Collider: Your album is named after the song,Where the Light Gets In.
How many songs had you written before that song?
Had you been thinking of other titles before choosing that one?
BEN BARNES: I had been thinking of other titles that were more connected with the experience of relationships.
It all feels a little bit stolen and precious, in that way.
And then, when you release them, they become about the people that are listening to them.
Image via Wanda Martin
So, I didnt want it to necessarily be about my experiences, once they were released.
I always thought about that because Im someone who worries about small things that I shouldnt.
I just feel like thats all of us who are over 18.
Its all of us who have been through anything, which is everyone.
I realized a lot of the songs were thematically in that vein.
Rather than something dark and sinister, it could be something bright.
I was hitting that point around the time of writing this, so thats where it came from.
Do you just start compiling songs until you realize you have an entire album?
And then, doing some of the touring, I just really didnt want it to end.
My vocation is acting.
I love telling stories in that way.
But this is another way of storytelling, and it allows me to have my own creative outlet.
Image via Wanda Martin
Id been writing a few more songs.
Probably enough for another EP, but not enough for an album.
And then, I thought it would be good to do a full album.
BARNES: Of course, yeah.
I feel like that with my acting stuff, as well.
Its a photo album.
BARNES: Of course.
But do I even really want things to be different?
Im a very, very, very fortunate man.
Who was the first person you played these songs for, and what was their reaction?
From what hes played me, its gonna be brilliant and I support him.
I know hes gonna give it some positive feedback, which will encourage me to move forward.
Is there anyone you intentionally go to for the tough feedback that you feel you need?
BARNES: Thats the musicians themselves.
They support me in such an incredible way, with their skill and their passion.
Theyre so supportive and wonderful.
I care about all the people whove played with me and for me.
I love a very stripped-down song, and I feel like Far Too Soon has that quality.
It felt like it was just for me, really.
BARNES: Im very deliberate when Im plotting a character.
Im also very deliberate when Im putting a song together.
Sometimes they accept that collaboration, and sometimes they dont.
It depends on how strongly youve made your argument, I suppose.
Its the similarities in my deliberate nature, rather than in the storytelling.
Some of it is on purpose, but some of it is infused.
Shadow and Bone will be returning on March 16th.
Some people write in diaries.
I dont, really.
I dont like writing things down in prose.
It doesnt ever feel very natural to me.
But for a lot of people I know, its very helpful.
There are a million ways to reflect and to share, Im sure.
Thats what you do with music, you share it.
Does it feel much more personal in that sense?
BARNES: It absolutely feels more personal.
But it depends on the day and the venue and the audience.
We have that in social situations all the time.
Its working towards that acceptance where you feel like youre doing what youre supposed to be doing.
Thats the best feeling.
You translate it for yourself.
And so, you might tell a lot about someone by what they choose to share.
From fantasy heroes to Marvel villains, Ben Barnes has fire off the gamut of genre entertainment.
What advice would you give the cast of that movie?
BARNES: Advice that I got at the time was to just enjoy the adventure.
I dont expect a cast coming into it now as kids to have grown up necessarily with theNarniabooks.
But for me, it was very special for that reason.
Itll fall into place, or it wont.
Itll capture peoples hearts and imaginations, or it wont.
So, I wouldnt deign to offer any advice on how to portray the characters or anything.
If the opportunity were to arise, would you be interested in doing a role in it?
I dont know what that would be.
I could do a voice.
If anybody could come up with something interesting, Greta Gerwig certainly could.
BARNES: Thats so true.
I could do a Mr. Tumnus or I could voice Reeipcheep the mouse, or something.
Its not a phone call Ive received yet.
Youve played a lot of antagonists in your acting career.
When are we going to get the romantic comedy and/or musical era of your work?
BARNES: Soon, I hope.
Im making my own little rom-coms in my music videos.
Im playing a very, very good man in this new Stephen King show,The Institute.
I was really excited to play someone who just has a real sense of decency about them.
Hopefully, Ill do something musical, or something light and fun.
Im trying to get it out there.
BARNES: I like modern-day stuff.
Its just that telephones and texting make things very difficult.
Thats why the golden age of the 80s and early 90s were so fantastic for rom-coms.
That sort of thoughtful rom-com is definitely something I want to do in my life, at some point.
I just need someone to send me a script that works.
Where the Light Gets Inis now available.
Check out the music video for “One More Minute”:
