Kristen Barry

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and arranger, Kristen Barry was first heard on 1996's Home Alive project. Now with "The Beginning, The Middle, The End," her debut album, Kristen gets to tell the full story. Born January 1970, Barry began playing piano at age five, and for years wanted to be a classical pianist. Music took a back seat for several years, following the death of her teacher/mentor, but at 12 she became interested in rock music and started seeing local bands. At 15 she began a four-year stint as keyboard player with a group. By 17 she was writing songs and at 19 left the band to pursue her own music, focusing on guitar as her instrument of choice. Barry shaped every facet of "The Beginning, The Middle, The End, " from writing the lyrics, to arranging the instrumental parts and rhythmic approach in her home studio, to bringing in the band for the final recording. "The Beginning..." was recorded in Los Angeles between July and November 1995 and produced by the Robb Brothers (Donovan, The Lemonheads, Buffalo Tom). For the recording Kristen brought in drummer Matt Chamberlain, guitarist Rick DeChurch (who has played with Barry since 1992), and bassist Chris Ballew (on loan from Presidents of the United States of America).