal, Polyvinyl Record Co.

Books & works: aethermead

Places: Bennington College