Changing settings: Of Montreal's move to another city inspired new music

Stepping out on tour to promote an album is something Kevin Barnes looks forward to each time they hit the road.

“It’s always fun,” said Barnes, who is the brainchild behind the alternative rock outfit, of Montreal. “It’s always good to change the pace of my normal life and get to see my best friends and tour around with them.”

Of Montreal makes a stop at Sister with Tele Novella and Train Conductor at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 23.

Its recently released “Lady on the Cusp” was created prior to Barnes’ relocation to southern Vermont from Athens, Georgia.

The song, “Rude Girl on Rotation,” was inspired by the move. The folk-infused song expresses a feeling of oppression caused by living in a neo-Puritanical culture, while mentally escaping through thoughts of lush forests in Vermont and the hope of finding socio-political possibilities by relocating there.

“That one was kind of different from the record in that it’s only like three instruments or something and some overdubbing,” Barnes said.

He said the result created a sense of many layers to the song’s overall sound. The song also exudes sounds from the 1960s, which is one of Barnes’ favorite time periods for music that he pulls inspiration from.

“I used an open tuning on guitar that Nick Drake used a lot on his jammers,” Barnes said in a statement. “The bass line chugs along in a late ‘60’s West Coast rocker style, influenced by Canned Heat’s ‘Poor Moon.’ I wanted the song to sound loose and under-produced. It took the least amount of time to record of all the songs on the album.”

Barnes said there was no agenda or vision going into writing “Lady on the Cusp.” The album unfolded musically and lyrically through experimentation while Barnes and partner and musician Christina Schneider prepared to relocate to Vermont.

The 10 song album also features the song “Yung Hearts Bleed Free,” an upbeat, synth forward, art rock song with a playful spirit. Its video, which can be found on YouTube, is directed and animated by Madeline Babuka Black and was inspired by Larry Jordan’s experimental animations, including his 1968 film “Our Lady of the Sphere.”

Barnes takes on the brunt of the production duties when putting together an album. “Lady on the Cusp” is of Montreal’s 19th full-length album.

“It’s kind of a tedious process but it’s like a labor of love,” Barnes said. “But I guess it doesn’t really feel tedious because I enjoy it and I like the production (part) and I spend a lot of time methodically ... I get so immersed in it, so engaged, that often I’ve just spent so many hours working on it that day that I have to say, ‘Okay, I’m done.’ “

Barnes looks forward to showcasing the new music to Albuquerque fans. Attendees can expect another entertaining stage show with the theatrics of Montreal is known for.

“We’re excited,” Barnes said of playing at Sister. “We always have a great time in Albuquerque.”