What if the world isn’t quite what it seems? What if every note, every word, every bassline is just another doorway to a deeper truth? Barbe A Papa, the sonic alter ego of Nick Johnson, has been chasing these questions across time and space—from the windswept plains of Lethbridge AB, to the misty shores of Tofino BC, the rugged peaks of Nelson BC, to the sunburnt horizons of Perth, Australia.

For the past decade, he has woven traditional folk and bluegrass with the unexpected weight of synth-driven bass, crafting a sound that feels both rooted in the past and reaching into the unknown. Influenced by the raw storytelling of The Avett Brothers, the groove of Dub FX and Frase, and the electronic soul of Moontricks and Goopsteppa, his music carves out a space where nostalgia and innovation collide.

From hosting open mics at the Waterton Lakes Opera House to sharing stages with Ryland Moranz, Petunia and the Vipers, Jordan Hart, and Vince Vaccaro, Barbe A Papa has made a home on the road, turning every venue into a moment of connection. His lyrics, steeped in folk tradition yet tinged with existential wonder, ask the kind of questions that linger long after the song fades.

It all started with a single guitar—gifted by his grandfather, who was unimpressed with his addiction to Guitar Hero. That first real chord struck something deeper, something truer. He never looked back.

So here’s the question: If music is the language of the universe, what is it trying to say? Maybe you’ll find the answer in the space between the notes. Or maybe, like Barbe A Papa, you’ll just keep searching.