Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregory Allen.

Hi Gregory, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started playing drums at age 6 and guitar at age 12 but to be honest with a family as musical as mine it was natural. It would have felt weird if i had chosen not to play an instrument.

When my sister and I were younger we’d put on aprons and take beer orders from my parents band in the garage and pretend we were servers. The excitement of the noise and power of a full band with strong vocal harmonies and electric guitar was the normal for my household.

My interests began with classic rock music and other artists my father was fond of like The Allman Brothers, Taj Majal, Loggins and Messina, Tom Petty, The Beatles and many more.

After his passing when I was 13, I continued to learn more and more songs and used music as an outlet or an escape from the grief I was feeling.

As the years passed music was always with me and I was always writing new songs and learning new songs I liked or heard on the radio. My influences developed to include incubus and Dave Matthews and Pearl Jam and more music from the 90s.

My writing took a similar path. Drawing from personal experiences with alcoholism and a dark world view, I was able to write a lot of music to portray how I felt about things in an ambiguous and sometimes very specific fashion.

After my trials with alcoholism leading to me being struck by a train in Florida after an adventurous yet purely selfish hitchhiking stint, I lost both of my lower extremities and had to learn to walk again.

This experience was a blessing which would soon end my struggle with alcohol and lead me to greater things. As I continued to stay sober my writing was again front and center when it came to an emotional outlet although I declined to perform live at many venues for some time.

After a few years I was able to reintroduce myself to the music scene largely to the credit and help of a musical friend.

That opportunity sparked new albums and new production projects and new live gigs at the local bars and music spots.

Today my music is more about observations, emotions and hope than it is about sadness, self-pity and darkness.

My toughest times led me to where I am today and gave me more writing fuel and motivation than I knew how to handle.

As I move on and through life today I’m fortunate to have other things to inspire my writing that express a less unique aspect of my life and are more relatable to any listener.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Aside from the incident with the train- of course it hasn’t been smooth. I think life would be boring and predictable if the ride was always smooth. I have found the difficulties in life to be helpful for me to grow.

I’ve had various things I’ve struggled with emotionally and things in my family that can be hard to deal with or sort out. I’ve had relationships change, I’ve had to take a look at myself and my values and that in itself is never smooth.

Learning to walk again wasn’t smooth either but I try not to let that define me although it is more than a notable detail of my life.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’d say I’m most known for… nothing I don’t know how popular my music really is. I think some close friends and family love to hear it.

My last album titled, “Time Away” was my best album yet. I produce all my albums myself with the help of a great drummer who provides the percussion tracks. My last album was raw and open and really showcased the variety of influences behind my original music.

I’d say the unique guitar parts and bold choice of musical transitions of my music are unique and inspired by some of the most popular bands around. Id have to say that sets my music apart maybe the slightest bit for sure.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I can’t say I regret anything about my learning process as far as music goes. I took some theory but didn’t apply myself fully. I’d say that’s super important. I’d also say be open-minded to all music as you learn.

If you’re writing just keep writing no matter what. Write as many songs as possible about everything and anything.

If you’re producing on your own ask for feedback from peers and be open to it. And just keep learning anyway you can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/theallenbrand
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_allen_brand_?igsh=OHl0YWJ1eWkzbHQx&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllenBrandMusicLive?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theallenbrand268?si=poD5a6uovmOhyQnf