MK Barnes is a singer-songwriter based in Athens, Georgia, originally from the small, rural town of Union Point. With a warm, honest approach to lyrics, MK writes songs that are grounded in memory, place, and the quiet complexities of every day life.
Her new album, laissez faire, is available now. Check it out on your streaming platform of choice!
MK Barnes isn’t just a small-town girl from the woods of North Georgia—she comes from generations rooted in farm country, tradition, family, and duty. That deep heritage shines through in her music.
Her sound is best described as Folk Americana—a North Georgia-meets-Nanci Griffith vibe, with the sweetness and clarity of Ella Fitzgerald. Her influences are clear and include Sarah and Maybelle Carter, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Elizabeth Cotten, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and old-time traditional country & folk. Still, MK's voice is distinctly her own—instantly recognizable and wholly original.
MK is a true storyteller whose songs entertain, move, and inspire. With a blend of innovation and reverence for tradition, she delivers a voice and perspective that are both fresh and timeless. One listen, and you'll hear why she stands out.
New album available now!
“MK Barnes’ uncomplicated folk-Americana acoustic arrangements and plain-language delivery are the hallmarks of her new album laissez faire. This is an 11-song collection of deeply personal songwriting that, even while stark in its heartache and self-actualization, never slips into cynicism or irony. This lack of protective emotional cover results in the feeling of having been let into a secret world where MK is largely speaking to herself but graciously allows you to listen.”
Upcoming Shows
Thursdays
6PM
Open Mic cohosted with Adam Poulin and Joe Willey - on the Deck of the Marigold Auditorium (Winterville, GA)
6.20
Athfest
With Adam Poulin
The Globe
$10, Free with Wristband
(Athens, GA)
Lyrics in motion
Check out MK’s latest videos on YouTube.
Warning Label
Ever have one of those days, where if someone asks you how you’re doing, you can’t even muster an “I’m OK.” You’re just trying not to drown, trying not to go down.
Downtown Lights
A tender ballad of nostalgia and memory, reflecting on life in downtown Athens—then and now—as the warm glow of old streetlights fades into harsh white bulbs.
Mixed Signals
A modern heartbreak song rooted in old-time imagery, Mixed Signals weaves the confusion of dating with the static of a broken phone line—disconnected calls, crossed wires, and unclear intentions.