Today we’d like to introduce you to Brent Barlow.
Brent, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Southwest Missouri and have been heavily involved in music my entire life. My mother and father were both music teachers in public schools and made sure that my two older brothers and I had our fill of musical training. But, I was the only sibling in my family that was interested in a musical career. At the age of fifteen my dreams turned to songwriting.
When I graduated from High School in 1986, my first thought was to jump on a bus heading toward LA and start living my dream! But, my mother convinced me that this plan wasn’t very well thought out. Of course, she was right. She suggested college. Being landlocked (this is pre-internet times!) and not having the funds to study far from home, I could see no other logical alternative. But, I did make a great choice in Central Methodist University. I began studying the traditional Bel Canto style of singing. At CMU, I learned a great respect for this style of singing. However, my heart still yearned for a contemporary musical style and career. Instead of practicing my required opera arias, I often stayed up all night in the practice rooms writing pop tunes! In 1990, I completed my BM at CMU. I went on to completing a MM at Northwestern University in 1992. Both were Classical music degrees.
After graduating from Northwestern University, I did what most vocal performance major do. Audition, perform, work as a singing waiter, more auditions, catering, etc. That’s how it went for a while. Then I landed a professional church choir gig in Chicago at Saint Chrysotum’s Church. There I connected with the choral director of Lyons Township High School. For the next four years I taught private classical lessons to High School kids during their choir period. It was here that I began to develop my approach to teaching vocal lessons.
During the same time, I was recording some of my original pop tunes at a small recording studio, aptly named The Demo Shop. My Bel Canto training stuck out like a sore thumb! Even though my voice was trained well, it was trained in the wrong style!! I needed to focus more on a contemporary method of singing.
I came to Boston in 1996. How did I end up here? A girl, of course! I followed her out to the East Coast and, as luck would have it, we broke up within the first two weeks of being in the City! Not really having the money to leave, I decided to make a go of it. I landed a bartending job. On my way to work one day I noticed a flyer from a studio looking for Contemporary vocal teachers! I was curious and applied. With my vocal and performance training, I was hired on the spot.
The Studio was Bristol Recording Studios in Boston. Ric Poulin, the owner of Bristol, has been involved in the contemporary music scene in the city for over forty years. He took me under his wing and helped me find my contemporary voice. I was given multiple opportunities to work in the recording studio laying down vocal tracks for clients and doing various voice over spots as well.
After spending fourteen years teaching at Bristol, I had begun to develop my own unique way of delivering my vocal lessons. Essentially, I began to mix the contemporary components with my original classical training and teaching from the past. By weaving the two styles together, I came up with the unique approach to teaching the contemporary singer that I use today. A method that is solid in style as well as vocal health for the contemporary singer.
I not only teach it, I use it! I started an original band in 2004 called Slow Motion Driver. A mix of heavy, pop/progressive and aggressive Rock. We played together until Summer of 2010. During this time, my voice not only got better, it got stronger! I left my teaching position at Bristol in 2011 and have been fine tuning my approach to teaching singing for the last six years. Today I work with over 30 private clients on a weekly basis giving them contemporary vocal training. I also work with clients on their recording and songwriting skills. I arrange and produce projects as well. Performing? Not as much as of late. But, you can find me leading the Praise Band at Old West United Methodist Church on Sunday mornings.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think trying to fit in vocally was a struggle. Singing music that really didn’t fit me. I love Classical music. I even did professional Musical Theater in and around the Chicago area. But, it just wasn’t me. I struggled getting cast and most of the time ended up in the chorus or with a small bit part.
Finding my contemporary voice was a big change in my life. It opened my mind to the connection of all singing styles. I just wish I had known this when I was younger. You live, you learn.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I work with between 30-35 private clients weekly. I teach a unique contemporary singing style. I also help write, arrange and produce original material that clients bring to me.
(The recording aspect is also worked into the private vocal lessons a training tool. We work with cover songs, letting the singer experiment with different aspects of the artists style.) If they lay down a good take they are welcome to keep it and use it for demo material, no extra charge.
In addition to singing, I do work with public speaking as well. Clients who have issues with their vocal quality when they speak. Giving them the tools to create a pleasant and confident speaking voice. I have had much success with this aspect of my business as well.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Boston can be a hard city to start a contemporary music career. But of course, we know it has been done and is being done every day. Today, with all of the help of technology, anything is possible! Someone looking to break into the music industry can easily do so by making themselves present on the internet. That being said, this takes lots of time, work and patience! But, remember, making it in music doesn’t always mean becoming a Major Label Artist! I’ve worked with clients that have made it to the big stage. I also have plenty of clients that make a living making music right in here Boston and the surrounding area. If you love it, you can do it. Just like any career.
Pricing:
- Private Voice Lessons – $75 an hour.
- Recording and Arranging – $85 an hour.
- Out of Studio Coaching – $100 an hour
Contact Info:
- Address: 334 Washington Street,
Somerville, MA 02143 - Website: www.brentrocks.com
- Phone: 617 763 7987
- Email: bbarlowvoice1@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brentbarlowmusic/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/brent-barlow-somerville?osq=Private+Voice+Lessons
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