Barnes, who currently resides in the Washington, D.C., area, already has released one track, “Bartender Make Me A Memory.” The song, an acoustic ode to college nightlife, features his folk/pop style and is a snapshot of what he referred to as “the best times in your life.”

The State News spoke with Barnes about his influences, inspirations and life after college.

The State News Where did you get the inspiration for the title “Fire & Revolution?”

Scott Barnes Usually my projects have been named after a line in a song I was writing or the song title itself. But this whole concept started with the EP; it was the first time I had the project name first. A lot of people think it’s strange when they hear the title, but to me ‘Fire & Revolution’ is about a new day to take a chance or a new day for someone to take a chance on you.

SN Why did you decide to record this EP?

SB As I got older and out in the real world working a real job, someone asked me what I wanted to be doing. For me, it’s music, it consumes my mind.

SN Do you like playing with a band or alone?

SB It’s fun playing onstage with other guys, sharing the experience. There’s a lot you can do with a band. On the other hand, I like playing onstage by myself. I can totally change a song right on the fly. Right now I would say I like the solo side of things more.

SN Who are your influences for musical sound?

SB Going back to Paul Simon, Elvis working up to current guys like John Mayer, Dave Matthews and Howie Day. My musical side is focused on those kind of guitar players … and their kind of style.

SN What inspired “Bartender Make Me a Memory?”

SB “Bartender Make Me a Memory” is a song that everybody who goes to college, especially MSU, can relate to. It’s one of those songs where it’s five years out of college and you think “Hey, I miss those days, I miss those weeknights when there was nothing holding us back.” We went and did what we wanted. We made stupid decisions but we worked through it. I don’t know how, but we worked through it. You look back on it and realize those are the best times in your life. Times may be good now, but you can never go back to college. The whole time I thought about good times with my friends and parties at the bar and the song just came out.

SN Favorite East Lansing venue?

SB Mac’s Bar was always a fun place to play. They had a great sound system. The Landshark was a good time too. I had a fun time playing there. A year ago, I opened for a guy named Teddy Geiger at Mac’s Bar and that one was sold out before I had even got there. Hundreds of people were outside waiting to get in. That definitely stands
out. Any venue where the place is packed before you even get onstage is a good one. I’ve had a few shows like that in D.C. and a few years ago in New York, but the Teddy Geiger show was the highlight.

SN What are you hobbies? What do you do for fun?

SB Get back to East Lansing as much as possible. Get back for football games. With an actual full-time career and recording this EP, really most of my time is focused on music. With the exception of college football, it’s all music, all the time.