Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dominick Barlow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dominick, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

Just last year, my wife and I were kicked out of a place owned by family and were homeless, but a friend of ours was gracious enough to take us in for a time until we found our own place. I’ll never forget that, and it always feels great to think about and motivates me to always be kind to others no matter the situation.

Dominick, 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?

My name is Dominick Barlow and I’m currently in school at Idaho State University for Commercial Music and Guitar Performance. I’ve been producing for nearly 3 years now and have been playing live for about half a year now.

I got into this industry actually by playing in a church for some years. Building my love and passion for live music there kickstarted my drive to do what I’m doing now, despite being secular. I started writing my own music, picked up an interface and a DAW, and started learning the craft. Once I got stuck, I decided to enroll into college for music performance and production to make new connections and learn new skills/hone old ones.

Creative works I provide are primarily my own written and produced music that I play live to spread to people. I also produce and mix other bands/artists as work comes in, and I’m a full time guitar teacher at Snake River Strings Co. in Southeast Idaho.

What sets me apart from others I’ve observed is my motivation and drive to travel wherever I need to for music. I just recently moved up to Idaho from Tennessee interestingly enough because I was getting more calls up here for my music than I was down there, though I hope to move back. Anyway, I’m not one to shy away from taking a leap and seeing where I land–creating my own opportunities instead of waiting for one to come.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in the short amount of time I’ve been doing music, and how far I’ve yet to come that is on its way. I’m also very proud of the way that my music has connected with my fans who are struggling with abuse, drugs, etc and how many people my music has helped overcome those things.

The main thing I want people to know about me is my drive and my neverending need to bring positivity to the world through the music I create. My music has lots of dark notes but I believe that actually helps because it shows people who feel lost that they’re not alone and that I have lots of other people have been in that place before, or still are, and that brings comfort to so many.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Come out to shows! Honestly, the local original acts around are the best hang, have music you didn’t think was possible at the local level, and the tickets are dirt cheap for you but helps the artists on the bill more than you know. DIY shows in your scene are the best way to support the artists around you and we’ll never forget that. I understand big shows are fun and your favorite artist is playing, but you can also go to local shows, support aspiring artists, and maybe even find a new favorite band. It’s the best thing you can do.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

This is huge. The amount of risks that we as creatives take looks completely reckless to non-creatives, but that’s the point. We need to take these huge leaps and take these massive risks in order to get to where we need to go. And never has anyone been upset about a risk they took because it always pans out of manifested correctly. Plan Bs turn into the main thing because you’re less focused on your Plan A. I don’t have a Plan B and it’s been proven to work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goneaftermidnight.com/
• Instagram: instagram.com/goneaftermidnight
• Facebook: facebook.com/goneaftermidnight
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@GoneAfterMidnight

Image Credits
Images taken and edited by Josiah Smith of Blink Alternative