‘I’m not that person anymore’: New album marks a fresh chapter for the rock icon
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Reinvention isn’t easy, especially when the past refuses to stay buried.
For one of Australia’s most iconic rockers, redemption has been a years-long journey of struggle, reflection, and change.
Now, as he steps back into the spotlight, his latest project offers a powerful glimpse into that transformation, weaving together music, memories, and a message of resilience.
Jimmy Barnes has spent decades working to become a better man, determined to leave behind the demons of addiction and trauma that once defined him.
At 68, he has openly shared his struggles in his memoirs, detailing a life shaped by poverty and domestic violence, and the battle to overcome their lasting effects.
That ongoing journey takes centre stage in ‘New Day’, his latest single.
It marks the first step in relaunching his solo career after serious health challenges and a milestone 50th-anniversary tour.
Barnes has announced that his new album, Defiant, will be released in June, followed by a national theatre tour.
Reflecting on his personal growth, he said, ‘I’m happy with myself. But if I do something wrong now, I don’t let it ruin my life…I look at it and work out how to fix this and move ahead. Every day I do that.’
He admitted that tough conversations with his wife, Jane, sometimes require him to remind her: ‘I’m not that person anymore’, adding, ‘You’re not talking to the same guy anymore. I’m here now. I’m present and I’m listening, you know?’
For the ‘New Day’ music video, Barnes and director Paul van Kan crafted a visual metaphor of a man repairing a car.
It symbolises the process of self-repair after years of self-medication and relationship struggles.
Barnes immediately thought of his close friend Troy Cassar-Daley for the role, with Cassar-Daley’s wife, radio announcer Laurel Edwards, joining as his co-star.
‘Working on the car is like working on yourself,’ Barnes explained.
‘I picked Troy because he’s always getting in trouble for spending so much money on the car, or guitars.’
Barnes and Cassar-Daley have been friends for over 20 years, performing together on several occasions, including at the 2005 Golden Guitar Awards.
The new album is deeply personal, packed with love songs for Jane, his wife of 43 years, who was once again by his side during his recovery from hip surgery.
‘There’s a lot of love songs; there’s a lot of love in my life. Writing about Jane…she’s such a complex, incredible girl and there’s times when I just sit and I think, how the hell did I get so lucky, you know, to meet Jane?’ he said.
One of those tracks, ‘Beyond the River Bend’, was written from his study in the NSW Southern Highlands, overlooking the Wingecarribee River.
‘Sometimes I look at that river and it reminds me of me and Jane. Sometimes it’s sort of dark and menacing and gushing and crashing into the banks and other times, it’s calm and peaceful. Sometimes it’s murky, sometimes it’s crystal clear, you know?’ he said.
‘But it’s always moving and that’s what love and relationships are like, they’re always changing.’
To build anticipation for the album, Barnes enlisted friends—including Cassar-Daley and The Cruel Sea—to wear Defiant T-shirts in their social media posts.
His national tour is set to begin on 7 June at the AEC Theatre in Adelaide.
It will continue at the Riverside Theatre in Perth on 8 June, the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on 14 June, and Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on 21 June.
The tour will then head to the State Theatre in Sydney on 27 June before concluding at the Canberra Theatre on 28 June.
Frontier Members have early access to tickets from 11:00 am local time on 26 February.
General sales open at 10:00 am on 28 February via frontiertouring.com/jimmybarnes.
In a previous story, we explored the emotional farewell of some of the biggest names in heavy metal as they united for one last concert.
This star-studded event brought fans together for an unforgettable night.
If you missed it, make sure to check it out now.
With decades of music and reinvention behind him, how do you think Defiant will compare to Jimmy Barnes' past albums? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
For one of Australia’s most iconic rockers, redemption has been a years-long journey of struggle, reflection, and change.
Now, as he steps back into the spotlight, his latest project offers a powerful glimpse into that transformation, weaving together music, memories, and a message of resilience.
Jimmy Barnes has spent decades working to become a better man, determined to leave behind the demons of addiction and trauma that once defined him.
At 68, he has openly shared his struggles in his memoirs, detailing a life shaped by poverty and domestic violence, and the battle to overcome their lasting effects.
That ongoing journey takes centre stage in ‘New Day’, his latest single.
Jimmy Barnes’ journey of redemption unfolds in ‘New Day’. Image source: Instagram/jimmybarnesofficial
It marks the first step in relaunching his solo career after serious health challenges and a milestone 50th-anniversary tour.
Barnes has announced that his new album, Defiant, will be released in June, followed by a national theatre tour.
Reflecting on his personal growth, he said, ‘I’m happy with myself. But if I do something wrong now, I don’t let it ruin my life…I look at it and work out how to fix this and move ahead. Every day I do that.’
He admitted that tough conversations with his wife, Jane, sometimes require him to remind her: ‘I’m not that person anymore’, adding, ‘You’re not talking to the same guy anymore. I’m here now. I’m present and I’m listening, you know?’
For the ‘New Day’ music video, Barnes and director Paul van Kan crafted a visual metaphor of a man repairing a car.
It symbolises the process of self-repair after years of self-medication and relationship struggles.
Barnes immediately thought of his close friend Troy Cassar-Daley for the role, with Cassar-Daley’s wife, radio announcer Laurel Edwards, joining as his co-star.
‘Working on the car is like working on yourself,’ Barnes explained.
‘I picked Troy because he’s always getting in trouble for spending so much money on the car, or guitars.’
Barnes and Cassar-Daley have been friends for over 20 years, performing together on several occasions, including at the 2005 Golden Guitar Awards.
The new album is deeply personal, packed with love songs for Jane, his wife of 43 years, who was once again by his side during his recovery from hip surgery.
‘There’s a lot of love songs; there’s a lot of love in my life. Writing about Jane…she’s such a complex, incredible girl and there’s times when I just sit and I think, how the hell did I get so lucky, you know, to meet Jane?’ he said.
One of those tracks, ‘Beyond the River Bend’, was written from his study in the NSW Southern Highlands, overlooking the Wingecarribee River.
‘Sometimes I look at that river and it reminds me of me and Jane. Sometimes it’s sort of dark and menacing and gushing and crashing into the banks and other times, it’s calm and peaceful. Sometimes it’s murky, sometimes it’s crystal clear, you know?’ he said.
‘But it’s always moving and that’s what love and relationships are like, they’re always changing.’
To build anticipation for the album, Barnes enlisted friends—including Cassar-Daley and The Cruel Sea—to wear Defiant T-shirts in their social media posts.
His national tour is set to begin on 7 June at the AEC Theatre in Adelaide.
It will continue at the Riverside Theatre in Perth on 8 June, the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on 14 June, and Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane on 21 June.
The tour will then head to the State Theatre in Sydney on 27 June before concluding at the Canberra Theatre on 28 June.
Frontier Members have early access to tickets from 11:00 am local time on 26 February.
General sales open at 10:00 am on 28 February via frontiertouring.com/jimmybarnes.
In a previous story, we explored the emotional farewell of some of the biggest names in heavy metal as they united for one last concert.
This star-studded event brought fans together for an unforgettable night.
If you missed it, make sure to check it out now.
With decades of music and reinvention behind him, how do you think Defiant will compare to Jimmy Barnes' past albums? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
