Dave Barrett Interview
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: I started writing songs in college and then started hitting open mic nights in the Chicago suburbs. Durty Nellies in Palatine, IL became home base. I played, mostly, solo acoustic shows until I was asked to join the Dirt Poets where I met Paul Stebner and Haydn Rutz. It was just a great fit and it let the beast out of the cage. Paul plays on my latest album Stockton Ave.
Q: What was some of the inspiration behind Stockton Ave?
A: My daughter. I stepped away from writing for a long time. I am a single dad and raising my daughter has been my top priority. I would fiddle with the guitar every now and then but over the years the callus on my finger tips had faded. So lockdown hit and like many I was just looking for something to do so I pulled out the guitar and started writing again, without meaning too. Well, the dam was opened and out poured all these tunes. I showed my daughter some of them and she said I should think about making another album. The kid was right, how can I tell her to pursue her dreams if I don't pursue mine. She got me dreaming again!
Q: What are some of the topics and themes you explore on your release Stockton Ave?
A: I have always been a storyteller, and I try to create characters that people can relate to. Wishing for lost love to return, thinking about a best moment in your life or the screaming matches someone had with God. The most personal song, for me, is “Touch & Go.” That character is me baring my soul.
Q: Can you talk about your musical history?
A: I started writing songs in college and then started hitting open mic nights in the Chicago suburbs. Durty Nellies in Palatine, IL became home base. I played, mostly, solo acoustic shows until I was asked to join the Dirt Poets where I met Paul Stebner and Haydn Rutz. It was just a great fit and it let the beast out of the cage. Paul plays on my latest album Stockton Ave.
Q: What was some of the inspiration behind Stockton Ave?
A: My daughter. I stepped away from writing for a long time. I am a single dad and raising my daughter has been my top priority. I would fiddle with the guitar every now and then but over the years the callus on my finger tips had faded. So lockdown hit and like many I was just looking for something to do so I pulled out the guitar and started writing again, without meaning too. Well, the dam was opened and out poured all these tunes. I showed my daughter some of them and she said I should think about making another album. The kid was right, how can I tell her to pursue her dreams if I don't pursue mine. She got me dreaming again!
Q: What are some of the topics and themes you explore on your release Stockton Ave?
A: I have always been a storyteller, and I try to create characters that people can relate to. Wishing for lost love to return, thinking about a best moment in your life or the screaming matches someone had with God. The most personal song, for me, is “Touch & Go.” That character is me baring my soul.
Early photo of Barrett and company
Q: How do you approach songwriting?
A: I wish I could tell you that I had a formula for writing but I, mostly, just sit around and strum the guitar, watching a ball game or something, and then a riff or melody will catch my attention or a lyric line will come to me. “Simpleton Galore” was just something that came out of my mouth and I created the song from those two words. That's about it. LOL.The only song on the album that I wrote with intent and purpose was “Heroes Of Our Day.” It is about the passing of a close bandmate.
Q: Have you played this music live and if so how does it translate given the grand scope of the release?
A: We have not played live yet. I am looking at doing a couple shows in the summer in the Chicago-area. It will be a more intimate setting with some of the people on the album.
Q: What else should we know about your music?
A: LOL, I am a so-so guitarist and singer. It's the people I surround myself with that bring these songs to life. Paul Stebner on electric guitar, Chris Starke on drums, Tad Santos on bass and co-producer, Justin Lebreck on keyboards. That is the core group. I bring them the songs and some direction and then they add their talent to each song.
A: I wish I could tell you that I had a formula for writing but I, mostly, just sit around and strum the guitar, watching a ball game or something, and then a riff or melody will catch my attention or a lyric line will come to me. “Simpleton Galore” was just something that came out of my mouth and I created the song from those two words. That's about it. LOL.The only song on the album that I wrote with intent and purpose was “Heroes Of Our Day.” It is about the passing of a close bandmate.
Q: Have you played this music live and if so how does it translate given the grand scope of the release?
A: We have not played live yet. I am looking at doing a couple shows in the summer in the Chicago-area. It will be a more intimate setting with some of the people on the album.
Q: What else should we know about your music?
A: LOL, I am a so-so guitarist and singer. It's the people I surround myself with that bring these songs to life. Paul Stebner on electric guitar, Chris Starke on drums, Tad Santos on bass and co-producer, Justin Lebreck on keyboards. That is the core group. I bring them the songs and some direction and then they add their talent to each song.