Alex Barnard

Story

I started writing music as a dubstep producer in late 2013. I then transitioned to synthpop for a year in 2017 before turning to rock and metal and I haven't looked back. I've been playing guitar for about 2 and a half years, and I play lead in a band at college. In the band, I do most of the song writing and I usually write all the lyrics. I love jamming with people and geeking out about guitar, music, beer and other stuff haha.

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What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music gives me an emotional release. It keeps me grounded, out of trouble, and happy.

What is your music dream?

I would love to just be able for people to hear my songs. Whether or not I'm a huge rock star or just an underground, gigging musician, I would love to be able to build some kind of fan base.

If you could change the world - what would you start with?

I'd probably focus on the environment. I feel like the track we're going on isn't good and we need to fix our planet.

Which is the most memorable song from your childhood?

Either Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles or Don't Take Me Alive by Steely Dan. I grew up on classic rock. One that really stood out to me from the radio when I was a kid was Numb by Linkin Park. I loved Chester's singing and the little synth part in the intro.

Who are your favorite musical artists or bands?

The list is so long but my top 5 would probably be Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Led Zeppelin and Van Halen.

What inspires you to make music?

I love mixing surrealism and personal experiences when I write lyrics. It's all about twisting an everyday occurance into something bizarre.

What is the message you want to send with your music?

That the world is a strange and bizarre place.

How do you feel when you perform in front of an audience?

I usually get nervous when I first go on but I sort of loosen up after the first song.

How do you see the musicians’ reality nowadays? What could be improved?

Being a musician is really really tough because I think the industry does not really focus on talent as much as what can get them the quickest buck. If record labels gave musicians more money from royalties and such I think musicians' lives would be greatly improved.

What do you think of Drooble?

It's like LinkedIn for musicians and I love it.

What frustrates you most as a musician?

I'm absolutely garbage at managing social media platforms for my music, so I hate that I have to do that haha. It's been impossible for me to build a fanbase because I don't see the point in tweeting every five minutes when I feel like I have nothing to say.

Do you support your local scene as a fan? How?

I have not really been able to support the local scene at home as a fan because I'm currently at college, but when I'm at school, I go to all of the shows that the Student Musicians Union organizes and support my peers by staying for whole show. There are some incredibly talented bands at my school and they deserve the respect.

What qualities should a musician nowadays have in order to get their music heard by a larger audience?

Again, I think being savvy on social media is key. I'm not savvy on social media so I haven't been able to build a fanbase.

Share some awesome artists that we’ve never heard of.

If anyone is into stoner and doom metal, there are amazing bands like Electric Wizard, YOB, and Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats that don't get nearly enough attention.