Rising Stars: Meet Casey Allen of Four Oaks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Allen.

Hi Casey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was 11, my parents bought me a drum set. I had never asked for one, but it immediately lit a fire in me for music that I didn’t realize existed. I suppose my parents saw it in me before I did. I took lessons for a few years with Ivan Hampden (Luther Vandross, Beyonce, Usher) and graduated high school a semester early so I could tour with my band at the time, Embracing Goodbye. We eventually signed a record deal with Korn’s Brian Head Welch’s label, Driven Records, in 2010.

A few years later, I became half of a folk-pop duo called Season & Snare. We received a Shorty Award from Al Roker at the Times Square Center in 2016 – garnering the attention and support of Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul to aid along the way.

After Season & Snare ended, I felt like it was time to give a solo career a try. I wanted to be able to do things exactly how I wanted to do them – at my own pace, no compromising, writing the most honest music I could write at the time, and not being tied down to any particular sound. That’s where HeartMouth was born – my current alternative pop project. I just signed a record deal with SoCal Records, and I’ll have my first label release with them coming out in the next couple of months. I was self-releasing before that. I also signed a publishing deal last year with OML Sync in London.

I’ve also been teaching music for the past 13 years, both privately at my home studio and Village Music School here in the Triangle. I sometimes try to write for sync/tv/film as well, and I currently have a song featured in The Archer, a movie that premiered at Sundance and is now streaming on Hulu.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
Whew – where to even begin? Haha. Every career path is filled with obstacles, but being a full-time musician is no easy road. For one, I’ve been taught how to budget my finances since there are many times that finances can be stretched thin. This career path isn’t always the most stable regarding steady income. Being a full-time musician means that you are constantly told “no” when trying out and submitting for different labels, blogs, playlists, radio stations, and shows. For instance, I’ve been told “no” about 15 times or so just this week alone. When we get a rare “yes,” that’s a very big deal for us, and we enjoy sharing our good news and hoping that our loved ones celebrate with us.

On a personal level, one of my main obstacles has been my battle with my lungs. I’ve had my fair share of surgeries and chest tubes, and I need these lungs to work correctly to be able to sing and play the way I do. Because of my genetics, I’ve had my fair share of spontaneous lung collapses – 4. After my last collapse, I made a vow to myself to appreciate every breath and not hold back on things I want to say to people or things I want to sing about because being able to do those things is a gift that’s easy to take for granted.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist that writes performs, and teaches. As an artist, I’m known for my roles in Embracing Goodbye, Season & Snare, and HeartMouth, achieving label support, placements in film, and a Shorty Award. As a teacher, I’m known for specializing in ear training (trusting your ear with a strong backing of music theory) and spending more time learning how to be creative as an individual. I prefer teaching students how to write original music instead of spending too much time covering songs that already exist. It may sound general, but the proudest moments in my career are when I’ve been told that my music or teaching styles have impacted someone’s life in an unforgettable way. That’s the whole point.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?
Be prepared to be told “no” a lot. Ignore it every single time and keep pushing. Practice your craft every single day. Positive affirmations to yourself are crucial in a world that can treat you as a disposable product. Also, take time away from your craft and find hobbies outside of music. It refreshes your brain and brings balance to your life. I love hiking and camping. Trust your gut, and if something feels wrong, don’t feel obligated to do it. When I first started, I wished I understood patience more. I also wish I had understood the power of networking when I was younger. Building a good contact list and positive relationships with those contacts can go a long way. I recently reached out to someone in the industry I met 12 years ago and probably hadn’t talked to since. Also, don’t be a know-it-all. Be open to learning from people.

Pricing:

• Private lessons (30 mins) – $120/month
• Private lessons (45 mins) – $150/month
• Private lessons (60 mins) – $200/month
• Production/Songwriting/Recording/Mixing – Contact for pricing

Contact Info:

• Website: www.heartmouthmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartmouthmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartmouthmusic
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/heartmouthmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM5LwE2tpeEEyzFtACsnc0g
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartmouthofficial

Image Credits
Kevin La Chiana Kevin DeJong Austin Spruill