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R2RB Podcast - Women Entrepreneurs and Indie Artists Series
Where Indie Artists and Women Entrepreneurs share their journeys.
We sit down with indie musicians from diverse genres, shedding light on their personal and professional experiences. From the euphoria of their first gigs to the challenges of carving a niche in the industry, R2RB Podcast is your backstage pass to these rising stars' raw and unfiltered narratives.
We also embark on a journey of Women Entrepreneurs and share their inspiration, amplifying the voices and stories of remarkable women entrepreneurs. Join us as we delve into the worlds of visionary leaders, innovators, and trailblazers who are rewriting the rules and reshaping industries.
We look forward to sharing your journey!
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R2RB Podcast - Women Entrepreneurs and Indie Artists Series
Stephen Anderson aka Berlos Band
Ever wondered how a 19-year hiatus could transform someone's musical journey? In this heartfelt episode of the R2RB Indie Artist Podcast Series, we sit down with Stephen Anderson, better known as Berlos Band, who shares his remarkable story of resilience. From early influences like Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden to a life-altering break from music due to mental health challenges, Stephen's story is nothing short of inspiring. We dive into his transformative reconnection with music, spurred by a pivotal encounter with a friend.
Get ready to step into the world of Berlos Band as we uncover the unique story behind its name and the creative processes that shape its distinctive sound. Stephen opens up about the challenges of recording music at home, the indispensable role of community support, and the struggle for visibility as an indie artist. We also discuss the power of collaboration and modern technology in expanding reach while looking ahead to Stephen's plans for live performances. This episode shines a spotlight on the richness and diversity of the indie music scene. Tune in to appreciate the storytelling, emotions, and sheer talent that define Stephen's musical journey.
https://linktr.ee/deblamotta
Hi and welcome to the R2RB Indie Artist Podcast Series, and today I have with me Stephen Anderson, aka Burlose Band. Welcome, Steve, how are you?
Speaker 2:I'm very well, thank you, and thank you for having me on.
Speaker 1:Oh, you're very welcome. I'm very happy to have you All right. So I always like to ask two questions to get us started, and the first one is if you could have one superpower, which one would you have, and why?
Speaker 2:I would like to be able to see inside people.
Speaker 1:Really.
Speaker 2:And then be able to help people how they need helping.
Speaker 1:Ah, I like that. All right, and what is your favorite app on your phone? I don't have a favorite app because I can't stand the telephone I think you were the first one to answer it that way, yeah I'm the only person in the world now who doesn't use a smartphone for social media well, there's certainly nothing wrong with that, because we do get so caught up in in the phones.
Speaker 1:Um, my dad is forever saying to me do you have your phone on you? Do you have your phone on you? Because they don't use smartphones either. He's like you carry that, you carry your phone everywhere. I said I know, I know yeah, my phone serves me there you go I like that. Oh gosh, when did you know music was going to be a part of you one way or another?
Speaker 2:From a very early age. My first recollection of music was Pink Floyd Another Brick in the Wall, oh my gosh. And as soon as I heard that, music was always a part of it, and my older brothers had their Iron Maiden in the mid-'80s.
Speaker 1:Good music, yeah, yeah yeah. Yeah, this generation, you know. Hopefully they all get to listen to that era, because that was certainly good music. Were there other members in your family growing up that had a passion for music as well, besides your brother, uh?
Speaker 2:no, no, really, it's just my older brother and that really into me. They weren't playing music, but listening to music.
Speaker 1:When did you, when did you start then playing the guitar?
Speaker 2:uh 25th of september 1995. Oh okay, you remember the specific day well, it was a month, it was a monday after my wedding, so yeah, I can well, that's good that you kind of tied the two in together.
Speaker 1:You won't forget either one yeah, no honeymoon. Forever guitar yeah, no honeymoon but I have a guitar, oh my gosh. So who were you?
Speaker 2:before Berlus band and before the music stopped. For you, a traumatized person, really, I'd say, suffering with mental health, depression, anxiety. Lost is the word I would use.
Speaker 1:Right, but you had music first and then you went through the dark times and we've talked before and you said that the music literally just stopped for you.
Speaker 2:It did. I couldn't touch music, not at all, not listen to it, play it, no, it was just too emotional, I think.
Speaker 1:Was there something that happened? Did the music?
