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The Black Books Cafe' meets Una Barry (3/03)

Listen to some of Una's songs while you read the interview.

Check out this mini mix of some of her work while you read.

In an effort to get Baltimore to recognize their own artist we bring you a songstress

that we 1st saw at an "Oasis" party a few years back.  Since then we've heard her

voice on tracks like "We lift our hands at the Sanctuary" with DJ Oji.  Also "In my

arms" on the Yellorange label.  More recently she can be heard on the b-sOuL(DJ

POPE) full length cd called "My Way".  The track on the cd is called "I'll be there

 for You".  We felt then, as a spectator, that we were hearing a jewel in the rough,

 as her voice was as rich as the mocha flavored coffee that people drink at the

 Starbucks we often work on this website at.  So continuing our series of

interviews with Baltimore artists, John Johnson & the BBC  proudly bring you Una

Barry.

 

 
Are you originally from the Balto./D.C. area? If not how did you come to settle in the area?
No. I am a native NY'er but moved as a child to Pennsylvania. When my parents divorced, I followed my Dad to Baltimore about 14 years ago. I've been addicted to Baltimore ever since.

How did you hook up with DJ’s Pope & Oji?
I met them about 9 yrs. ago through a mutual friend of ours who turned me on to "underground music."

A lot of people in the music industry get frustrated if they don’t gain large monetary or world wide recognition right away. What keeps you, or has kept you, motivated as far as singing goes?
I have never wished for a monstrous amount of money nor do I need to be the most popular. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to make a good living singing. It's just that happiness has always come first for me. If I continue to work hard …stay focused and treat people right, great things will happen for me. I'm sure of it cause God proves that to us every day. Self-motivation is something I am working on. Many people help to motivate me. My audience definitely keeps me going. They treat me special which motivates me to make more music and keep them dancing and smiling!!! Pope has pushed me in the past. And especially my new working relationship with Oji. He's taught me a lot about the music industry and always expects more from me. A positive and supportive relationship has played an important role in keeping me going. "Thanks 4 bein' in my corner Donnie"
   

The first time we saw you was a few years ago at the “Oasis” party in Club Orpheus in Baltimore. Marti St. Michaels announced to

 the crowd that it was one of your first live House performances. How do you think you have grown as an artist since then?
Oh man! What a night that was. I believe I have grown a great deal and continue growing with the love & support of the listeners. The

 response I got from the audience was so amazing to me. It was my first taste of a FAMILY atmosphere. I've had an appetite for it

ever since.

We know that you write or co-write a lot of the songs you do. Since we are also a literature website, we would like to know what

inspires/motivates you to write and in what setting puts you in the writing mood?
I write a lot about my own personal experiences. But sometimes I see things happening in the community or even experiences that

my friends tell me about and that may trigger a song or maybe just a hook. Then I'll build on that. There is no particular setting that

motivates me. A thought may just pop into my head and I start writing. Now… when I'm writing in the studio, my thoughts may freeze

up a bit. It's probably the pressure of getting the song done. Or it may just be producers down my back, rushing me. "Just kidding

"O". Seriously speaking, it's refreshing to have good chemistry flowing in the studio. In my sessions with Oji there's a lot of creative

energy and next thing you know, we've written a song, and then another.

One day browsing the internet we came across an Asian language House website and the DJ was holding up his top 3 singles. The

#1 single was “We lift our hands at the Sanctuary”. Do you get the impression that people from this area don’t know how known

(world-wide) a lot of Baltimore House artists like you are?
Many probably don't know. Honestly… I initially didn't know people listened to me over seas either. Look at Ultra. She's like Michael

Jackson over seas. It's unfortunate that we don't have the listening audience that Europe and Asia do.  But we are growing and with

people like you John, more and more artists will get the exposure.
What does Una like to do in her spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my family. We do Movies, Museums, Road trips, or just go to the park. I run around on the swings and

slide like a big kid. We recently went to see The Lion King at the IMAX Theater with the 3-d screen and all. You gotta check it out. I

also love far away trips. I'm deathly afraid of planes but I struggle through it. Speaking of planes, I'll be flying to LA on Feb. 15th to

perform. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm excited.!!

How excited do you think you’ll be when god selects you to do your 1st full length cd/album?
God has already blessed me in so many ways!!! But to give you a heads-up, Oji and I are currently working in the studio on some

great stuff. You may just see a CD coming soon!!!!!!  I'll definitely let you know.  John, thanks for this opportunity. I've enjoyed

answering your questions, and hope that the UG Family has gotten to know me a little better. I can't wait to see everyone again soon.