"Swore" by Gem Club

Gem Club's new album "Emerald Press" is gorgeous ... this is "Swore" from the new album. Thanks Christopher! I love when you stay around ...

https://www.iamgemclub.com/

The Poetry of Rock n' Roll: "Soft Season" by Gem Club

To observe National Poetry Month, once a week I have featured lyrics of rock n' roll or pop or contemporary songs that also double as exquisite poetry. And I am closing the month with a beautiful piece by Gem Club (the nom de musique of Chris Barnes).

The sound of Gem Club is chamber pop ... gentle, tender music arranged around Barnes' often agonizingly beautiful piano skills. "Soft Season" is an elegiac song inspired by the life and death of early-90s gay adult film actor Joey Stefano.

One of the things that makes a song or poem powerful is its universality. And I admit that this particular piece might not have universal appeal, but I am quite partial to it since it seems to be an uncanny, near word-for-word portrayal of a very specific time--a few actual incidents--in my own life. But I hope that there is a sort of universal idea here, one of fleeting youth full of the peculiar paradox of youth: confidence and fear, a mix of bold exploration and apprehension of the unknown. Maybe we have all been there, stepping out into the big world but not quite sure of ourselves ... and if you haven't, please let the narrative open a door for you to another perspective. The words in their musical form never fail to move me to tears.

Soft Season
by Gem Club (Chris Barnes)

Muscle shakes up against the wall
White waves in his mouth
He twists into a snake
He has all the time that he needs
And the eyes in the place
For as long as it lasts
I’m a boy on my back
And I’m more of a man

Might try to hurt me
Might try to love me too much

All the men dance like diamonds
In the back room beauties
Will compare their flowers
And he pulls on the mattress
I am soft for the season
I look up and you’re leaving
And I’m out in the hallway
Where I work on my bloodline

https://www.instagram.com/gemclub
https://www.iamgemclub.com/

"Aperture" by Gem Club

I am so excited that Gem Club (the nom de musique of Chris Barnes, previously here) is releasing a new album titled "Emerald Press" on April 17, 2026. This song "Aperture" is the first single. Achingly glorious as usual, Chris!

https://www.instagram.com/gemclub
https://www.iamgemclub.com/

"Garlands" by Gem Club

I am so pleased that Chris Barnes of Gem Club has released a new song, "Garlands" and it is as beautiful and moving as all his other pieces. His IG hints of more to come...I can't wait.

https://www.instagram.com/gemclub

"Tend" by Gem Club

Thrilled and surprised...Gem Club (the nom de musique of Christopher Barnes, previously here) has released a new song, "Tend." Listen to this soft, angelic track below. I can only hope this might mean a complete album is on the way.

Although we've never met, somehow you sing my life in your songs (especially "Soft Season"). We've missed you and your exquisite music, Christopher!

Tend to me for tonight
I am a fool
Rest your head on my chest
But you left the room
I’m the one with the grace
To let you move

Tend to me for tonight
I can’t return
Lift your eyes up to mine
From across the room

Are you safe in the night love
Are we still apart

With no forgiveness
You’re not stopping now
Finally on something else
Sweet and light

https://www.iamgemclub.com/
https://www.instagram.com/gemclub

"Spirit & Decline" by Gem Club

Wow, I am so glad to hear some new music from Gem Club, the nom de musique of Christopher Barnes (previously here). This new track "Spirit & Decline" is just tremblingly, agonizingly beautiful. Although the song has apparently been around for a little while, he just officially released it earlier this year and I am really hoping this means a new full release is on the horizon.

hushed among the bells
the arrow struck your shoulder
forced to the ground
with the shredded pulp
of red apples

and you're near
your hands are touching hands
and you're near
the violence swells with its song
i am starting to lose focus
the distance in decline
while i'm watching your spirit

rise

watched for the point
when you'd wake from it
with the sun against your back

http://iamgemclub.com/

"Soft Season" by Gem Club

This glorious, agonizingly beautiful song--"Soft Season" by American modern chamber pop trio Gem Club (Christopher Barnes, Kristen Drymala, and Ieva Berberian, previously here)--makes me swoon... and the narrative sounds like a memory from my younger years.

Muscle shakes up against the wall
White waves in his mouth
He twists into a snake
He has all the time that he needs
And the eyes in the place
For as long as it lasts
I’m a boy on my back
And I’m more of a man

Might try to hurt me
Might try to love me too much

All the men dance like diamonds
In the back room beauties
Will compare their flowers
And he pulls on the mattress
I am soft for the season
I look up and you’re leaving
And I’m out in the hallway
Where I work on my bloodline

And for proof, here is a stunning live version.

http://iamgemclub.com/

The Poetry of Rock n' Roll: "Red Arrow"

To observe National Poetry Month, once a week I am featuring lyrics of contemporary, rock n' roll, or pop songs that also double as exquisite poetry (previously here).

Gem Club is a trio formed in 2009 by singer-songwriter Christopher Barnes. Their contemplative, piano-based sound lends itself to a literary feel, and Barnes makes sure that feeling is reinforced with lovely lyrics. Take a look at a little song called "Red Arrow"...

"Red Arrow"
by Gem Club

i watched you as you slept
red arrows fell around us
and before the sea came in
i knew you were the one
we are turning in the circle of the sun
we are falling into our new forms
i feel light i feel sent
catch me racing

http://iamgemclub.com/

"I Heard The Party" and "Hypericum" by Gem Club

Emotionally expansive, delicate, trembling... Gem Club sing the devastating "I Heard The Party" from their 2011 "Breakers" release.

"with a mouth full of fresh flowers
you woke up the neighbors
no one could have told you
your body would fail you
silent as the star
it broke you like a song
i heard the party's here
have i only come to
watch through your window
float up through the ceiling
softly escaping
drag you to the ground
you stood there alone
i heard the party's here"

And from their just-released album "In Roses," here is the stunning "Hypericum."

http://iamgemclub.com/