Speaker 2:find you again or did you find the music? Well, I think it was a bit of both, because, long story short, a friend of mine who I met whilst walking the dog told me his story of his music and all of a sudden, my music just hit me. It hit me and that's it. I went home, picked up a guitar and said and now we've got a really strong bond together. Both got bands and there's a lot of creation going on.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow, and there was 19 years of no music 19 years.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's right, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:And when did you start back up again? What year was that?
Speaker 2:It was about a year ago now. Wow, okay, yeah, yeah I picked the guitar up and used it for my mental health well-being and that definitely helped. And then I had someone to share it with the gentleman who I walked the dog with and it's become very, very therapeutic.
Speaker 1:Wow, and so you write songs yourself.
Speaker 2:I do yes.
Speaker 1:So were you writing before?
Speaker 2:Never written a song before.
Speaker 1:Just something you started.
Speaker 2:Yep, I picked up the guitar, put a drum beat on and then wrote a song something to tell.
Speaker 1:Put a drum beat on and then wrote a song. Wow, yeah, that is amazing. Um, so are your songs based on? Then your your?
Speaker 2:your mental health journey. Yeah, I've done an album, the down and out album. That was eight tracks. That is my story, my mental health story. That that was a very therapeutic to get some of that out, yeah, in in a way that other people could listen to it yeah, um, we uh, you know, just coming.
Speaker 1:I've had, I have had a conversation before with other indie artists going through covet and what has come out of that. I mean, you weren't there at the covet time with your music, but you know those that went through through so much um, and then the music for them was very therapeutic as well it is yes, yes.
Speaker 2:I think it is good for therapy of many kind.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because I think whenever you know, I know for myself. Whenever I'm down and out, you know that's what I go for. You know, let me get my headphones on and my music, right? Yeah?
Speaker 2:And a song can change its meaning to you by the mood, can't it? Right, yeah, and bring those feelings out, whatever yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean you can hear the lyrics one way and then, depending on your mood, the next is going to be something totally different.
Speaker 2:It's got a slightly different meaning. Yeah, that's right. And I think you turn to the music because you know what it's going to do for you.
Speaker 1:Exactly, oh my gosh, exactly, wow, so obviously the music has had a positive effect on you this past year.
Speaker 2:Yes, very much so.
Speaker 1:All right, so Berlow's Band. Is there a story behind how you named came up with that name?
Speaker 2:Yes, yeah, it's a very boring one. I sit no more than five feet from my wife when I'm recording my music in the living room, and her nickname from her brother when she was a child was Berlow. So I said well, you're in the same room, you might as well be banned. So it's burlough's band. It's as simple as there's, no big story to it.
Speaker 1:So there is another band member is she into the music as well, or?
Speaker 2:she's fed up with my music now and I don't blame her.
Speaker 1:And you do your own recording at home.
Speaker 2:I've learned to do everything in the last year, just every year. Yeah, I've never recorded a song on the computer before I learned it as I've gone along.
Speaker 1:Wow, what was that process like for you?
Speaker 2:Very taxing. Is it Very long and it's still going on. Yeah, there's so much to learn, I can.
Speaker 1:I can only imagine. Yeah, just the way that music once was recorded till now on all the digital components of it all.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, yeah Again. In itself, that's therapeutic in itself learning a new, a new task and recording, yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I like my computer. I've been attached to it for a while. But you're right, whenever something comes up, if I start learning something new, then you kind of lose yourself into it and everything else goes to the wayside.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's it Right.
Speaker 1:Well.
Speaker 2:I like, though, how the band came about kudos to your wife yeah, definitely oh my gosh, all right, so malata.
Speaker 1:Carmony review. Um, a lot of carmony review. Did a review of burlose band. Now you submitted your material to them yes, I did yes okay, and then, um so, to quote melodic harmony review, they said you have a brooding speaking style vocals, and I agree, do you agree?
Speaker 2:yes, I do totally.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's because I can't sing you can't yeah but no, it all but it all comes together, because when I was reading the review I had heard you and I had listened to your music. But when I heard the brooding and what he had said about the speaking style, I was like, well, yeah, that's it. So I had to go back and I was listening again. But the way that you just put it all together, I mean you may think you can't sing, but it all works, it all works.
