It's easy to forget how young some of our favorite performers are when they enter the music world. From Michael Jackson's Jack 5 debut at the age of 11, to Lorde's chart-topping single "Royals" at the age of 16, it doesn't take much life experience to make a splash in the music industry. Tuesdays Under 21 is a Music Times feature dedicated to bringing attention to talented musicians and performers under the age of 21. Who knows? They just might be the next big thing.

WHO: George Barnett

WHERE: Herefordshire, England

AGE: 19

WHY: The range of Barnett's talents are pretty self-explanatory if you take the time to watch the music video for his track "Animal Keeper," a song from the EP of the same name. The singer-songwriter plays, by our count, five instruments: guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and an electronic MPC (music production controller). And, thanks to the wonders of video editing, all six of him (he sings as well, of course) can appear at the same time.

And yes, he produces his own music videos. So count that as another skill.

Barnett's not the first musician to record all of his own instrumentals, but based on "Animal Keeper" alone, we can see that there's loads of potential for his creativity. Sure, there's "organic" rock versus electronic music, but we're more intrigued by his incorporation of mature themes into instrumentals that are ready to thump from club subwoofers. The "frontman" version of Barnett thrusts his hands hip-hop style as he denounces what he sees as a Christian cult.

Bennett has already released two full-lengths since 2011, and his potential can only expand. As can his instrumental repertoire.

Join the Discussion