You can tell a lot about an artist by their musical influences, but when they list their biggest inspirations as “Gorillaz, The Strokes, and Paolo Nutini,” it’s difficult to pin them down.
The only thing that can be said for certain about Divebar Youth is: expect the unexpected.
As Divebar Youth, artist and producer Vinnie Barbaro takes pride in how genre-hopping his sound is, and how versatile his output is. On Spotify and Apple Music, his songs regularly appear on playlists as diverse as ‘Indie Arrivals’ and ‘Misfits 2.0’; ‘New in Pop’ and ‘New in Alternative’; when even the streaming giants can’t pin you down, you know you’re packing mischievous surprises in your songbook.
There might be flashes of Gorillaz, The Strokes, and the crooning Nutini in Barbaro’s sound, but it’s all tied up in a distinctly Divebar Youth package.
There’s a reason that the rising singer-songwriter has been mentored by Angus & Julia Stone, earned co-signs from The Jungle Giants, Robert Smith and more, and been selected for the APRA AMCO & TikTok Australia SongHubs.
On Thursday, October 17th, Divebar Youth is one of a number of exciting artists performing at Rolling Stone House at SXSW Sydney. He’ll take the stage on night two at UTS Underground, alongside the likes of Bakers Eddy, Bri Clark, and Voice of Baceprot.
Divebar Youth will come into the event in fine form: after releasing his latest EP, Idioms, earlier this year, he was selected to showcase at last month’s BIGSOUND 2024, where even the approaching midnight hour couldn’t deter a huge crowd gathering to hear his music (more on that below).
To celebrate his forthcoming Rolling Stone House performance, we caught up with Divebar Youth to find out more about his life, music, and inspirations. Read the full interview below.
SXSW Sydney badge holders will have priority access to Rolling Stone House, which opens its doors from October 16th-18th, in partnership with American Apparel, Cholula and Vinyl.com.
If you’re keen to experience the whole event and receive priority access, consider purchasing a badge or wristband here or register your interest for the guest list here.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: First of all, are you looking forward to playing at SXSW Sydney?
Divebar Youth: I’m so excited to be playing at SXSW Sydney this year! Ever since I heard about it, it’s been a major goal of mine. So many incredible artists who’ve inspired me have performed at SXSW events over the years, and it’s surreal to now be taking part.
Will this be your first time playing the event?
This will be my first time performing at SXSW. Kicking things off at Rolling Stone House on Thursday night feels almost unreal, and I can’t wait to take the stage there. I know it’s going to be a special moment.
Are there any other acts playing at SXSW Sydney you’re keen to see?
There are so many amazing artists on the lineup! I’m especially excited to see Jorja Smith, Moonchild Sanelly, and Hockey Dad. SXSW Sydney has such a diverse range of genres and styles this year. It’s a perfect mix, and I’m all about that kind of energy.
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How did your BIGSOUND showcase go recently?
BIGSOUND was an absolute whirlwind and so much fun. My first show was late on a Tuesday night, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I hit the stage at 11pm to a packed house, and the energy was incredible. I loved every second of it.
Describe Divebar Youth to a new listener in one sentence.
Self-produced, genre-bending indie music made to soundtrack your life.
Can you name three artists who’ve inspired your sound the most?
Gorillaz, The Strokes, and Paolo Nutini.
Tell me about your Idioms EP. Were you happy with the reaction from fans to the record?
Absolutely! The response to the EP has been incredible. It allowed me to go on my first national headline tour in August. I was genuinely blown away by the level of support. It was unreal to see people traveling from different cities and areas just to catch a Divebar Youth show. I’ll never forget people singing my songs back to me in each city, it was so special. I met amazing people along the way, which has me looking forward to my next tour in March which I’ll announce soon. A massive thank you to everyone from me!
What themes did you explore on the EP?
The EP revolves around the theme that we can create our own meaning in life. I feel that the songs talk about the complexities of love and navigating uncertainty, but I want to encourage people to find their own interpretations and discover their own truths within the music.
What else do you have coming up this year? I hear you’re heading to Switzerland!
Yes! Right after SXSW Sydney, I’ll be heading to Europe for two shows in Paris and a performance at Echolot Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland. I’m really looking forward to connecting with people over there! On top of that, I’m releasing my new EP, called petrichor, on Friday, November 15th. My new song, “bad line,” is a taste of it. I think the next EP is a nice reflection of the moments I’ve experienced this year.
What’s one career goal you want to achieve in 2025?
In 2025, one of my main goals is to expand my touring. I want to reach more locations across Australia as well as perform in different countries around the world. Connecting with the people who are supporting my music is incredibly important to me. I’m also excited to reach more people who haven’t heard me. Music is made to be shared and that’s why I do everything I can to share as much as I can.
