ROBIN BARNES
mom about town
AND PERSONAL LIFE? ROBIN: I’ve learned to stop striving for balance, but striving for seasons. I’m about to enter the festival season and I have an album coming out. So I might be busier at the studio, but I’m the first person they see when they wake up and go to sleep. That makes me feel like I can do my job, because I know my girls are good. And I’m really grateful to have help. Festival season is tough, but luckily, their grandparents are amazing. My husband and I work together, but we have to actively go on dates because we recognized we weren’t making time for the two of us. We decided to have “Tuesday time.”We don’t talk about work, music, or kids; just about how we feel, things we want to do, and things that are exciting, not stressful. ADVICE FOR MOMS READY TO GO FOR IT? ROBIN: Wanting to do it is the first step, and starting to do it is the next. But going from one step to the next is huge. I put a lot of pressure on myself; most moms do when we feel like we’re not doing everything right. I think pursuing your career is one of the most beautiful things you can do for your children. It’s something that is a challenge and not going to be perfect. But it is possible. Find friends that believe in you, and lean on them. DO YOU HAVE ANY FAMILY TRADITIONS? ROBIN: In my family, everything’s passed down from eldest daughter to eldest daughter through our oral storytelling—over nine generations in Louisiana. Because I have daughters now, they’re going to be the next generation of stewardship for our family and our culture. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? ROBIN: I am really excited about my new album. It’s inspired by my family history and my heritage, but it’s something that’s for all of us. It’s an album about celebrating life while also paying a beautiful tribute to our culture, and bridging the gap between New Orleans and Louisiana. Everything is so intentional. I can confidently say that someone’s favorite song is on this album.
Husband: Casey Occupation: Singer, songwriter, and founder of Move Ya Brass fitness and lifestyle movement Children: Two daughters Hobbies: Singing and golfing
PHOTO BY CHANSEY AUGUSTINE.
BY MADELINE PISTORIUS
M eet “The Songbird of New Orleans,” Robin Barnes, a multi-award winning and charting singer and songwriter. As a New Orleans native, Barnes creates songs that preserve and pass down culture to the next generation. Her new album, Louisiana Love , reflects both her roots and her heart to keeping those traditions alive. When she’s not in the studio or performing on stages, Barnes is at home with her husband and daughters, embracing the same traditions that shaped her. WHAT DREW YOU TO MUSIC? ROBIN: My entire family is in music. My dad plays bass, my brothers play instruments, and we all performed in church. My first solo performance was when I was six years old, and I had to sing “How Great Thou Art” at my church. Seeing how moved people were by my performance struck something in me that made me want to continue doing this— something that makes people be present and in the moment, and brings me joy. MOST EXCITING CAREER MOMENT? ROBIN: I had a manager tell me that a little girl from the Lower Ninth Ward could never get on the Billboard charts. I ended up charting with my EP. I am an advocate for believing in yourself despite people telling you no. I live my truth, and I really like to think that I’m inspiring the next person to follow
their dreams—especially my girls. As a mom, I give my all to this career, because I want them to know that if they choose something that everyone thinks is just a dream, they can do it and they can follow their dreams. ARE YOUR KIDS INTERESTED IN MUSIC? ROBIN: My eldest daughter has perfect pitch. She sits at a piano, and whatever song she hears, she plays it. I joke and say that my eldest is probably going to be the piano player, and my youngest—she’s probably going to be like that animal that plays drums from The Muppets . They love music, and they’re excited about understanding what I’m doing, which is a big deal to me. WHAT DOES FAMILY TIME LOOK LIKE? ROBIN: I perform at night, so it’s important to me that I’m the first thing that they see in the morning and also the last person they see at night. My husband and I make sure that we always read a book to them and sing with them as they fall asleep. I love that at the end of the day we are always together. I grew up dancing with my mom in the living room, and I realize I do that now—we have dance parties before bedtime, where we just get all that energy out. We’re also really into crafting and themes. I have so many little trinkets, decorations, and glitter. We love to have fun.
QUICK Q’S: My pre-show ritual is… drinking three cups of tea and watching Housewives to ease my nerves. My favorite date activites are… walks in City Park, snowballs from Pandora’s, or beignets from Café Du Monde. My musical influences are… Irma Thomas, Tina Turner, and Ella Fitzgerald.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR CAREER
10 MAY 2026 | NOLAFAMILY.COM
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