Minnesota-based string band Barbaro have been selected to take part in the 2022-23 season of the American Music Abroad (AMA) program. The AMA is an initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State in which U.S. musicians are selected to represent characteristically American music genres by bringing that music to more than 140 countries around the world. The genres typically represented in the AMA include Americana, blues, bluegrass, Cajun, country, folk, Latin, Native American, gospel, hip hop, indie rock, jazz, punk, R&B, and zydeco.

Barbaro, with a sound that combines bluegrass, jazz and chamber music influences, seem solid candidates for such a program. “We had some friends who have done the program in the past,” explains Barbaro guitarist Kyle Shelstad, “and they encouraged us to apply for it.”

Shelstad says he and his Barbaro bandmates were among an untold number of artists who applied, and from those applicants, 400 were invited for an audition and interview. “Pre-COVID, it would be you’d have to fly out to Washington, D.C.,” Shelstad says, “but we were able to just do it over Zoom.”

During the 15-minute interview, the members of Barbaro were asked many questions about societal, social and cultural issues, as well as pragmatic questions about how they adapt in situations where a gig might not go as planned, or where equipment needs don’t quite meet expectations. “We ended up apparently doing all right with the interview,” Shelstad says; from that pool of 400 interviewees, Barbaro are among the 10 finalists selected to be ambassadors of the United States and its music.

Shelstad says Barbaro have not yet been told specifically when or where they’ll be traveling, other than it will happen sometime between January and May of 2023. “They will send out messages to a bunch of countries that they’re really interested in developing conversations with and trying to build better relationships with, and then set up these tours that go on for about three weeks,” Shelstad explains.

“I think that what I’m most excited about is connecting with different people,” Shelstad continues, adding he’s undaunted by language barriers. “Whenever I would travel, I would communicate through food — just eat anything the everything. And so it’ll be cool to use music as an opportunity to develop relationships with new people and to learn.”

Shelstad adds the concerts that take place in the host countries often involve collaborating with local musicians, an experience he says he hopes will help him and his bandmates grow and develop further as musicians.

The other artists chosen for the American Music Abroad program are country singer Ashley Campbell (also the daughter of the late Glen Campbell); women’s hip hop collective Rhyme Like a Girl; Grammy-nominated ukulele virtuoso Daniel Ho; blues, jazz, gospel and soul group Oscar Williams and the Band of Life; contemporary a cappella trio Pipeline Vocal Project; New York jazz ensemble the Caili O’Doherty Quintet; folk, pop, blues and gospel unit Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band; contemporary jazz, soul and R&B duo Sounds of A&R, aka S.O.A.R.; and New York City five-piece beatbox crew, Beatbox House.

“It’s a really cool program,” Shelstad says. “And we are thrilled, honestly, to be a part of it. … And to be a federal employee, you know, that’s a new thing for all of us.”

Barbaro recently wrapped a series of shows in California. They’ll be touring across the United States in July, including a stop at the Turf Club in St. Paul on Friday, July 8.

External Links

Barbaro - official site

American Music Abroad - official site

U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs - official site