IN SESSION 004: BARI
Our fourth episode of the In Session series comes from local Wellington artist BARI.
Known for his groovy productions that make you feel like you're on a European beach in the middle of summer, mixed with live elements like saxophone, guitar, keys and more, Bari brings a unique flavour to everything he touches.
If you've never checked out Bari's work before, I'd recommend tuning into Shed a Tear. It's a track I've had on repeat since it dropped, and it's a perfect introduction to Bari's sound.
Jazz flavours, live instrumentation, and all-round good vibes in this one. Enjoy.
What got you into production?
Growing up I was always just a rugby kid, never really got into the music stuff. My poppa tried to teach me guitar but I quit after one lesson when I couldn’t play perfectly on my first try. Then when lockdown hit I had all this time so I decided to give guitar another crack. I fully self taught myself and then went on to learning keys, bass and a little bit of sax as well. My production started out just making Mac Demarco style indie tunes for the next few years while in school. It wasn't until my first year of uni in 2025 that I started to get into dance music. My mate Josh (makes music under Lamchopz) was a massive inspiration for me. I'd already discovered jazz house artists like Berlioz, and when Josh started making music in that same sound I thought I’d give it a go. He somehow downloaded Logic Pro on my computer, and away I went.
Tell us about your sound / What influenced it?
I'd say my music sits somewhere between 90’s deep house and contemporary jazz. I love how ‘jazz house’ can fit pretty much any moment - you can chuck it on while driving, studying, cooking dinner or hearing it in a club at 2am, it just works.
Chaos in the CBD were a massive inspiration for me, along with artists like Dublon, Berlioz and Tour-Maubourg. They're all doing something a little different, but they've definitely shaped how I think about things creatively. Having Tour-Maubourg remix one of my tracks recently was a pretty surreal full-circle moment.
Living in Wellington is really inspiring too, the music scene here is super diverse. My flatmates are constantly trying to get me into making garage, hard house and trancey stuff. I don't know if I'll end up producing any of it, but I've never wanted to box myself into one sound. If I'm enjoying making something, then I’ll put it out there.
More recently I've been bringing live guitar and saxophone into my DJ sets. It adds a different energy and gives people something to connect with beyond just watching someone stand behind the decks.
What superpower would you have and why?
The ability to control the weather. Mainly because I live in Wellington and I'm sick of the wind.
Tell us about your new track "Need Your Love To Live", and how it came about?
The track started from just wanting to explore a side of jazz house that was a bit more energetic and danceable than the usual loungey sound. I wanted it to be versatile enough to work in a club but also at a wine bar.
I made the first demo and thought it would be sick to get Swedish jazz house duo TABLE involved. They’re big names in the scene, so it was an honour they were keen. We had a few phone calls and slowly built the track up, bringing in Finn Rees from Melbourne duo Close Counters on keys and Swedish saxophonist Eskil Larsson, who helped create that distinctive melody. It all came together really naturally and felt like the perfect track to lead the rollout of the upcoming debut EP.
Favourite plug-in?
Lounge Lizard EP-4 without a doubt. The electric piano sounds are unreal, it finds its way into almost every project.
Advice for someone wanting to get into the industry?
Make heaps of music. Don't just try to make stuff you think others will like or will get heaps of streams. Find inspiration, make something you think is sick and repeat the process. Every track teaches you something, even if no one ever hears it.
It's Sunday. What food are you ordering?
Waffles with bacon and a heap of maple syrup.
But there has to be more than one waffle. Last weekend I ordered "waffles" from a café and they brought out a single tiny waffle. It's literally a plural.
Plan your dream club night. 10PM–3AM.
10PM – Dublon
Ease everyone into the night with jazzy, soulful sounds.
11PM – Lamchopz
Straight underground jazz house and disco groovers from unc.
12AM – Barry Can't Swim (Live)
Unreal mix of electronic music and live musicianship.
1AM – Chaos in the CBD
Who knows what they will end up playing but will be heat.
2AM – Mall Grab
Something a bit different to end the night, big energy and big emotion.
Venue would have to be Cuba Street Tavern in Wellington. New favourite local spot, super intimate setting and has such a sick interior.
Tracklist:
Jazz Please — Brooklyn Baby
Hold Tight - Edit — Azuro
Jazz In The Middle — Quinten 909
Brolly at Cellar — Lamchopz
Who's Piano Is This? — Corazon De Melon
Duke — Kolter
The Trumpet Track - Mic — Marc Cotterell, Micky Mo
Music Theory — Bellaire/Tour-Maubourg
You Like Jazz? — Michael Diamond
Stay — Tour-Maubourg
Love Overdose — Brooklyn Baby
Valentina — Jeff The Fool
Havana Jazz - Extended — T.Markakis, Blanco K
Rhythm In My Thoughts — Toolate Groove
Shouts to Bari for droppin some knowledge and speaking to the team! We wish him well and can't wait to see what his future holds.