John Allred: Singer, Songwriter and One of the Dying Breed

By starrymag | April 10, 2017

By: Lindsay Flanagan

 

Provo, Utah is probably not the first place that comes to mind when the term “music scene” comes up. So, let’s name-drop some big acts that have come from this area of the west to convince you that Provo really does have a lot of talent coming out of it: Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees, The Killers, Royal Bliss, The Moth & The Flame, Fictionist, and Joshua James. And guess who else? John Allred. Haven’t heard of him? Well, here’s your chance— Allred just released his newest EP Brave New World! The album was produced by Mitch Davis, on February 3rd, where it debuted at #4 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts and #6 on Billboard’s Heatseekers charts. The EP features seven songs that are newly-written or newly-revisited and recorded. It could be said that it is a diary of who Allred was and who he is ready to become.

 

But Allred certainly isn’t a newbie to the music scene and all that comes with it—writing and recording, playing countless shows and releasing albums. He has independently sold 100,000 records and has over one million You Tube views and Soundcloud listens. He has released a total of eight full-length albums and seven EPs since 2004. And although he hasn’t been on this journey all alone, (garnering support along the way from family, friends, fans, and fellow musicians) he has done it without the backing of a major record label. In fact, it wasn’t until just recently that he did sign with an independent label out of Utah, Royal Fire Music, which he released Brave New World through.

 

Allred was raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, but when his brothers moved to Utah and he found his musical-self at odds with the staff at the music program at the college where he was enrolled, he came west—and ended up staying. He’s now been in Utah for more than ten years and has gained a loyal local following, gone out on tour and released his music to the world. He did eventually finish his education at Utah Valley University where he majored in music. And for all of these years, he’s worked at different jobs to support his music career from running sound to engineering and producing. Most recently, he was a video editor for a musical education company. But all of those side jobs have fallen…well, to the wayside. Allred is stepping away from 9 to 5 work schedule and putting his music career first. As of now, count John Allred among the full-time professional musicians, fully supporting himself with his music.

 

If he picks up fans throughout the U.S. as loyal as they are in Utah, though, Allred should have no problem making a life-career out of playing music. The man can play—piano (which he started at age seven), guitar, cello, ukulele, bass, harmonica and tambourine. He’s basically a one-man band, which is sometimes what he has had to be over the years of picking up tours when and where he can, with or without the support of band mates. And then there’s his voice, which strains only at the right moments in the songs, where the emotion is heard, tracing along the top of the melodies. Wrap it up with lyrics that speak to real life and Allred seems to be one of the dying breed: singer-songwriters who sacrifice almost everything to bring their music to the world.

 

Allred has had a lot of opportunities to showcase his songs to big crowds, especially being a small indie act out of Utah. He has opened for Augustana, Ben Folds, Blink 182, Boyce Avenue, Collective Soul, Dashboard Confessional, Dave Barnes, Jason Reeves, Judah & The Lion, Matt Nathanson, Parachute, Relient K, Secondhand Serenade, SafetySuit, Taking Back Sunday, The Oh Hellos, The Rocket Summer, Third Eye Blind and Yellowcard. He also just finished up a mini-tour with He is We, Kenny Holland and Rookie of the Year and will be opening up for Mat Kearney at the end of April in Logan, Utah.

 

Honestly, Allred has an impressive resume for any artist, and he also has the purest motives – he shares his music in the hopes that it will connect with someone else. And he’ll continue to make music because “there is so much music left…waiting to come pouring out.”

 

John was gracious enough to take some time while he was on the road to answer a few questions.

 

Q: You stated (on your blog), “theres something interesting that happens if the same person that writes the song, sings and plays all the instruments.” Is this what happened on Brave New World? You wrote, sang, and played it all?

 

JA: Yes, the majority of the instrumentation on the new record I played myself (aside from pedal steel and some percussion). This felt like a solo endeavor so it was fitting to do mainly all the parts.

 

Q: You also just released Covers, Vol.1, an EP of songs that (I assume) have inspired you over the years. Being a child of the 80s and an adolescent of the 90s like you, a lot of your covers draw me in because of what the songs are (most recently, your cover of Blink 182’s “Dammit” and the one closest to my heart, “3AM” by Matchbox 20). Tell us how this music shaped who you are as a musician today and why you chose the covers you did to be featured on this EP (a first of many EPs, possibly?).

 

JA: There will be more volumes of covers if people want them. To me, the 90’s were an incredible time for music. “MTV UNPLUGGED” and “VH1 STORYTELLERS” had a profound effect on me when it came to the music I play. Being young and listening to the radio, these were some of my favorite songs. They remind me of such a good time for music.

 

Q: Can you talk a little bit about Forest Eyes? It was an album you released and was produced by Joshua James but it was also a band, correct?

 

JA: Forest Eyes was a project in which I would take my songs and have Joshua James bring them to life with his band in the studio. I’d lay down the vocal and guitar and he’d get to work. I toured with another band the last couple years to bring that record to life [on] the stage. It was such a great time and learning experience.

 

Q: Brave New World is a combination of new songs and old songs. On your blog, you said, “In many ways these words mean more to me now than at the time they were written. You live with them so long, they become a part of you. Old songs become like old friends.” Can you tell us the reasons behind why you picked these certain older songs for the new album?

 

JA: After focusing on other projects the last four years I wanted to get back to what I was doing around 2012. There was a very specific sound to those songs. The roots of that came from my song “Golden” so it seemed only fitting to include it.

 

Q: With eight full-length albums and seven EPs, your writing process—besides being incredibly prolific—has probably varied and grown over the years. So, tell us what is your preferred way to write? Melodies first? Lyrics first?

 

JA: Each song is a little different. Sometimes it will be lyrics that I think about that I write music around. Some start with a guitar riff and others can be just a long jam session. Many I’ve crafted working with a loop pedal.

 

Q: As a writer, I’m always interested in how fellow poets write in their respective genres. What inspires your lyrics?

 

JA: Real life inspires my writing. It’s very autobiographical. Many of these records have been like journal entries to me.

 

Q: You’ve toured a lot in the western U.S., but I read that you also toured in China. Did you feel you had a good reception?

 

JA: China was incredible. I hope to go back soon. I sold enough merch to pay for my [plane] fare. They were so kind and inviting. It was eye opening and inspiring. Such an incredible experience.

 

Q: You’ve been able to tour with some pretty big-name bands. What one artist are you dying to tour with these days?

 

JA: I’m incredibly big on some singer/songwriters at the moment that I would love to share the stage with. Mainly, Julien Baker and Noah Gundersen. Their music speaks to me.

 

Q: Speaking of tours, what are your plans for this year?

 

JA: I will be constantly on the road this year. Aiming to hit every state. I also have a full-length record written. And I’m hoping to be in the studio early next year recording it.

 

You can find out more about John Allred here:

 

Website: http://www.johnallredmusic.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=583860803

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBeEMEh2Uo3ynctiN7xidnQ

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/johnallred

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/brave-new-world/id1198809601

Instagram: @johnallredmusic

Twitter: @jallred

Snapchat:jallred11

 

Brave New World Track Listing:

1. Brave New World
2. In Between
3. Ghost
4. Slow it Down
5. Symphony
6. Wake Me Up
7. Golden