PARKER BARROW – AN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT AND INTERVIEW
By Ralph Beauchamp
Parker Barrow is a Southern rock – blues powerhouse based out of Nashville that is ready to explode. AMP sits down with drummer/co-founder, Dylan Turner for this cool interview.
Parker Barrow‘s sound is an amazing hybrid. They start with a gritty blend of Southern rock and add doses of blues and outlaw country. In addition, Parker Barrow takes that mixture and updates it in order to create a groove that feels both fresh and modern. Their songs are lively but still carry emotional gravity. Parker Barrow features driving vocals and smashing guitar riffs and solos. Add a propulsive backbeat and Parker Barrow is ready to conquer the world.
The band is comprised of co-founders Dylan Turner (Drums) and Megan Kane (Vocals). Eric Bender is their guitarist and musical director who steadily steers the ship to new aural heights. Will Tipton (Guitar), Kyle Priber (Bass) and Eric Safka (Keys) round out the lineup. Each member is a talented musician and brings deft to the ensemble.
Parker Barrow has just released a new single entitled “Blinded” that has a blazing Rolling Stones meets Janis Joplin vibe. “Blinded” is off their upcoming new album, Hold The Mash. Kane’s vocals are intensely swampy and full of raw power. Bender and Tipton’s guitars wail with sonic energy. Turner’s percussion hits hard while Priber’s bass is profoundly funky. Safka’s swirling keys just boosts the entire track’s organic aura. If “Blinded” is any indication, Hold The Mash will launch Parker Barrow straight into the stratosphere.
Dylan Turner was kind enough to sit with AMP for this cool interview.
AMP: How did Parker Barrow come together, and where does the name come from?
DYLAN: Parker Barrow was an evolution of a previous band that I started when I moved to Nashville. After the singer of that band quit, I reached out to Megan to join the band, which she agreed to. We knew instantly we had a bond that was deeper than music and a shared calling that could not be ignored. As we continued to tour and make music together, we knew it would be important for the name of the band to tell our story. Living life on the run, chasing after our dreams against all odds. Just the two of us.
Through watching some movie about Bonnie and Clyde, we saw some interesting and unexpected parallels between our story and theirs. The variables of a life of continuous movement and the only constant being the love we not only shared for each other but the love we shared for a common goal. After joining forces in 2019, we have since added Alex Bender on lead guitar in 2023 and added Will Tipton (guitar), Eric Safka (keys), and Kyle Priber (bass) as full-time members in 2025 to round out the band.
AMP: How do you balance Southern rock influences with a modern edge?
DYLAN: It’s not something we really focus on too much. I mean, we have our influences that naturally come out in our music, but we try to stay true to ourselves in our writing. We write what makes us feel good in hopes that it does the same for someone else.
AMP: Are there any unexpected artists or genres that inspire you?
DYLAN: I’m not sure there’s anything unexpected on the surface. Most of our influences are 60’s / 70’s blues rock bands, but one of my favorite things is when you do find inspiration in something out of the ordinary. Whether it’s an element from a pop song or a theme thread through a song of worship, it’s important to always be ready to receive inspiration when it comes.
AMP: What does your typical songwriting process look like?
DYLAN: It’s always different for us. Sometimes it starts with a word and sometimes it starts with a riff. It’s been fun for Alex and me to collaborate over the past few years. The more we do, the more we find the ideas we work on separately tend to fit together when we bring our thoughts to the table.
For me personally, I’ve never sat down with the aim to write a song. It’s never been a chore or something I have to do. For me, I feel blessed to be inspired to create. I believe that God puts me where he needs me to experience life in a way that inspires me to create. In addition, I just hope to be open to receiving and able to capture in a way that is for His glory.
AMP: Are your songs more personal or storytelling driven?
DYLAN: Everything I write comes from a place of personal experience. Sometimes it’s helpful to use storytelling to convey the message of my personal experience so that it will hopefully make the subject more relatable. The storytelling is just the vehicle for the experience to come to life in a song.
AMP: Your new album Hold the Mash drops in July. Can you give us a little insight into the release?
DYLAN: Hold The Mash is a collection of songs we’ve been working on over the last couple years. A handful of them have been released as singles and there’s another handful that are new. Hold The Mash is a true blue Southern Rock n Roll record. No fluff, just straight to the point Rock n Roll
AMP: How would you describe a Parker Barrow show to someone who’s never seen you before?
DYLAN: Parker Barrow shows are full energy! It’s sorta like a freight train. Once it gets up to speed, it ain’t slowing down. Most of the show is improvised, so you’ll never get the same show twice. We try to live on the wire, pushing ourselves to our limits to the point that sometimes we don’t even know where it’s going next.
AMP: What’s been the biggest challenge breaking through in today’s music scene?
DYLAN: We don’t really think about it too much or put too much pressure on it. We love what we do and know that if it’s God’s will for us to do this, he will provide all we need to continue doing his work. Also, we just try to be true to ourselves and let the cards fall where they fall.
AMP: What would be a dream collaboration for Parker Barrow?
DYLAN: There are a ton of bands we’d love to work with, but I think The Black Crowes would be at the top of the list. They are a huge influence for us, and to work with them in any capacity would be a dream come true!
AMP: If Parker Barrow had a theme song (besides your own), what would it be?
DYLAN: Great question! For us, I think it would be something goofy like a 90’s sitcom theme. We truly are a family on the road. With many different personalities and backgrounds, we’re able to come together not only to co-exist but to thrive around each other. We’re all pretty goofy and love to have fun, but are also so thankful to have each other to get through the hard times. So for those reasons, maybe our theme song would be the Family Matters or Full House theme. Lol
Views: 0