Speaker 2:It all works with the music.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, but it does, it all works, it all works, it all works with the music. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's me. Yeah, yeah, and and milana carmen review also had this to say if you are looking to delve into the world of rock, blues, burlough's band is the way to go.
Speaker 2:So do you like to be, um, put into a genre? Like to be put into a genre? No, not at all. It's just like furlough style. It is bluesy and it is rocky, and yes, it is, but I'm not stuck to a genre.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that's what I like about the indie artists, because I have so many, or most of them, that I've gotten to speak to. Now. They say the same thing. They don't like to be categorized into one genre and everybody's crossing over, and that's what the whole thing is about, indie anyway.
Speaker 2:Yes, that's right, that's right, and I've come across genres that I didn't even know existed. Yeah, yeah, and suddenly, all of a sudden, I'm liking country, country, westerns, all the other types of things, and that's what it's about.
Speaker 1:It is, it is and I've always liked country, but for me I never really. Not that I didn't like the blues, I just never really listened to it until I moved to where I am now, here in Delaware, and they have a really big bluesy blue genre genre local indie artists here and that's how, actually, that's how I got hooked into all of this was to listen to. They're called lowercase blues and they are. They're just, they're awesome, and that's how I got hooked with the blues. And then you know, like you do, listening to all the different genres and all the different music that the indie artists put out there and there's so many of them, um, that if you close yourself off to one genre, you're going to miss somebody.
Speaker 2:You're going to miss them, you're missing out an awful lot. Yeah, and, and I have a rule that I listened to every song to the end, because you've got to take in what that musician is trying to tell you, otherwise you're learning nothing from that song. It's not just about dancing around on a Friday night, is it Right? That's true, or sometimes it can be. It can.
Speaker 1:We'll agree on that one, that is for sure. But that's true because I was just speaking with Luke Jay the other night and he has an EP out. And just going back to what you said about telling a story, you're right. If you don't listen to the whole song, if you don't listen to the whole EP, you can miss a whole story.
Speaker 2:You can miss it. Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1:And I think so many people miss that whole thing altogether.
Speaker 2:And I think a lot of people would be surprised at how similar the different genres are with the storytelling. The stories are the same and they're just telling in a different way. Right, the person's perspective, yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Emotions and things.
Speaker 1:Yeah, oh, there's so much that's behind all the lyrics and the music and I mean we can all listen to it and we probably all come away with a different feeling from it, but there's definitely always that background story of the music.
Speaker 2:There is always a story there somewhere.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:And whatever it means to you. That's what it's about, isn't it?
Speaker 1:Right At that time.
Speaker 2:And again going back to lyrics. Yeah, going back to lyrics, I mean, it could mean you could feel it one way and then the next minute you listen to the same song and it's going to hit you some other way, some different way.
Speaker 1:Yes, that's right. Yeah, yeah, absolutely so. Burlows Bar. Let me start Time out.
Speaker 2:Burlows Bar.
Speaker 1:Burlows Bar. How did that come about?
Speaker 2:I was looking at these groups and that and that they got their rules and their regulations and I thought we're all sitting in. This is the music on a Friday night. It's a burlap bar.
Speaker 1:Treat it as your own and it's their fun and it's simple, as simple as that right, it is simple, and social media, with Facebook lately, has had a lot of issues for indie artists.
Speaker 2:Oh, it has.
Speaker 1:Yeah, have you been having the same effect with the social? Well, you know, call it out as a Facebook with, you know, stopping you from posting because you've posted too many times or you've been liking commenting and sharing too often and I think, times or you've been liking commenting and sharing too often and I think again, it just hurts everybody.
Speaker 2:I, I think, we've all been suffering with it and it does hurt everybody, but it all boils down to the money, money, money side that facebook wants to make, doesn't it? And, and fair play, they're a business like. They've got to make money, but they're there, yeah yeah, but none of the indie communities like rich and rolling in, are they?
Speaker 1:they're not yeah, I mean the indie artists are, you know, some of the most passionate, dedicated um you know people to their craft that you know they get hit at different levels and you, you're definitely not in it for the money no, of course you're not.
Speaker 2:No, no, it'd be nice right that?
Speaker 1:yeah, and I'm sure everybody wants to be that way but, it certainly hasn't played out that way between you know spotify and facebook and I don't know if everybody's having as many issues on instagram. But for the indie artists who already struggles to be able to have their music um heard and played and people recognize them as they should be recognized, and then to have Facebook just keep shutting people down, indie artists down, must be really frustrating.
