Barry DeGroot Interview-The Final on Vinyl Podcast

I had a good conversation for newcomer Barry DeGroot and we discussed his first solo piano release Unspoken Conversations.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

Transcript

Speaker 0:14

Hello everybody, this is Keith MuzikMan Hannaleck with the Final on Vinyl Podcast. And today we are with Barry DeGroot. And he recently released Unspoken Conversations on October 10th. And um I looked at it as a contempt contemporary new age instrumental uh release with a lot of classical underpinnings, um, which you would hear in a lot of this music actually, and uh it's a pleasure for me to talk to Barry about that. Welcome aboard. Thank you, Keith. Pleasure to be here. Well, let's talk about you and your your life and your music, and I know there's a lot to cover, but um just a little bit about your background, how you got to where you're you're at today, and how Unspoken Conversations uh started and finished, and uh how you came up with that title. I think the title's perfect. So there's a lot to cover there. I would like to hear what you have to say.

Speaker 1 1:18

No, sure. I guess um high-level background is um you know I started playing piano at age five or six, um, watching my mother take lessons, and I just kind of started mimicking what she was practicing on the piano. I kind of had an ear for music and um just just fell in love with the piano. You know, fat fast forward 60 years, I've um recently retired from the corporate world, but um music has always been my passion, you know, my go-to, my my inner self. Um now um now that I've retired from the corporate world, um just fulfilling this passion full time. Uh the um Unspoken Conversations is a collection of songs that I wrote maybe over 30 years. I mean, you know, during times when I was feeling an emotion, wanted to express something, I'd go sit in my comfort zone, piano, and just start composing what I was feeling. Um these songs have always been personal to me. So I I I never wrote them with this mindset of releasing them, you know, commercially. Um they've just been sort of in my vault for um so many years and I finally pulled them out and um recorded them and put them into an album.

Speaker 2:41

Thirty years in the making, wow. Yeah. So the process end to end as far as recording, how long was it before it was time to release?

Speaker 1 2:54

Uh you mean process time to put the album together? Yeah. It it it was probably over a period of um four to six weeks. You know, I I had these compositions tucked away, but I wanted to re-record them in a more professional mode, so uh I I recorded them. I connected with a um local producer, Pete Masitti from West End Recording Studios, and worked with him on getting the right tone and mastered them. And that was it, it was a pretty quick, quick process as I, you know, I I had so many songs I had written, I picked out seven that I felt kind of flowed together. Um and I just you know finally decided to share it.

Speaker 3:44

I see. So I'm gonna guess you're a classical music fan and you have vinyl, and you listen to folks like George Winston and folks like that, or is there different types of artists that you listen to?

Speaker 1 3:58

I I'm I've I've got two sides. Um, yes, I was I was a huge um Wyndham Hill fan back in you know the 80s, early 90s, George Winston, Tori Amos, Liz Story. Um they were certainly a huge huge influence on me. On on the other end of the spectrum, I I love 80s music and new wave and synthesizer stuff. So you know I do that for fun. I I do piano for myself.

Speaker 4:26

So you don't listen to classical music at all?

Speaker 1 4:30

Very rarely. Um I'll listen I'll listen to New Age music, but but not not really classical.

Speaker 4:36

Interesting. So I do mention the fact that I'm hearing this classical influence in your music. Um I off base there? Is you feel that it's coming from somewhere else?

Speaker 1 4:50

No, I I I don't think you're off base. Um, you know, I'm familiar with classical music. I'll I'll listen to it now and then. Um, you know, especially when I was younger, but it's it's not really something that I actively listen to currently. Hmm.

Speaker 5:07

Okay. So this is your your maiden voyage, your first release, is that right? It it is, it is.

Speaker 1 5:17

Um exciting it it was a big step. Um, you know, I I could, you know, I have no problem writing sort of a commercial song and throwing it out there or whatever, but um, you know, these are really my inner feelings over 30 years. So it it it was a bit of a leap to um, you know, throw it out there because they were mine. Like I kind of thought they weren't good enough for public consumption for a while.

