Today we’d like to introduce you to Barry Shelton.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Barry. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The dream of fronting a band started sometime in middle school around 2005 or so. I remember discovering bands like My Chemical Romance, The Used and Silverstein and for the first time, I felt so deeply connected. I was always a big music fan but this era was a gamechanger for me. There was something so raw and therapeutic about it. What can I say? I was in love with the angst and emotional honesty of it all. It was then when I started writing songs myself and daydreaming about being on stage.
I have always been a bit of a shy, self-conscious and anxious person. Because of this, it took me years to actually put my dreams into any real action. All throughout high school, I would try to form bands, kept writing and hoping one day something would just happen for me. As we all know, that’s just not how life works most of the time. You have to go after what you want and MAKE things happen. I never truly gained the confidence to do this until I hit 23 years old in 2016.
At this point, I had actually given up on music and thought that surely I was over that part of my life but I couldn’t have been more wrong. That year, I ended up meeting a reconnecting with so many friends/fellow musicians that lit the fire in my heart once again. The passion I had felt for years had returned burning brighter than ever before. I decided that it was now or never and that I needed to put myself out there and just go for it. This is how The Keepsake was born.
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh no, of course not. Being a musician is an amazing thing for me but also super stressful. It is very easy to get down on yourself and worry if you are making the right choices or taking the right paths. A huge part of that is because with music there is no one right way to do things. There are so many different ways to find success or happiness through being an artist, but it can be different for everyone. It is definitely a career path that you gotta love what you do, your heart needs to be in it because sometimes that is all you have.
I also mentioned earlier that I struggle with depression and anxiety which just adds another layer of challenges, but I will say that getting on stage has actually helped my confidence. Ten years ago, I never thought I would be able to get up in front of hundreds of people and perform. It was always something that I struggled with, public speaking, etc. But here I am, and I’m actually pretty proud of myself.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Keepsake – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Since the birth of The Keepsake, there has been lineup changes, genre shifts and so on. The thing that hasn’t changed since day one though, is WHY this band exists and what it stands for. There are two big things that I get out of this band: a form of self-expression and therapy… as well as building a connection with listeners and creating a safe space for all at our shows. I strive for our shows to be a place where no matter your race, gender expression, or sexuality, you feel at home and comfortable. You are valid and you are accepted. “The Keepsake” shows should be a place where people can go let loose for a night, make a bunch of new friends and release any emotion that has been building up. Between that and airing out my own struggles with depression, anxiety, and general life experiences/hardships, I am hoping there can be some form of catharsis.
I always make a point to be transparent and honest on stage. I can say that I am never truly more myself than when I am performing. That feeling of leaving all emotion and energy out on the stage is one that I can’t even begin to describe. I am truly lucky to be able to do this with some of my best friends and I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the diversity of Atlanta. There are so many different people from all sorts of backgrounds and upbringings etc. I also gotta say, for similar reasons, I love the music community here. I have been lucky enough to meet and befriend so many beautiful, wonderful and diverse people here.
Dislike? The cost of living and lack of public transportation.
Contact Info:
- Email: Thekeepsakeband@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thekeepsakeband
- Facebook: Facebook.com/thekeepsakeband
- Twitter: @thekeepsakeband
Image Credit:
Rob Dixon
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