Speaker 2:And they're all positive, aren't they? In the indie community, it's positive comments that are getting stopped and things. Yeah, yeah, so they can come to your bar, which I like as long as only free to sleep on the pool table at any one time, the only rule I've got but you are always supporting, you are always posting other indie artists, you are always being you know, lifting them up and giving them their share do of recognition all the time.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, I play guitar. I've never confessed to be a professional musician or anything like that. I know how hard it is to play that instrument well and I know what dedication it takes to produce a song, a good song. And some people don't realize how much talent they got. I really don't think they do, and they deserve that recognition and that credit from as many people as they can get it from that recognition and that credit from as many people as they can get it from.
Speaker 1:Oh, I agree, because there's so many talented musicians, bands, solos out there that, um, you know, really work hard and to be knocked down, um, you know that just one, one negative person could, you know, you know, ruin somebody's whole persona, exactly, yes, yes, and that there is just so, like I said before, there's so much talent.
Speaker 2:I listen to bands. I think I might as well put my guitar down because I cannot compete with that level and it's awesome.
Speaker 1:It is awesome it is awesome, but don't quit no, no, not going to.
Speaker 2:You're going to put up with me for a little while longer oh, good, good, we're good, we're good.
Speaker 1:We're happy to hear that. So let me just go back to Malata, carmody, real quick. Did you like the process? Were you happy with the outcome?
Speaker 2:I loved the process and I like people to be honest and it's very hard to be honest, not in a negative way, but in a positive way. People try to lift each other up and this, that and the other, but sometimes it's nice to have a partial review of your work.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think the way they do it is working out really well for the indie artist. Because my next question would be to you what do you think works best for the indie artist to get the most exposure, and Milana Carmody Reviews being one of those people that are able to do that for you oh, definitely, I think the listening public like a review of uh someone who they, they follow or whatever, and uh yeah, so the review is worth its weight in gold. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:What other exposures would you tell an indie artist try to get? I would definitely go the YouTube route, I think. Try and learn how YouTube works as well and I'm still working on that and get your music out there, Even if you have to stop Joe Bloggs in the street and say have you heard a burlap band now. Now you have it. I've done that many times. Yeah, I have.
Speaker 1:Yes, yeah, get that music out there yeah, you have to be your own self-promoter as well, otherwise what's? You know you're not going to no you, you've got no one's doing it for you unless you're paying.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you shouldn't be doing that.
Speaker 1:No one's doing it for you unless you're paying yeah, you shouldn't be doing that no, and then, and, but on the other side of it, then it ends up being now. I just I just know for r2rb the postings that I do on a weekly basis.
Speaker 2:It's a lot oh, yes, yes, yes, if I, if I went to spotify and advertised burlap, I don't know how much the ads are, but I couldn't get the streams to pay for that ad.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's crazy.
Speaker 2:And, like I said, I don't think we're all rolled in it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's why you know, with like with Mulatta, harmony Reviews and R2RB and indie artists like yourself, because there are so many that do do, do you know something? A little bit similar to what you do is that you know they do the playlist or they talk somebody else up or they take the time to you know, say, oh, you know, listen to this song, it's you know and, and talk about that in indie artist yeah, no, no.
Speaker 2:The community is big. There's a lot of people in it and there's a lot of people with a lot of family members and things that may catch on to a band or or an artist yes, yeah, you just never know.
Speaker 1:So what advice would you give to a new indie artist starting out?
Speaker 2:communicate with the community, interact with people. They're nice people, they're all in the same boat, doing the same thing, and they'll be very supportive.
Speaker 1:I can. I can honestly say you are absolutely 100% right on that with the communication and the indie artist. I said all the time. The indie artist community happens to be one of the biggest communities that support each other all the time yes, yes, that's very, very true, yeah yeah and they are all.
Speaker 2:We are all in the same boat.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it's, it's it's not an easy um place to be as an indie artist because of all the other things that go on with it. Um, you know, like we were talking before. You know it's it's you. You aren't heard enough. You're, you're, um, there's so many. You know, like we were talking before. You know it's it's you, you aren't hurt enough. You're, you're um, there's so many. You know different indie artists out there. Um and there I think there needs to be more platforms more platforms?
