Jeff Beck
John Frusciante
David Gilmour
Allan Holdsworth
Tony Iommi
Eric Johnson
Nels Cline
Joe Satriani
Johnny Marr
Ry Cooder

Guiding Principles

Not Copy
Your marketing materials aren’t just “copy”—they are your official face and voice that you present to the world.

Avoid Hyperbole
Even if you sincerely believe that your music is “groundbreaking” or “visionary,” using words such as these is nearly always unnecessary and frequently counterproductive.

Avoid Clichés
Clichés can dilute your message and make it forgettable. Thoughtful, precise language ensures your story feels fresh and genuine.

Be Concise
Employ every word necessary to tell your story—and not a single word more.

Be Authentic
Your Artistic Voice should reflect who you truly are, aligned with your values and how your audience perceives you.

Be Consistent
Once you establish your authentic voice, consistency is key—it builds trust and reinforces your identity.

Be Relatable
Speak to your audience clearly, approachably, and without unnecessary jargon. As Mark Twain said, “Don’t use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do.”

Appear Educated
Polished and professional materials reflect your artistic credibility—good grammar, punctuation, and spelling go a long way.

Artists

More than a few artists experience difficulty effectively presenting themselves and their work to the world. Some would rather focus solely on their art, while others may struggle to articulate their full value or risk overhyping it.

During my 12 years as an editor at Guitar Player magazine, I had the opportunity to pick the brains of hundreds of musicians—from emerging artists to legends such as David Gilmour, John Frusciante, Bill Frisell, John McLaughlin, and Tony Iommi.

Telling their stories taught me to grasp and clearly convey the essence of who they were, what they were doing, and why. Being a musician myself made that easier.

My writings demonstrate my ability to tell artists’ stories, and together we can craft effective and coordinated messaging to tell yours.

Services Include

  • Artist & Band Bios
  • Website Content
  • Press Releases
  • Social Profiles
  • Email Blasts
  • Newsletters
  • Album Liner Notes
  • Album One-Sheets

I can also help you update, edit, or otherwise improve your current materials.

Contact
Barry’s real-world musical experience and educated research—as a recording musician, as a composer, as a published author, and as the best kind of guitar+tech nerd—certainly mark him as uniquely qualified to advise and help other musicians.
David Torn
David TornGuitarist, Composer, Texturalist, Producer (David Bowie, k.d. lang, Tim Berne, John Legend)
Barry has been writing articulate and perceptive pieces about music and culture for decades. It comes as no surprise that he is inaugurating this project, wherein he helps artists and inventors in the worlds of music and sound tell their stories.
Nels Cline
Nels ClineGuitarist, Composer, Sonic Adventurist (Wilco, Nels Cline Singers, Consentrik Quartet)
Barry has got a serious brain on him, a miles-wide streak of (and appreciation for) innovation and creativity, a true Renaissance Man palette of available skills, a ferociously reliable work ethic, and is an eternally loyal friend and collaborator.
Mike Keneally
Mike KeneallyGuitarist, Keyboardist, Vocalist, Composer (Frank Zappa, Devin Townsend, Joe Satriani)
Barry is a thoughtful and insightful writer with a deep understanding of music and the music industry. He knows what questions to ask in order to prompt meaningful conversation and content, and he is a great connector of people and ideas. I have 100% trust in him and his work.
Mary Halvorson
Mary HalvorsonGuitarist, composer, MacArthur "Genius" Grant recipient
Barry possesses a vast knowledge of music and recording—and one of his greatest strengths is helping others clearly communicate their vision to a potential audience. Barry is a valuable asset within the contemporary musical landscape.
Jeff Schroeder
Jeff SchroederGuitarist (formerly with Smashing Pumpkins)
I’ve been reading Barry Cleveland’s writing for more than 20 years and his thoughtful, deeply informed approach has influenced the way I listen to and think about music. I’ve also been inspired by his adventurous spirit and originality as a musician.
Paul Richards
Paul RichardsGuitarist with California Guitar Trio and Robert Fripp String Quintet
The questions Barry posed to me were different in nature from those of the many previous interviewers I’d spoken with. His ideas are formed from the point of view of a music practitioner who happens to be able to use words to describe the indescribable.
Rez Abbasi
Rez AbbasiGuitarist, Composer, Educator, Guggenheim Fellow
Barry is one of the most talented and multifaceted individuals I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I've served as editor for two international music publications, and I can attest that Barry is one of today's finest music journalists.
Joe Gore
Joe GoreMusician, Writer, Music Tech Geek
Barry writes with deep experience of music, music making, and equipment—something that has largely become a lost art at this point. I highly recommend him to anyone that can benefit from his unique expertise.
Tim Motzer
Tim MotzerSonic Guitarist, Improviser, Composer, Visual Artist
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