Colton Allen performs as James Barre

Throughout the world, different people and cultures use the art of music to express themselves and emotions towards what they see in life as important. Many different genres of music exist, with each tailored towards a certain interest.

Campus student Colton Allen produces pop and alternative music under the artist name, James Barre. Along with performing under the alias, he also performs at FC with the drama class and worship team.

“I sing under the name James Barre,” Allen said. “I chose that name because my middle name is James, and the last name comes from the barre chord on the guitar. I taught myself how to sing, but I would have to credit my early vocal developments to a woman named Jenny Myers.”

Allen has performed across the United States in two different tours. Allen appeared with the touring groups, Boys of Summer Tour and the Grow Wild Tour. Currently his next tour is still being planned.

Allen credits House on Cliff with his inspiration to start singing. He recalls the first time that he met them. That was the day that he realized he would want to sing for his career.

“A band named House on Cliff helped get me into singing,” Allen said. “The very first day I met them and played with them, it was really amazing, and made this singing thing the thing I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Through singing Allen gained new insight into the music he listens to. After developing his own music Allen not only hears the melody and the beat, but also what themes the artist tries to convey through music. He uses this as inspiration in his music as he tries to get a specific message across.

“A lot of the music I make I try to keep simple and I try to make the point into a different point,” Allen said. “If I am talking about a school issue I can use the topic of love to convey the same point through a different point.”

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Drama adviser Kyle Dodson sees artists like Allen having an impact on the industry through services like Soundcloud that bring attention to less well known artists like James Barre. Dodson believes that these singers can influence how people listen to music.

“I followed Colton’s concert lineup that he was taking part in during the summer through Soundcloud,” Dodson said. “I am going to be listening to Colton’s songs in the future, not because he is a student of mine but because the music that James’s crafts is strong and it’s purposeful. If I had the opportunity to I would go to one of his concerts.”

Pop listener Kayden Marquez, ‘20, enjoys listening to Colton sing. If given the opportunity, Marquez says she might attend one of James Barre’s concerts.

“I think Colton’s singing is pretty good,” Marquez said. “I might be listening to his new song he is releasing soon. If I had the opportunity to, I would go to one of his concerts. He makes a name for himself, I am sure he can have an influence on the music industry.”

As a passionate rap and country fan, an anonymous campus student finds Barre’s music interesting, but is not fond of the genres he sings. However, the student thinks Colton’s songs sound great and knows that some people enjoy listening to his songs.

“Colton’s songs are interesting, but they are not my type of music,” the student said. “They aren’t bad songs and some people will like them. I am not planning to listen to his songs in the future. I normally listen to the country and rap music genres.”

Planning to produce more music for his audiences, Barre is coming with a new single called Fact or Fiction. According to Barre, the song will be released in the coming future.

To read another feature check out, Team captains lead with passion, by example.

This writer can be reached via twitter: _samuel_cross_ and via email: Sam Cross.