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Kristen Barry

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Kristen Barry
OriginSeattle, Washington, U.S.
GenresAlternative rock, grunge
Years active1989–2001
LabelsVirgin Records
Past membersKristen Barry
Chris Ballew
Matt Chamberlain
Rick DeChurch
David Doyle
Brad Caseldan

Kristen Barry (born January 1970) is an American rock musician from Seattle, Washington. Emerging from the 90s Seattle scene, she toured as a solo artist from 1988, released a single solo album in 1996, and worked as a keyboardist and producer for multiple bands. She was dropped by her label in 1999 and left the industry in 2001.

Career[edit]

Kristen Barry was born in Seattle, Washington, in January 1970. Her first instrument was a piano given to her at age 5 for Christmas, which started her interest in creating music.[1][2] She began her career as a member of the band First Thought, joining as their keyboard player in 1985. After 3 years she left the band and started touring solo with her own material, now focusing on the guitar, at age 18.[3] She became a regular at venues such as The Crocodile, RKCNDY, Vogue, and the Central Saloon (known then as the Central Tavern).

In 1991 Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam gave her demo tape to Epic Records, who flew her to LA under an artist development contract[4], though this was not fruitful and she returned to Seattle. Her second opportunity wouldn't come about until June 1994, with a record deal from Virgin Records, and she relocated to LA in 1995 to record her first (and only) album. "The Beginning. The Middle. The End" was released in 1996[5] featuring Matt Chamberlain on drums and Chris Ballew on bass, and she embarked on a tour throughout 1996 and 1997 in support of it.

Kristen began writing for her next album while touring, and one song - "Ordinary Life" - was released on the Cruel Intentions (soundtrack). Shortly afterward, she was dropped by her label, and moved to New York. She briefly joined the band Star Ghost Dog as their touring keyboardist in 2001[6], also performing some solo shows between, before finally leaving the industry completely to go back to school for psychology.[7]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Year Album details
1996 The Beginning. The Middle. The End

Other appearances[edit]

Year Song Title Label
1995

"Joyride"

Home Alive: The Art of Self Defense Epic
1999

"Ordinary Life"

Cruel Intentions (soundtrack) Virgin Records

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Fright X Magazine transcript". Archived from the original on May 24, 2000. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  2. ^ The Rocket Magazine
  3. ^ Kristen Barry These Streets Archived 2018-12-22 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ The Rocket Magazine
  5. ^ "Allmusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  6. ^ "Star Ghost Dog News". Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  7. ^ Kristen Barry These Streets Archived 2018-12-22 at the Wayback Machine

Additional readings[edit]