Check Out Mark Barrie’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Barrie.

Hi Mark, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was classically trained as a child and pursued Music Composition and Cello performance through college. At that time I also started DJing in the Midwest Rave scene which, I believe is how I discovered my passion in sound engineering. I ended up leaving a Music Conservatory education to pursue a career in the Music Industry. That move led me to a 4-year career as a freelancer in the live and studio recording world.

I was working with high-profile clients in Jazz, Gospel, Hip-hop, and other genres which were great for building my resume and experience. I was also pursuing my dreams of producing original music with my production partner at the time in an RnB/Pop duo named the Trendsedaz. Freelancing had its ups and downs financially so I took a risk and applied for a teaching position at Full Sail in Orlando Florida. It was something I knew would help me both grow as an engineer and satisfy another passion of mine: Teaching.
It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.

Teaching was not only fulfilling but also a means to become incredibly skilled as an engineer and ultimately as a music producer. Additionally, the opportunity to lead student organizations as a faculty sponsor was something that created a fantastic community of students who were eager to connect and learn. Furthermore, I created seminars to teach students about the things I do as a professional to help them extend their education into the world of sound engineering and production.

I have developed and maintained some of the most meaningful professional relationships with alumni through being a teacher and a producer. It’s something I feel is truly unique to the process of creating music, but also as someone who is passionate to teach and connect with others.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think as creatives we are naturally hard on ourselves. I have to remind myself on a regular basis that what I do at both my job as a teacher and as a freelancer is a gift. It’s truly an opportunity to grow with others and help people see their vision.

It’s interesting because as a teacher, I’m helping students grow to learn about their passions. As a freelancer, my job is to make people’s artistic vision come to life so they can release their art into the world. Both scenarios are extremely fulfilling and a unique place to be in life.

Aside from my artistic struggles, I think society telling you to do one thing as an adult is always an underlying pressure in the back of my head. But, I can honestly say I haven’t worked a day in my in the last 13 years. I think a lot of people wish they could say that.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve always been a “Jack of All Trades”. Personally, it’s satisfying to know that I can provide a full orchestral arrangement for someone, collaborate on an EDM track, write a pop song, or mix and master a song in any genre. I may be considered what some called a “hired gun” in the music industry. People come to me to get things done.

I’m normally the factor that was missing to make everything come together. Producing music is about understanding the vision of the artist and simply being “what you need to be” at that moment in time. Sometimes I’m just adding a bassline, other times I’m writing the entire instrumental. As a composer, I’ve created music for sync licensing to be sold to film and television.

As a mixing and mastering engineer, I’m the one who gets the music from demo to finished. People hire me when they’ve gotten as far as they can, I do the rest. Most artists I’ve worked with are unknown. But some notable accomplishments were my Grammy Nomination in 2009 for assisting (recording) on Tye Tribbet’s “Stand Out” album. In 2016, I found myself working with a contestant from Ru Paul’s Drag race named Tatianna. I produced her hit single with my production partner under the name MadScience.

It become an anthem in the LGBTQ+ community and to this day it’s still streamed and purchased. I ended up producing 14 songs with Tatianna including her last single “Hurt My Feelings”. To this day, I continue to be involved with any genre or project I can get my hands on. Currently, I am working on EDM projects, Alternative Pop projects, and Latin projects. Every week is a new adventure and I love it.

What does success mean to you?
Success to me is building strong relationships with people you create art with.

Being a cog in the wheel of sheer magic was my dream from day one. Sometimes, I’ll do a project for next to nothing just so I can say I was involved. The feeling of being part of the process and ultimately part of the reason a project sees the light of day is what I’m in it for.

Additionally, knowing the satisfaction of the artist, the feeling they have that this is “exactly what they wanted”, is why I do it. I love getting messages from people like “I just cried when I heard this” keeps me going every day!

Pricing:

• Mixing (includes Mastering) – 700 per song
• Mastering only – $80 per song
• Production – call to discuss pricing/project
• Beats – call to discuss pricing/project

Contact Info:

• Email: mark.a.barrie@gmail.com
• Website: https://markbarriemusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbarriemusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.barrie.3/
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mark-barrie-424846649