15 August 2022 (free)
15 August 2022
Tell us about Barry Alexander King – When did you first start writing and playing music?
Playing, basically when I came out of college. I had always performed at college concerts, but had a late start in regards to serious live performances. My first memorable experiences were when I met a guy on an interrail trip around Europe and we ended up settling in the Greek islands together for 3 months. You could say that I learned the ropes in that journey and how to feel comfortable in front of a live audience that doesn’t know who you are. Later there were bands and finally in 2018 I decided to try my luck as a solo artist. As far as the writing is concerned, it came after a long time. I believe most artists and singers start from other people’s material to learn their craft and I was no different. Playing cover songs that suit your style helps you develop your writing later. The writing is really pretty much mark and error. I mistakenly thought 20 years ago that I was a good writer but now I realize I was only at the beginning. Meanwhile I feel quite confident as a writer but always feel that I can write another better song.
How would you describe your music and your musical influences?
My music can be described as indie pop/rock but I push the boundaries in that regard. There was a certain country rock element to my first album, probably because of the musicians I was with and am still working with. Even household names sometimes do different things and why should I be different as a famous artist? If I go to a concert I want to listen to a lot of tempo songs but contemporary ballads break things up and give concert goers a satisfying concert experience all round. That’s how I envision my future live shows. I mean look at Metallica, perhaps one of their most famous songs is “Nothing Else Matter” is a ballad. The point is, there’s no particular reason to place yourself in a particularly certain set of musical genres, although the music industry certainly promotes the practice. Obviously there are limits for me here too as I don’t expect to be put on rap playlists!
Musically I think some of my biggest influences were bands like Daryl Hall and John Oates, Crowded House, David Bowie, The Beatles (who weren’t!), but also a new generation of singer songwriters like Jason Mraz and Matt Nathanson. have also been a big influence. I remember listening to Matt’s “Some Mad Hope” album around 2008 and it really grabbed me. I believe it also influenced me to try my luck as a singer songwriter. As a thank you to Matt I also recorded one of his songs “Heartbreak World” for my current album BAK3.
You just digitally released the remaining 4-songs for your new album, Bach 3. Congratulations! Tell us all about the 9-song album. What inspired it? Where was this recorded? What is theme? What was the decision behind releasing a few songs at once instead of releasing all the 9 songs at once?
Thanks guys! It was definitely a labor of love with some real challenges to come. To start with it’s always my intention to go one better than the previous album and I try to write themes that probably aren’t used that much in rock and pop music. That doesn’t mean I won’t write about love or personal relationships but let’s just say it’s been done a million times.
For example the first track Facetune_Autotune is the song about society’s determination through social media with visual and sound perfection. Anything clean and shiny is expected today. The extent to which people go about changing themselves visually has taken on a whole new dimension. Soundwise (and we’re all definitely guilty of that) needs to be quantized and tuned otherwise the new generation of listeners will think there’s something wrong with it.
Another song from the album is “Tribute” to all the “keyboard warriors”! The biggest downside to the Internet and social media in general is the fact that people now have a huge platform to verbally attack and insult each other.
“Try to Carry On” is about finally being in a good place, but the fear of losing it all. “The Flame” is about the early years of trying to find the right mate, but judging those partners’ faults for intrinsically wrong reasons and attempting to find the “perfect” partner that is impossible.
I recorded most of the albums at my home, which I did even before the pandemic. The BAK band recorded their parts in the USA (some amazing musicians and guys from Lafayette Louisanna I found via Air Gigs/Soundbetter). Tracks 1, 3 and 4 were produced by US-based British manufacturer Killian Cruiser. The rest I produced myself with Tony Daigle co-producer and the band (Justin Lewis, Brian Petrie and Brandon Trent) on Track 5.
My first two albums were released all at once, but after following a lot of social media experts like Rick Barker, Tips & Advice, I decided on a strategy of splitting the album into different release phases. A lot of experts recommend that it’s better this way because it keeps people busy and “waiting” and also benefits platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Another reason was that it was not always easy to guarantee release dates to my co-producers once the pandemic subsided a bit as they suddenly became extremely busy again after things reopened.
You have performed in a bunch of different cities and countries. Do you have a favorite place? How about a favorite memory from being on the road?
I think the most memorable gigs were at some Greek-style amphitheaters in the days of the bus in Greece or later in Germany at some US military airfields largely with about 5000 people. In those days it was about the music, the party and the overall experience of having a good time, whereas today it is all about the music and performance. I’m glad I sowed my so-called “wild oats” and got drunk because it’s well and truly done now.
What’s next for Barry Alexander King?
Well, now I will obviously promote BAK3 as much as possible on social media as well as on live shows/streaming in Europe. I’m also working on the possibility of a solo tour for a more established artist in early 2023 and I’m currently getting a BAK band for next year because I think the songs are worth it.
Also I have some books/scripts that are basically finished which I would love to get them in the right hands. I wrote them back in 2008/2012, but there weren’t Netflix or Amazon Prime then, so now I think the time is right for both of those projects.
What do you enjoy doing besides playing music? Any other hobbies or passions?
Besides music I love to hang out with my family (wife and daughter) and I am a total tennis freak, proper player but better spectator and prefer ATP/Grand Slam. I was already at Flushing Meadow US Open, French Open and Wimbledon and only Australian Open is missing in my list of Grand Slams.
So far it can be said that the US Open was the greatest experience I have ever had as a tennis fan. Not only the tennis but the whole atmosphere of Flushing Meadow was a blast. Met some great people and we went around Greenwich Village, Chelsea and Little Italy in the evening. Really great memories.
How can our readers sustain your career?
Thanks again guys was a pleasure and an honor. My social media links and platforms are the best places to stay up to date with what’s happening:
Instagram I YouTube I Spotify
