Rich Allen is a highly acclaimed Nashville recording artist songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist,.fluently covering R&B, Rock, Soul, Folk, Pop, His repertoire of over 300 works contains everything from Lyle Lovett to Bruce Springsteen Frank Sinatra to MB20. Some Custom backing pedal magic helps to fill out the sound for medium to large venues. He has a network of excellent accompanists when needed. A versatile performer, he has covered weddings, galas, and corporate events in venues as diverse as concert halls, living rooms, and dive bars. A new Artist Spotlight member In his songwriting, he is known for his brilliant and deep lyrical content, striking guitar, and keyboard playing.
We managed to catch up with Rich Allen for an interview following his newest single release “I See You”
What inspired you to get into music?
My passion for creating music means literally everything. The songs are real, and express emotion from a hopeful and genuine perspective.
How would you describe your music?
The music tells stories. The songs are necessary expressions that live on then to continually inspire each of us and in turn the musical community around us.
Where would you like to see your music career in 5 years time?
Rich Allen fan base grows continually because the songs are relatable. They are straight “heart.”
What would you say is your recording and songwriting style?
Music was always a part of me and has helped me survive the trauma of an abusive childhood. I remember as a child getting a guitar for Christmas, I think I was 6 or 7. I had it for like a week before it was taken back to the store because of the mother as I call her needed to feed her drug habit. The week I had the guitar in my hands was the happiest week of my childhood with the exception of finding my foster family. I regress,
I wrote my first song during that week.
“People are curse sometimes
hope the world will change in time
can’t dream no more
of the love people store”
At an early age, I wanted to stir emotion and connect in my writing.
Where can music fans listen to your music?
https://open.spotify.com/track/5DaGaHAOf3CD0cQL4t4rcL?si=f4fb1ecacc774bf4
Your new single “I see You” is a song about connection a consciousness of love feelings and soul. What inspired you to write this song?
This song was inspired by a quote a dear friend posted on Facebook. Jennifer Williams Wotsch “ I will hold a place for you”. The concept of holding a place for another moved me to write this song. It immediately made me think of unconditional love, meeting a person where they are, and the willingness to protect that with all you have. I sat in the studio and wrote the music and lyrics in one sitting, about five minutes. Recorded in Jan 2020 at Top tracks studio In Nashville TN With executive producer Mark Duvall, I wanted to take the listener to feel as though they were at church so to speak. Soft organ music flowing with the guitar with the instrumentation building up to the bridge or as I call it my testimony;
“The road Less traveled I walked them all
O slip I trip I stumble I fall
I get back Up if I have to crawl
True Love forever after all”
How did you cut the vocals?
I cut the vocal track using the classic RCA 44, Mark hit the nail on the head having sign into this original ribbon mic. I thought about all the greats that sang into this mic and hope that a little bit of the magic would be rubbed off.
Amazing. What can we expect from you in the future?
A spring “Record store tour “ with the release of Rich Allen The singles and an Intimate performance at each location with meet and greet fans. Obviously, I am also excited to go back to the recording studio to record 12 new songs for a 2023 release and world tour.
You can Check out Rich’s music at
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4GEytqYBj8GSU7yqCOZy28?si=mPzBVMdqS7O8pRbhJWrocQ
Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-see-you-feat-rich-allen/1595102831?i=1595102832
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ExVqh6xzsgOVi6nvdnChg