Phase Two

Now happily married, but still channeling sweet sorrow in her lovely lyrics, one of Houston’s coolest crooners is ready for a big year.

Julie Soefer
For-Web
For-Web

THE PAST FEW MONTHS have been busy — and happy — ones for Haley Lynch née Barnes, 26, who’s destined to be a major player in the local music scene in 2017. Her first full-length album under the moniker of Dollie Barnes, a ’60s- and ’70s-inspired indie-rock band, dropped this January. And that’s just the beginning.


The former Buxton member has also gotten hitched to her longtime bandmate Tom Lynch — who plays guitar in Dollie Barnes alongside a rotating cast of top-tier local musicians that includes members of Robert Ellis’ backing band — and helped finish recording an album for Vodi, a new indie-rock band her husband fronts. In the latter, she plays guitar and provides background vocals.

“It’s really awesome because if we weren’t playing in each other’s bands we wouldn’t really get to see each other,” says the Houston native of her new work/life situation.

But before she coupled up with Tom, the quirky singer was in another relationship that didn’t have such a cheery ending — although it did provide ample material for her sweetly melancholy album for Dollie Barnes. “The record is titled Caught in a Phase, and it’s simply about that — being stuck in a certain part of your life, but knowing there’s more to come after you get through it,” she says.

In “Taking All Day,” one of the standouts on the 11-track album, Lynch sings in her honeyed voice: “Losin’ track of the days/there’s nothing left that wasn’t blown away/so go and take all you need.” The lyrics are heartbreaking, but her lullaby voice provides a comforting feeling. “It’s pretty moody,” she says of the new record, “but I would hope that there’s at least a little bit of hopefulness in it.”

Art+Culture
Timeless Appeal at The Village: Sophisticated Retirement Living

THE STANDARD BEARER FOR LUXURY

We built The Village communities to exemplify sophisticated retirement living in Houston, surrounded by the heritage neighborhood of River Oaks, Tanglewood and Southampton. Each offers impeccable designer finishes and Aspenwood service detail with dining and resortstyle amenities making them premier locations for discerning Houstonians and their families. Impressive, spacious residential floor plans, generous natural light, and expansive terraces allow a new level of indoor-outdoor living. Beautiful spaces are designed for entertaining, fitness, and relaxation with a dedicated team to provide a secure lock and leave lifestyle for our members.

Keep Reading Show less

The patio at Heights & Co.

IT'S ALMOST TIME for summer vacations, but Heights & Co. is offering escapes on its newly redecorated patio in the form of wine and movie nights — no passport needed! Visit France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and more through wine pairings and tasting menus, all complemented by movies set in each location.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Ally Shell and Martijn van Koolwijk

BLAME IT ON the Moon! Mercury Chamber Orchestra’s 2025 gala at the Thompson hotel — themed “Moonlight Serenade and chaired by Ally Shell and Martijn Van Koolwijk — was a night of glamour and big band vibes, raising more than $350,000 for the company.

Keep Reading Show less
Art+Culture