Speaker 5:44

Right, it sounds deeply personal what you've done, and that's a long stretch of time. It's like a a lifetime for a lot of people in 30 years, you know, and and putting yourself out there is always a risk. And I totally understand where you're coming from. Uh on at that point, definitely. You know, every time I write something, you know, the that question comes up in my mind, is it gonna be good enough, you know, after all these years? There's that that committee that talks to you in your head, you know?

Speaker 1 6:13

Yeah, absolutely. It feels like I was opening opening my diary of music, basically.

Speaker 6:20

Sure, you opened up the book. So thus far, uh what's the reaction then? Family and friends and is it catching on out there? Kind of reaction have you got?

Speaker 1 6:30

Um, you know, I'm not sure what's considered a huge success, but at least, you know, milestones for me um over the past couple weeks since I released it, I'm on 30 different Spotify playlists and about 10,000 streams so far.

Speaker 6:46

Really? Wow.

Speaker 1 6:48

Yeah.

Speaker 6:49

Well that's uh what, 19 days now? No.

unknown 6:53

Yeah.

Speaker 6:54

How many days did you get it? Yeah, 19 days.

Speaker 1 6:56

Wow. 19 days. So it it's um, you know, I went through Submit Hub, threw it out there, curators um, wanted some more, and and you know, as of today it's on 30 playlists.

Speaker 7:08

That's amazing. Where do you think your demographic is? Do you have any idea, or you just let all the people in the analytics and all that handle that?

Speaker 1 7:25

Actually, you know, according to Spotify, it it's typically the 30 to 50 um age bracket, although it's kind of all over the place from 18 to 60 plus, but but the largest sector seems to be 30 to 50, and about 50 50% female, 40% male, and then um, you know, other sectors. I see.

Speaker 7:56

Okay. So going forward, um what are your plans? Uh do you plan to make more music or you're just gonna let this set for a while and see what direction it takes you?

Speaker 1 8:13

Absolutely. Um, you know, I'm I'm full music mode. Um, you know, the the the new part of my life is um making music. Um pretty pretty much every day I've started compositions, um exploring maybe sync opportunities as well. Um, it's really it's just um fulfilling for me to do this. Um, you know, one one distinction that I'm I think I'm gonna pay attention to a little bit more is this original collection. It I wasn't thinking commercially, so you know some of these don't really have a song structure, as as you would sit down to write a modern song where you need a verse and a bridge and the chorus, etc. Um, you know, I haven't really paid attention to that in in this collection. Um so I I may I may try to implement some more structure to the songs this time around.

Speaker 9:10

Can you expound upon that? How what do you mean by that?

Speaker 1 9:15

In in that um, you know, personally when I listened to some of this current collection, I I found them kind of mundane and repetitive in some regards. Like, you know, I'd play the same phrases over and over, but it and it just kind of goes all over the place. Um I mean the reception's been well, but um I'd I think I'd like to do something with some little more structured in different movements, you know, with the enrange arrangement of a song and just explore that a little deeper.

Speaker 9:48

So more transitions. Is that what you mean? Exactly. Yes. Yeah. Well, I heard plenty of that in your album. I wouldn't uh downplay that. I mean you still did plenty of that. You're always you're always your own worst critic, right?

Speaker 1 10:03

Oh, yeah, absolutely. Um, you know, the other thing is uh, you know, when I'm playing modern music or or cover music, you know, you're you're on tempo, you know, these songs I kind of seem to ebb and flow, you know, with with the tempo in these songs. Um which I actually prefer because it just I think it creates more feeling.

Speaker 10:26

Yeah, and there's a lot you can do with your music. I'm sure you're aware of that. And you know, particularly instrumental music, uh, I do like to mention to folks, if they haven't thought about it, that you should explore areas where you can be used commercially, you know, in the media, whether it be um film scores or um documentaries, commercials, uh you know, there's a whole vast array of of uses out there for instrumental music. And have you thought about that at all, or is it too early for that?

Speaker 1 11:00

No, absolutely. Um I I actually registered for a couple sync libraries and um have started making submissions. Excellent. That's great. So, you know, that's that's certainly something I'd love to pursue because um, yeah, I'd I'd love to hear my music in a commercial or a film. That would be great.

