Career Timeline of Courtney Barnett: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Courtney Barnett built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Courtney Barnett is an Australian singer-songwriter and musician celebrated for her distinctive deadpan vocal delivery and clever, rambling lyrics. She gained initial recognition with her debut EP, 'I've Got a Friend Called Emily Ferris' in 2012. Her international breakthrough came with the release of 'The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas' in 2013, which solidified her position as a significant figure in contemporary indie rock.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2010: Joins Rapid Transit

In 2010, Courtney Barnett played second guitar in the Melbourne grunge band Rapid Transit.

2011: Joins Immigrant Union

In 2011, Courtney Barnett became a member of the Australian psych-country band Immigrant Union.

2011: Rapid Transit Album & Giles Field Collaboration

In 2011, Courtney Barnett's band Rapid Transit released a self-titled album on cassette. Also in late 2011, Barnett featured on Giles Field's track "I Can't Hear You, We're Breaking Up" as well as co-writing the song.

2012: Debut EP Release

In 2012, Courtney Barnett released her debut EP, "I've Got a Friend Called Emily Ferris", attracting initial attention.

2012: First EP release on Milk! Records

In 2012, Courtney Barnett's first EP, "I've Got a Friend called Emily Ferris" appeared on her own label, Milk! Records.

August 2013: Release of 'The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas'

In August 2013, Marathon Artists released "The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas", a combined package of Courtney Barnett's first and second EPs. The lead single "Avant Gardener" received critical acclaim.

2013: Features on Immigrant Union's Album

In 2013, Courtney Barnett featured on Immigrant Union's second studio album, "Anyway", sharing vocal duties and playing slide guitar.

2013: International Recognition with 'The Double EP'

In 2013, Courtney Barnett gained international interest with the release of her compilation album, "The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas".

April 2014: Recording Debut Album

In April 2014, Courtney Barnett recorded her upcoming album with Burke Reid.

January 2015: Album Details and Single Releases

On 30 January 2015, Courtney Barnett released details about her upcoming album, along with two singles, "Pedestrian at Best" and "Depreston", and accompanying music videos.

March 2015: Debut Album Worldwide Release

On 23 March 2015, Courtney Barnett's debut album "Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit" was released worldwide, accompanied by tours.

August 2015: Global Guerilla Campaign for 'Nobody Really Cares'

In August 2015, Courtney Barnett's label launched a global guerilla campaign for the release of her single "Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go to the Party", featuring billboards and a surprise busking gig.

2015: Debut Studio Album Release

In 2015, Courtney Barnett released her debut studio album, "Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit", to widespread acclaim. She also won four ARIA Music Awards from eight nominations in 2015.

2015: Band Configuration Changes

In 2015, Dan Luscombe, who often played lead guitar and keyboards for Courtney Barnett, was not available for tours, leading to the band performing as a trio and Barnett referring to the band as "CB3".

January 2016: Happy Mag Cover

In January 2016, Courtney Barnett appeared on the cover of the Australian music magazine, Happy Mag.

May 2016: Saturday Night Live Appearance

On 21 May 2016, Courtney Barnett was the musical guest on the season finale of Saturday Night Live's 41st season.

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June 2017: North American Tour Announcement

In June 2017, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile announced a North American tour, backed by the Sea Lice band.

August 30, 2017: Release of 'Over Everything'

On August 30, 2017, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile released "Over Everything", the lead single from their collaborative album Lotta Sea Lice, accompanied by a music video.

September 2017: Release of 'Continental Breakfast'

In September 2017, Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile released "Continental Breakfast", the second single from their collaborative album Lotta Sea Lice.

2017: Collaborative Album Release

In 2017, Courtney Barnett released "Lotta Sea Lice", a collaborative album with Kurt Vile.

February 2018: New Album Teaser

In February 2018, Courtney Barnett teased a new album on her social media accounts, ending with the tagline "Tell Me How You Really Feel".

April 2018: Album Launch at Lansdowne Hotel

In April 2018, Courtney Barnett launched her sophomore solo album at a private function at Sydney's Lansdowne Hotel.

May 2018: Release of 'Tell Me How You Really Feel'

On 18 May 2018, Courtney Barnett released her album "Tell Me How You Really Feel".

2018: Second Solo Album Release

In 2018, Courtney Barnett released her second solo album, "Tell Me How You Really Feel", to further acclaim.

2019: Woodstock 50 Cancellation

In 2019, Courtney Barnett was added to the bill of Woodstock 50, but the festival was ultimately cancelled.

December 2020: Documentary Announced

In December 2020, NME reported that a documentary titled Anonymous Club exploring "the inner life of the notoriously shy [Barnett] amidst her significant rise to fame" was in the works.

July 2021: Release of 'Rae Street'

On 7 July 2021, Courtney Barnett released "Rae Street", the lead single from her third studio album.

August 2021: Anonymous Club Premieres

In August 2021, the film Anonymous Club premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

November 2021: Release of 'Things Take Time, Take Time'

In November 2021, Courtney Barnett released her album, "Things Take Time, Take Time".

2021: Release of Anonymous Club documentary

In 2021, the album "End of the Day" featured on the 2021 documentary, Anonymous Club.

July 2022: Supporting the Rolling Stones

On 3 July 2022, Courtney Barnett supported the Rolling Stones at their concert in Hyde Park, London.

July 2023: Milk! Records to Close

In July 2023, Courtney Barnett confirmed that Milk! Records will be disestablished at the end of 2023, after 12 years.

2025: Release of "Stay in Your Lane"

In October of 2025, Courtney Barnett released her first new music video and vocal single in two years, "Stay in Your Lane" - which was later performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.