At just 24, James Barry already sounds like an artist who’s lived a few musical lifetimes. Releasing music under his indie project link3 since late 2022, Barry’s journey has been shaped by instinct, curiosity and a very clear vision, rooted in a self-described ‘slowcore revival’. Growing up in Australia, he gravitated towards the quiet intensity of artists like Dean Blunt, Powderfinger and, most predominantly, Duster, teaching himself guitar during lockdown with little more than determination and a desire to make something. That sense of raw, unfiltered creation still defines link3 today, even as the project edges closer to something much bigger.
As it did for many, music became a lifeline during those isolated months, and after cutting his teeth writing solo material Barry felt the desire to learn alongside others through collaborating with other artists. This path led to Irish slowcore artist Liam McCay- a collaboration that would unknowingly lay the groundwork for link3’s early momentum. Their work together has since racked up close to 10 million streams, an impressive foundation that introduced Barry to a growing global audience. At this time, Barry was floating between Brisbane and Canberra as label interest poured in from LA, prompting a move overseas. After recording in LA and gaining invaluable industry experience, he faced a crossroads: return home, or start fresh somewhere new. Montreal won out, a decision Barry describes as ‘random’. Giving himself four months to build a band, he managed it in three, and link3 found its next chapter.
While link3 exists as a band in the live sense, it’s always been a deeply personal project for Barry. Since 2024, that experimentation has been elevated by the addition of Sunniva as co-lead vocalist. Her presence has shifted the dynamic of the project in a meaningful way, allowing James to focus more heavily on songwriting while pushing the emotional and melodic scope of the music even further. She now sings almost everything on record, effectively becoming the second core member of link3.
This evolution is felt most strongly on link3’s upcoming January release, On The Outline– a beautiful indie record that feels tailor-made for long summer afternoons. Dreamy, unhurried and deeply immersive, it’s an album that rewards patience. Sunniva’s soft, floating vocals glide over delicate melodic guitars, creating a cohesive atmosphere that never feels stagnant. Leading single “I Wish We Could Have Talked About It” is a perfect entry point, gently and perfectly setting the tone for what follows. Each track bleeds seamlessly into the next, unified by mood while still standing confidently on its own. It’s a glowing, thoughtful body of work from an artist clearly operating from a place of inspiration rather than expectation.
The intimacy of the record is no accident. Recorded and produced by James himself, the album was pieced together using a makeshift studio setup and old gear. I feel like this is almost something you can hear in the final mixes- not as a flaw, but as a strength. There’s a rawness here that adds warmth and honesty, making the songs feel lived-in and human as opposed to polished to perfection.
“I had a vision with what I wanted it to sound like in terms of the things I’ve been listening to recently. Lyrically, I wanted to push myself a bit harder. I feel like a lot of my writing is usually a stream of consciousness, so I wanted to try and express myself more. It’s hard when you’re trying to like write lyrics about something that’s more emotional or more personal to you to not come off as too vulnerable or too over the top, and feel like it’s not relatable to as many people.”
Sonically, the record wears its influences proudly, nodding to the acoustic fragility of folk-leaning indie without ever feeling derivative.
“As for the raw type of recording and the acoustic aspect of it, obviously Nick Drake and Elliott Smith and people that have always been an inspiration sonically. And even Alex G, those types of artists, I really try to listen to that and use that as my reference when I’m mixing.”
Though it’s through a screen, chatting with Barry is refreshing- there’s a palpable sense that you’re catching an artist right before everything accelerates. He’s passionate in a way that still feels new, untouched by cynicism or industry polish. This excitement is mirrored in his gratitude for the audience link3 has already reached, something he still finds surreal.
“I feel like with this record, link3 has gone so much further than I ever thought it would. The fact that it’s even reached millions of people is something that I find hard to wrap my head around…it’s come so far that I kind of owe the people that have let it go the distance. I owe them a serious project or at least an attempt at a more serious project.”
Despite the growing numbers, James Barry values being at a stage where fan interaction still feels personal. He loves receiving messages, hearing stories, and feeling that genuine connection, which is a luxury that often gets lost as projects scale. While his long-term goal is to bring link3 home for Australian shows, for now his focus is on intimate performances across Canada and North America.
With On The Outline just weeks out from being released, link3 feels poised on the edge of something special. It’s an album that doesn’t chase trends or demand attention, but instead invites you in quietly, holding real emotional weight. If this record is any indication, James Barry isn’t just reviving slowcore ideals but he’s reshaping them in his own image, one beautifully understated song at a time.
Photo Credit: Artist supplied