Speaker 2:yes, yes, definitely not. Not everybody is ever going to get hurt, are they? That's just not going to happen in the real world right but yeah, I don't think we should be stuck with what we've had for 50 years. I don't think that's the way to go. People don't get educated by what's out there.
Speaker 1:No, no, I agree. Have you collaborated with any other indie artists or do you have anything set up to collaborate?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I've collaborated with several indie artists across the globe, so we've got Mr Harrow, frank Farrell, nick Delicato from.
Speaker 1:New York.
Speaker 2:Yes, there's some collaborations going on. Oh, very good I've got another one going on, but I'm not going to mention that at the moment.
Speaker 1:All right. Well, we'll just have to stay tuned and follow you.
Speaker 2:The Burlows band is definitely international yeah, and then.
Speaker 1:So with the technology today you are able to go around the world to collaborate and put music together that at one time you would never been able to do that without being in the studio it's easy, easy to do it and it does add a massive difference to your song or songs and you suddenly think, oh, I never thought my song could sound like that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, right Eye and ear opening, yeah.
Speaker 1:Do you think that also helps give the indie artist a larger audience or opens up more for you?
Speaker 2:Yes, yeah, definitely. I think everybody gets something out of that arrangement with followers, fans, admirers or whatever you want to call people. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:I was talking to another indie artist, too, about the same thing, and they said that as well. You know, it just opens up another avenue, another road of people that you perhaps might not have, you know, had contact with without the collaboration. So that's cool.
Speaker 2:Now the collaborations. I'm 100% behind those, yeah that's great.
Speaker 1:And that we're able to do it nowadays, that's that is for sure. So what's next for Burlow's band?
Speaker 2:I'm going to continue supporting the community, definitely, and I'm learning, so we will improve on that, I think, but I want to go live this year, so that's my ambition. Live on Facebook or live no, I'll go live on Facebook, YouTube in the local pub.
Speaker 1:Oh, the local pub. So you're going to go live out into the community? Yeah, I am. Yes, oh cool, have you set?
Speaker 2:anything up yet. No, no, no, I'm too busy advertising everybody else if this is true, you do do that oh my gosh what part of the uk are you?
Speaker 1:are you?
Speaker 2:I. I'm in canterbury kent, so it's right down south yeah, cool, yes, nice, all right.
Speaker 1:So do you have a lot of little pubs where you are?
Speaker 2:uh, not as many as they used to be, but yeah, there are, there are. There's quite a big music scene around here actually.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, open mic nights and things as well, yeah, oh wow, I keep keep saying I have to, uh, uh, get my passport. My passport needs to be updated because it's like I need to just go around the world and check in with everybody and visit.
Speaker 2:You can visit, but I've only got one bedroom. That's what I told everybody about.
Speaker 1:I said that to Charles of history about going to Paris. I was like, yeah, I want to visit there again.
Speaker 2:That's one awesome artist. Oh my gosh, yeah, he is Paris. I was like, yeah, I want to visit there again. That's one awesome artist.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, yeah, he is good, I like him.
Speaker 2:Respect to that one.
Speaker 1:Absolutely and respect to you.
Speaker 2:Thank you very much.
Speaker 1:You are welcome. I'm so glad that we were able to connect. How and where can everybody find you?
Speaker 2:You can find me on Facebook and YouTube. Okay, yeah, I've given up with Instagram and things.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I don't do too much Instagram but it's connected. If I do the postings from the planner, it'll go over to Instagram. Otherwise I'm a Facebook girl myself. Yeah, is there anything else that you would like to touch on or share that I haven't mentioned?
Speaker 2:I just want to want to thank people like yourself, but then the the internet radio stations or any radio station, any reviewers out there, anybody creating playlists. Thank you very much for your support.
Speaker 1:You are welcome and thank you for joining me this evening. Much for your support. You are welcome and thank you for joining me this evening. I, I, you know it's. This is what. This is my therapy.
Speaker 2:Yeah, good good.
Speaker 1:It is. I'm always feel. I always feel, I always feel good after, after an interview, so I appreciate you being here. Thank you so much, steve, and thank you Everybody. Please go find him, like him, comment and share Berlo's Band and join the Berlo's Bar. You'll have some fun, believe me. All right, steve. Thank you so much. Don't hang up yet. Hold on one second. Yeah, let me just stop the recording.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
