We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Barry Feng a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Barry, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I actually started playing drums instead of Bass when I was about five years old, but back then I didn’t take it too seriously. Like most kids, I was more interested in video games and hanging out with friends, and I didn’t realize how much time and effort it takes to really build technique on an instrument.
That changed in the summer after 5th grade, when I went to a Drum Festival in Tianjin, China. They brought in some of the best drummers and musicians in the world—Grammy winners, members of famous bands—and it completely opened my eyes. I remember walking into the concert hall and seeing all the different drum setups, guitars, keyboards, basses—it was already exciting. And then, during the show, each drummer would perform with a live band, and at the end all the artists came together for a huge jam session. About ten musicians were on stage trading solos, bouncing ideas off each other, and creating music in the moment.
I had never experienced anything like that before—the groove, the energy, the way the whole audience was dancing and singing. It really changed how I thought about music. On the way out, I turned to my mom and said, “I want to study music. I want to be like them. I want to play with people and make people dance.” That was the moment I decided to pursue music seriously.
From there, I started studying drums and electric bass at a music middle school, then finished high school in Canada, and now I’m continuing my journey in Los Angeles. I’m really grateful to my family for supporting me from the very beginning, because without them, I wouldn’t be here pursuing this dream.
Barry, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Definitely! My name is Yuxuan Feng, though in my music career I also go by Barry Feng. I’m a bassist and currently studying Jazz at the USC Thornton School of Music.
I do all kinds of bass-related work—sessions for artists, recording projects, teaching, live performances—you name it. I really enjoy playing across different genres, and I’ve had the chance to collaborate with musicians from all over the world. I don’t like to limit myself to just one style; for me, it’s about exploring new possibilities and creating something unique with every artist I work with.
Right now, I’m also involved in a project led by my bandmate, Jay Coda, who founded We Are All Neighbors. The project, Absent Without Love, is in its final production stage, and the concept is really meaningful: it’s about helping people recognize and unlock the love that’s already inside them. We see every artist as a “neighbor,” and together we’re building what we call a musical neighborhood, where each of us shares our unique voice. So definitely stay tuned for that release!
And of course, if anyone ever needs a bass player for sessions or collaborations, I’d love to connect.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, i truly believe that music has the power to heal people! So the most rewarding part of being a musician is having the chance to use my instrument to spread love—to people and to the community. In modern society, everyone is caught up in their own responsibilities and challenges, but I think musicians have a unique way of sharing love and connection with others.
Every time I get to stand on stage or work on new music, I feel grateful and lucky. Seeing people vibe with us, dance with us, and forget about their worries for a moment—that’s the most beautiful thing I can imagine. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most to me, and that’s the biggest reward I can receive as a musician and an artist.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
In my opinion, the best way to support an artist is to go to their live shows or exhibitions. That’s the most direct way to really understand who they are and hear the message they’re trying to share. As artists, we spend so much time practicing or working in the studio, but it’s on stage where we finally get to connect with people and bring that work to life.
I know a lot of bands who put everything into creating a unique experience for their audience, and showing up to support that makes a huge difference. Live performances can also give emerging bands the chance to take their first step into the industry, so being there for them is incredibly powerful support.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: barry_fyx