Speaker 11:21

Definitely. Good exposure. Do you feel that the piano is an all-encompassing instrument? I mean, I do. To me, it's like a little orchestra. You know, and that's something I I thought about years ago. It's more recently over the last few years, where I've realized just how much is produced with those two hands of yours when you're on that keyboard. And it's quite amazing, really.

Speaker 1 11:48

Yeah, absolutely. Um, you know, I there's only two songs in this album that have some light orchestration of some cello and strings. Um, but for the most part, I I really feel the piano stands on its own. You know, the the tones and you know harmonics that you can create are just amazing.

Speaker 12:09

I just can't picture myself doing that with both hands doing two different things. You have to have some very fine motor skills to be able to do that and and memorization. It's to me it's it's magic. I don't know how you do it. I mean, is there a thought process that you're going through while while both hands are doing two different things, or it just comes naturally?

Speaker 1 12:31

It it it just comes naturally. Um you know, personally I feel my left hand's a little weaker. You know, I I listen to other you know classical artists and and they've got incredible left hand skills. You know, that's that's something I think I could improve upon. But but my process is really just I'll sit at the piano, I'll stare at it, I'll just think and try to get into a zone, starting keys here and there, and and ultimately something hits me that can become a starting point.

Speaker 13:03

Interesting. Now I'm thinking more about what you're saying. Now, whether you're right-handed or left-handed obviously makes a difference. Does the right hand play the high notes and the left hand play the lower bass tones? How does that work? It it does, yes.

Speaker 1 13:16

Yes. The left hand is typically the the lower end notes and the right hand are the higher notes. And I ironically I'm left-handed, but my right hand is more I have more dexterity with my right hand on the piano.

Speaker 13:30

Oh. So you're like Jimi Hendrix on a piano upside down. Right, right, right.

Speaker 1 13:38

That that would be interesting to revert my keyboard and then see what happens.

Speaker 13:50

Right, right, exactly.

Speaker 1 13:53

That would be interesting.

Speaker 13:56

Well, it's certainly been a pleasure to speak to you, Barry, and uh very excited for you about your future going forward and glad that you escaped the clutches of corporate America and you're you're on your way. I I did myself last year. What what did you do um for your life's work besides uh you know playing the piano and doing what you're doing now? Uh corporate law.

Speaker 1 14:23

Um real estate and private equity.

Speaker 14:26

Oh, so you're a lawyer. Wow.

Speaker 1 14:28

Okay.

Speaker 14:30

Wow.

unknown 14:31

Skip.

Speaker 14:31

Well, that must have been a little easier.

Speaker 1 14:34

A little easier for me to navigate the copyright issues, etc.

Speaker 14:38

Oh, right, exactly. You gotta know whether or not somebody's handing you a good deal or not. That's true. Right, exactly. So that's an entirely different world to be living in compared to the one you're in now. You must feel like a weight has come off of your shoulders. It it has, you know.

Speaker 1 14:56

I mean, piano, you know, and music was the the counterbalance to the stress of the corporate world, but um now it's just pure joy, just enjoying music all the time.

Speaker 15:08

So for you when you were working full-time, and then some, I imagine, it was like uh a relaxation, a mental exercise for for like a stress valve for you? Yes, absolutely. And now it's what? Just pure joy. Nice, nice switch.

Speaker 1 15:31

Yes, absolutely. Loving it.

Speaker 15:34

Well, I wish you the very best, sir, and I do appreciate your time today, and uh look forward to hopefully working with you in the future and hearing some more music. I'm very interested to hear what you will come up with next time.

Speaker 1 15:48

I that sounds wonderful. I've written one so far since this release, and you know, plan on continuing to work on it.

Speaker 15:56

That's great. Keep up that continuity, don't don't let it rest because then you might get stuck, right? Right, exactly.

Speaker 1 16:04

Keep keeping the momentum. Okay, Barry.

Speaker 16:08

Thank you so much for your time today. Thank you.

Speaker 1 16:12

It's been a pleasure. You yes, sir.

Speaker 16:14

Bye bye.