“One x One” is from About the Winter, a new album by the rising Minneapolis-based roots group Barbaro. The song exemplifies the album’s expansive, atmospheric take on roots music: From a cavernous and minimalistic soundscape, fiddler Rachel Calvert’s ringing voice emerges with a deliberate performance of vulnerability and power. Meanwhile, her bandmates — songwriter Kyle Shelstad on guitar and Jason Wells bass — ground the otherworldly sounds to a warmly strummed acoustic bedding.
As Shelstad explains: “When we first started working on ‘One x One,’ we immediately all agreed that Rachel should perform the lead vocals. Her voice fits the tune nicely and her delicate delivery of the lyrics brought a new dynamic to their meaning. The original lyrics of the song were improvised by Rachel as a satire, cracking jokes about the weird things people pay money for. While we really enjoyed the laughs, we all agreed this first iteration of the lyrics didn’t fit the overall theme of the album. So a day or so before heading into the studio I wrote some new words for it.”
Shelstad continues: “For me ‘One x One’ boils down to the unspoken expectation of oneself to be perceived by others as strong and confident, unweathered by storms and always forging ahead — something I have always personally struggled with. I hope listeners are left with a sense of contentment after listening to this song. While it comes across as a sad tune, its intent is to be one of vulnerability, reflection, comfort, and clarity.”
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