During his 20+ year military career, British Army Veteran Preston D Barnes served as part of the The Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers as well as an Instructor at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall to train over 400 soldiers in Military skills and ceremonial duties prior to his deployment to the Chemical Decontamination Unit (COLPRO) in Iraq, where they treated over 2500 casualties in 93 days as well as continuing peace keeping duties. Following his 2017 retirement from the military, Barnes continued to follow his love of music, auditioning and landing a spot on Ricky Wilson’s team on The Voice UK.
Five years later, Barnes made his official entrance onto the UK Country scene, and what an entrance it has been. In the last 16 months, he has released 8 successful singles, including 4 that topped the iTunes Country Charts, was nominated Best UK Male Vocalist for UKCountryRadio.com Awards, and is currently working on his debut solo album via Sonic Boom Records. Today he is premiering the video for his latest single “Heart Breaks Better That Way” exclusively with The Country Note.
While breaking-up is never easy, sometimes saying what’s honestly on your mind – even if it can be hurtful – can help the two parties move on. It’s that tug-of-war of “wanting and not wanting to hear it” feeling that “Heart Breaks Better That Way” centers on:
It’s not me, it’s you, it’s words you say
Need some time, you need a place
To find yourself, somewhere else
Being careful pick your words
It only makes the cut feel worse
Cause a sweet goodbye, is still goodbye
Sugar coating, you’re still going
I wish you’d slam that door, tell me I’m crazy
If you don’t love me no more, go on and hate me
Say what you mean, mean what you say
A heart breaks better that way
“This song is a story, a story of a breakup and heartache and something which really will relate to every listener in some way or other,” says Barnes. “Cutting this song was like creating a Patchwork blanket, everything fell into place at the right time and the final listening experience is exactly what we wanted it to be!”
Barnes is joined by Oregon native Moriah Domby, who also co-wrote the track with Stephen Hunley and Nick Halsted. Domby’s vocals adds a nice contrast to Barnes slightly gritty tone as the two bring this break-up track to life in song and on video.
“Working with Stormlightpictures in a city I have dreamed about creating music in for so many years was nothing short of ‘Incredible’,” explains Barnes. “Driving a 1960’s Mustang round the streets of Nashville and creating music with Moriah Domby, an established Singer/Songwriter from Music City made the whole process a dream come true! She really is superb!”
Watch the exclusive video premiere of “Heart Breaks Better That Way” below:
For more information on Preston D Barnes, visit his website www.prestondbarnes.com and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.